Mark’s Kaddy Korner

Masters Week – Dad’s Surgery

I finished last week’s Kaddy Korner just before the bottom dropped out of my Ft. Myers flight. My Ginger ale hit the ceiling landing in my lap and the guy sitting behind me asked if his computer hit me in the back of my head, it was also airborne. Next to an emergency landing in San Diego early in my career this was the worst flight experience of my life. As I walked off the plane I thanked the pilot for the exciting ride and the flight attendant said, “It was only a 150 foot drop, you don’t get that at Disneyworld.”

Another week off but a lot going on and I tried to follow the Tiger parade through Augusta as much as possible. The cabin was still intact, Zach chased a few critters from the shed, and when we left on Thursday snow was collecting on the deck. Everywhere I went folks wanted to know my thoughts about Tiger. How would he finish at the Masters? What was going on in his personal life? Would Stevie keep his job? What did you think about the press conference on Monday?

My Tiger Take        

He’s coming back, not when I thought, but at a place that will provide all the protection he needs. Augusta National, once you step behind the clubhouse, is off limits to press, photographers, and paparazzi. There may be an occasional discreet interview on the lawn under the oak and the Masters allows their networks limited access to the players but once a player leaves the driving range or parking lot, passes through the clubhouse and walks to the putting greens, he is off limits to the patrons. There are no autographs behind the clubhouse only golf.

Masters – A Caddie’s Day at Augusta National

Every day at Augusta is different, but they all start with a meandering walk from the parking lot behind the busy souvenir building to the caddy locker room. It feels like you are sneaking in the back door; maybe that is the plan. If you are lucky, have a house in the neighborhood, you can walk in off Berckman Road and avoid all the traffic. Augusta traffic is some of the worst on tour; paying an extra $500 a week for a house close by is definitely worth it.

 

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Masters – Changes at Augusta

I started this article about 1 o’clock because I wanted it finished before air time. During editing, copying, pasting, and critiquing there was some unfortunate deleting, definitely pilot error. Maybe the Augusta committee was looking over my shoulder and hit the delete button; my comments were not complimentary. I’ve got to blame my miscue on something else, isn’t that what every golfer does after a misplaced shot?

The Masters Ticket

There may not be a more revered ticket in sports. I take that back; there is not a more revered ticket in all of sports. They are passed on through wills, bickered over during divorce proceedings, and the prized possession of any scalper working the Washington Road sidewalk.  

This announcement comes directly from the official Masters web site:                  

Tournament or “Series” Badges (Thursday through Sunday) have been sold to those on our patron list which was closed due to demand in 1972. A waiting list began in 1972, and was closed in 1978. It reopened in 2000, and it too is now closed. No applications for “Series” Badges are currently being accepted.

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My first year on tour, 1988, I went to the Mississippi Masters in Hattiesburg, MS instead of the real deal. I picked up Mike Nicolette in the Waffle House parking lot, spent the days caddying and watching the Masters telecast whenever possible. The caddies would gather at the motel bar, watch the tube, and share Augusta stories. Nobody wanted to be in Hattiesburg; everyone’s heart was at Augusta National. Next year, I’d be there, hopefully.

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Everybody told me to go to the Post Office, someone would help me with accomadations. My duffel bag was slung over my shoulder and I went searching for the bar. Usually, at every tournament site there is a caddy bar. You can find your buddies and pick their brain, what’s left of it, about a cheap motel, restaraunt, or general knowledge about the area. I wasn’t expecting this treatment, but it sure made my week easier.