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The Spring Ritual At Augusta


   Hey, everyone. I watched several hours of the play from Augusta National today. Always a pleasure to see the Masters. It sort of makes me melancholy, to see the place. I worked in Augusta for several years. I enjoyed it and made a lot of money, a rare combination. I feel like I made a mistake when I left, but that's one of many in my life.
    When I arrived in Augusta I knew nothing about golf and cared little for the sport. I remember arriving in town late one evening. I went to a steakhouse and saw  paintings of Bobby Jones and Augusta National. I remember remarking to the waitress that it seemed a golf-centered town. She was polite enough to smile and agree. I said that I had noticed that I had came into town on Bobby Jones Expressway and she talked about Mr. Jones a little.
    Later, I worked with John Daly's dad for a while.  A friend of mine said,"Jim's got a boy that is a scratch golfer." I didn't know what that was but I assumed it was a good thing.
     Every year while I was there I was offered the chance to go to the practice rounds. I was fanatical about other things then and politely refused. I can scarcely tell you how I have kicked myself in the rear for missing the chance to walk those beautiful grounds.
    The young guard is firmly ensconced on the leader board thus far. Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, and Shane Lowry are doing well. I almost typed Zach Lowry, because the Irishman reminds me of my favorite country singer. (Zach Brown) Ha, ha.
    I felt bad for Ernie Els when he took about seven putts on a single hole today. I really admired his demeanor. Spieth plays so well from the front that it must put pressure on contenders if they have a bad first round. However, Ernie is a guy that will just keep plugging along. Just showing up can put you into some good situations when others go to pieces, as Nick Faldo, and Ernie Els can attest.
     I mentioned Jason Day a moment ago. I like that Aussie bloke. I don't have much problem with it now, but I used to have to deal with vertigo. It is so very scary, nauseating and embarrassing. To fight through it the way he did leaves me with tremendous respect for the young man. You notice that his health problem hit him just before his final breakthrough in the major? How typical of life to try to rob us of a blessing by some such stratagem at a critical time. But he persevered and is now the #1 player in the world.
   Sad to see that Fred Couples wasn't there today. I surmised that the chronic back pain has hindered him again.
    By the way, I like that gentle "Master's" music that CBS and ESPN plays during highlights. But man. When they started the telecast today and were playing a little rock, it grated on me. Often time on ESPN's sports commentary shows like NFL Live, Sportscenter and many others, they play music while the guys are talking. They seem to have to talk over the music. I see this sort of thing a lot in movies and television shows now and I abhor it. Are they that insecure about saying something worth listening to? Sorry for the peevishness. Looking forward to tomorrow's play. I'm CE Wills.
    
     
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