A big three-part competition for junior players was introduced at Augusta this year. The First Annual National Finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt contest was an undeniable success. It was a perfect beginning to a full Masters week. Masters Chairman Billy Payne proclaimed that the game of golf needed to be grown and this was an effort to continue interest in the game. The Golf Channel televised the event live. Young male and female golfers in different age groups appeared just as serious and talented as those seen on the next Sunday of competition. Previous champions Adam Scott , Bubba Watson and Fred Couples appeared to encourage and congratulate the participants.
The big three female winners were: Kelly Xu (the first ever female winner at the Augusta National) in the 7-9 age division for girls, Lucy Li, girls, 10-11 and Hunter Pate, girls, 14-15. The big three male winners were Treed Huang, boys, 7-9, Bryson Bianco, boys, 12-13, and Patrick Welch, boys, 14-15. The finalists hailed from Florida, California, Texas, Nevada and Rhode Island. (Over seventeen thousand hopefuls had signed up for preliminary competitions. Qualifiers were held in 19 states and the District of Columbia.)
Another big three is the annual Par 3 Tournament on Wednesday of Masters week. Clifford Roberts, co-founder of The Augusta National Golf Club had the idea for The Par 3 competition. It was a stroke of genius. Watching the legends play alongside the rest of the field is one of the biggest draws of the tourney. And yet another big three, perhaps you have heard of them, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player never disappoint the expectations of thousands of patrons. Their individual and collective competitive natures are alive and well. With smiles as big as the moon, these three gentleman laughed, entertained and by God, competed.
Then Thursday morning the big three exited the clubhouse to thunderous applause as they appeared on the tee of the first hole as honorary starters of the 78th Masters Golf tournament. Gary Player has three green jackets. Arnold Palmer has four green jackets. Jack Nicklaus has six green jackets. Respect for those accomplishments brought thousands of patrons to the early morning tee time to witness the legends in action. The King, Arnold Palmer age 84, drove his ball straight down the fairway. The Black Knight, Player, age 78, hit a drive a little beyond the first shot. The Golden Bear, Nicklaus, age 74 sent his drive even beyond Player's ball. History. Respect. They dominated the game. They are The Masters Golf Tournament. There wasn't a dry eye around. Some women wept too.
Washington Road, Magnolia Lane and the Butler Cabin are a big three. Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw and Fred Couples. Bunkers, greens and fairways. Pimento cheese, azaleas and pine trees. Matt Kuchar, Jonas Blixt and Miguel Angel Jimenez. Craig Stadler, Kevin Stadler and Jordan Spieth. Rickie Fowler, Freddie "Boom Boom" Couples and returning Aussie champ Adam Scott. And there was a big three missing on the final Sunday: Tiger, Phil and the Eisenhower tree. Tiger was cut in surgery. Phil didn't make the cut. The Eisenhower tree was cut down after a vicious ice storm took its toll. ( Can't you just hear President Eisenhower singing At Last ) ?
Jimenez, age 50, played amazing golf for any age. Couples, age 54, always seems to be in the hunt and played incredibile golf. Meet Jordan Spieth, age 20, playing in his first Masters. Could we see a birth certifcate? His vision on the course was phenomenal. His play was awesome. His presence and composure were unbelievable.
And then there's Bubba. A University of Georgia graduate, he won the Masters in 2012 and sobbed on the 18th green overcome with emotion knowing his wife and newly adopted son were awaiting him at home. But this time, they were just a very few feet away. Watson had played consistent and gutsy golf. Bubba golf they call it. And Bubba Golf had just resulted in another Masters title and another green jacket.
Bubba sank his last putt to tally an -8 at the 78th playing of The Masters Golf Tournament. Tiny Caleb Watson toddled on to the green headed straight for his daddy. Bubba scooped him up in to his arms and they were soon joined by Angie. There they were in a three-part embrace as tight and love- filled as humanly possible. Records will show Spieth and Watson as the final group. In fact, the final group on the 18th was Bubba, Angie and Caleb Watson. The big three.
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