With Augusta just around the corner it got me thinking what I`ve witnessed over the last 3 decades. Ten years ago I went to the Masters and watched the greats Arnie, Jack and Gary play the par 3 event. I saw the amazing feature that is Augusta golf course in all its splendour of incredible colour and hilly terrain and of course the sacred Amen corner. I witnessed on the course for 3 days, 3 people could not find a weed anywhere on the property! It is a truly amazing spectacle and that didn`t include the golf shots that were being hit on every hole and the super slick greens. I couldn`t fail to be excited just walking around the course.

  

In 1997, a new player started his quest to become best player in the world and lift the profile and standard of golf to an unimaginable level, one Tiger Woods. 

If you remember after all the hype about Tiger his first nine on Thursday was mediocre at best, he scored 40. Of course he followed that with a cool 6 under 30 on the back nine. He beat Nick Faldo into retirement that week and put Monty in his place. He went on to create the biggest winning margin and tied the best winning score. The rest as they say is history. Also that week, ironically if your name started with T. it was your week as the top 4 players were called Tiger, Tom, Tommy and Tom. A star was well and truly born to shine.

Ten years before that in 1987 saw one of the "greatest" Masters shots ever hit, with THAT pitch in the playoff. It was always Seve's birthday Masters week and the Spaniard was in a playoff with Greg Norman and Augusta native, Larry Mize, remember him? But alas for all Seve supporters he comfortably 3 putted No 10. It left Mize and The Shark in sudden death down the 11th. Mize just bailed out right avoiding the water beside the green, Norman was on the green poised to probably make par and win the coveted green jacket. 

But the Gods again punched The Shark bang on the hooter as Mize somehow chipped in for the win. Stunned was not the word, even Peter Allis didn`t know what to say.

Everyone has their own memories of Augusta and the Masters event. It truly is a great sporting spectacle.

Muirfield opens its doors... at last. 

After 273 years this golf club with arguably the No1 ranked course in the UK has become female friendly. After a second vote (92% in favour) the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers will be updating its golfing policy. After the vote in 2016 voted to remain all male membership, the Club lost its distinguished tag of being on the Open rota. An R and A spokesperson has now confirmed it will be reinstated and given The Championship to host in the future. Ladies have always been allowed to play as guests but not as a member. The vote will be with immediate effect but joining the Club isn`t so simple and could be 2 years before the first Lady is given a locker.

What are your thoughts on this? Answers on a postcard please.


 

Masters draw nearly full... 

As mentioned last week our Masters draw has been filling up quickly. If you would like one of the last 8 picks HURRY UP, they will undoubtedly be gone by Sunday. 

Thank you to those who replied to the rules survey I put out. The Majority thought nearly all the ideas put forward should be tried with the exception of the ball drop from close to the floor. It just proves that the rule changes need to be put in place, not just to attract new players and make the game more appealing but to increase the enjoyment for existing players like yourselves.


 

Qualifying completed for the foursomes competition... 

Many club golfers find foursomes a difficult game but not in the case of experienced pair Ronnie Wilkes and Steve Rooney. They lead the field in the latest qualifier played last weekend in what was more like May conditions. Sunshine and no wind made scoring a little easier in the alternate shot format. Other top qualifiers were "Fordies", Dave Tong and Carl Vanderhook, Colin Hodges and Issa Pooloo as well as a return to form for immediate past Captain John Charlick and Dave Pearton. The draw has thrown up some interesting first round ties. Glen Eastman needs to be on top form as he is playing against son, Woody. So no love lost in that one! Apparently "tournament favourites" Mike Lilley and James Irving are going all the way this year... although this was before finding out they were to play top qualifiers, Batman and Ronnie in the first round. Apparently their odds have since drifted to 40/1.



 
Course maintenance continues... 

Course manager, Perry has been busy with his staff coring and reseeding the greens on their annual maintenance programme. 

Just about every course goes through it, as Perry says

"you can`t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs"

As the pictures show, the holes are pretty severe but after the seed and top dressing and a little more warmth, things will rapidly improve.

  


 

England sealed the 6 Nations Championship thanks to Wales win in Cardiff Friday against Ireland. England themselves went onto overwhelm the plucky Scots team on the weekend. A win against Ireland in Dublin would give Eddie Jones team a Grand Slam and a new World record of straight wins, making them a formidable team and deserving of their place as No 2 in the world to New Zealand. Friday's game in Cardiff produced the game of the competition so far. 

It was nonstop from start to finish and I was lucky enough to be there and see the win thanks to Vice Captain, Irishman, Kevin Lyons. A great atmosphere as always with no trouble only humorous banter, unlike Spurs v Millwall where a fan took offence to a comment and acted inappropriately by punching him in the face! 

Cheltenham races have been on all week. Ideal racing conditions just don`t ask Andy how his horses ran! Or didn`t at times. 

Bay Hill this week as well and the opportunity for the players to honour Arnold Palmer. Surprisingly only 14 of the top 25 start, considering what Mr Palmer created, bringing golf to the average man in the street, making golf sexy with his charisma and putting fist fulls of dollars into player's pockets those not attending may regret their decision. Rory and Jason Day play as does Henrik Stenson in what will be a tribute to "The King". On the day Palmer died in September last year, Rorys caddie JP Fitzgerald was pocketing 1.5 million dollars as his win bonus at the Tour Championship. It took Palmer 15 years to accumulate that figure. Just about everyone who now plays probably owes Mr Palmer a big thank you in some way or other. 

Thanks Mr Palmer.