Staff Roundtable: All About the 2011 Masters

Before each major, The Sand Trap staff offers up our (supposedly) expert predictions. But when it comes to Augusta National and the Masters, there’s so much more to the event than winners and losers.

Today we held a virtual roundtable, weighing in on the history, tradition, and even controversies that make the Masters one of the highlights of the golf season.

What’s your favorite single Masters moment?

Ron Varrial: I’ve had few stronger influences on my golf game than Harvey Penick’s writing, so while I was still quite new to the game, it was Ben Crenshaw’s magical week that helped add to the mystique of Augusta and the bonds that golf can build. I can watch the clip from the 18th green and get misty to this day.

Justin Pucheu: Replays of Tiger chipping in at the 16th in 2005 still gives me chills. That was a great battle between Tiger and DiMarco, and DiMarco fought hard.

Alan Olsen: While I’ve played golf for over 30 years, I didn’t start watching the Masters until the late 1990s so I’ve missed a great deal of the history. For me, watching Tiger Woods obliterate the course in 1997 ranks the best I’ve seen.

Jamieson Weiss: It would have to be Tiger’s chip-in in 2005, that moment just had everything. Tension, close competition, two great players, and an amazing marketing opportunity for Nike.

Dave Koster
Still has to be Jack in 1986. That was probably my first real memory of the Masters and I didn’t fully comprehend it at the time. Verne Lundquist’s screaming “Yes SIR!” has been etched in my memory.

George Promenschenkel
I was waiting tables in Hilton Head on a Saturday in April 1986. Golf wasn’t yet my favorite sport, but that didn’t really matter. Jack Nicklaus was from Ohio (my home state), and I’d watched him win time after time over the years (you know, when there wasn’t a football, baseball, or basketball game on). As I tried to provide decent service that day, table after table of middle-age guys and women in blue, fuchsia, aqua, and, yes, yellow golf shirts kept sitting down in my section, and they couldn’t help but just chuckle, shake their heads, and say “Nicklaus,” over and over, a little like the way people are saying VCU and Butler this week, only more reverently. It has stuck with me how into it all of these people were, like they had a connection somehow, like it was taking place just down the street and involved a friend of theirs.

Happily, I had that Sunday afternoon off work and got to watch for myself as Jack put the exclamation point on his career.

Donald MacKenzie
Ben Crenshaw burying his head in his hands after sinking the final putt of his improbable win in 1995. That was one of the most emotional, unexpected wins in the history of sport, coming days after the death of Ben’s longtime teacher, Harvey Penick.

Erik J. Barzeski
I was eight in 1986, but since I’m nearly Tiger Woods’ age, I remember staring at my computer (which doubled as my dorm room television) after Tiger Woods won by 12 in 1997 and thinking to myself “man, he’s basically my age, and I’m just some dope in college, and he’s doing that.” Tiger’s jaw-dropping effort humbled a lot of people, golf stars and otherwise, that day.

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Of the multiple Masters winners, who was the greatest Masters player of all time?

Ron Varrial: I know Jack Nicklaus has the most green jackets, but I’ll give the nod to Tiger Woods. Nicklaus captured the imagination of the golfing public, but Woods’ victories at Augusta transcended sports. He’s been drama unto himself, and even in last year’s non-victory, his return from hiatus and scandal couldn’t keep him from his best performance of a horrendous year.

Justin Pucheu: Tough call, but it’s between Nicklaus and Tiger. Nicklaus has more wins, but Tiger’s first win is the most dominant ever, going 18-under for a 12-shot victory. In Tiger’s four wins, he’s totaled 58-under, but in Jack’s six wins, he was a total of 42-under. Still, Jack won two more than Tiger. I guess for now it has to go to Jack, but Tiger’s history there isn’t finished yet.

Alan Olson: Jack Nicklaus has the most green jackets with six so he gets my vote. Arnold had an impressive run from 1958-1964, winning every other year, Jimmy Demaret won three times in seven years from 1940-1950 (no tournaments for three years due to WWII) and Tiger Woods has four wins from 1997-2005. Still, it’s hard to argue against the Golden Bear with six wins.

Jamieson Weiss: Jack Nicklaus. To win his sixth Masters at the age of 46 was just amazing. It’ll take something pretty spectacular for someone to pass him.

Dave Koster
Gotta be Jack. Phil and Tiger have a chance to catch him though.

George Promenschenkel
Is this really a question? Six Masters’ victories? Ring a bell?

Nicklaus’ fade didn’t fit the course but he hit it so high and putted so well, that it more than made up for it.

Donald MacKenzie
Arnold Palmer. He didn’t win the most Masters, but he owned — and still owns — the heart of the event.

Erik J. Barzeski
Until (and if) Tiger gets to seven or at least six, it’s Jack. Period. Honorable mentions would have to include Bobby Jones. 😉

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If you could go back and change one thing about Masters history, what would it be?

Ron Varrial: I’ll go the social route and say that I wish the Masters would have embraced players of all ethnicities and races from the start. The stories of unfair treatment and outright bigotry are disgraceful.

Justin Pucheu: I don’t know that there’s one single action or incident I’d change. Instead, I think their overall approach to broadcast media is like this weird double-edged sword, great in some ways, but just a little over the top in others. While it’s awesome that commercial interruption is limited, it seems that they restrict how much is actually shown on TV. The entire Gary McCord debacle was too much as well. While I understand the tournament commands an immense amount of respect and reverence, there’s something un-fun about taking yourself (or in this case, the tournament) that seriously. After all, this is a game, it is supposed to be fun.

Alan Olson: Roberto DeVicenzo signing an incorrect score card in 1968.

Jamieson Weiss: Make the course public? That would be pretty amazing. In all seriousness, I’d probably try prevent some of the changes to the course.

Dave Koster
Greg Norman. Do I even need to say why?

George Promenschenkel
Norman should have won at least one, most likely in 1996. But then again, that epic collapse is part of what makes him an even more interesting character than his domination of the Tour ever did.

Donald MacKenzie
Greg Norman would have won in 1996 if I had my way. Actually, strike that. If I could change one thing, it would be that I won the 1996 Masters. I look good in green.

Erik J. Barzeski
The changes they made to the course after about the year 2001 or so. Get rid of a bunch of trees, return angles to the course again, and chop off most of the length they’ve added.

Close second: they should sell DVDs of re-mastered final-round coverage from 1975, 1986, and, well, virtually every year. Charge $199 per disc and give the proceeds to charity or something, c’mon.

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Given the course changes over the years, is the tournament the best it’s ever been, or do prefer another period in time?

Ron Varrial: Following the real toughening of the course, I think the weather and playing conditions had more to do with the lack of “roars” down the stretch. Last year proved that we’ll see lots of birdies and the course is as prime as ever for a Sunday afternoon soap opera.

Justin Pucheu: Now, course is tougher, but I kinda wish they’d relax with it a little bit. It seems like they’ve been overly aggressive with changing it in the past 5-10 years.

Alan Olson: Like anything else, Augusta has had to change with the technological and physical improvements of equipment and golfers. While perhaps every change hasn’t been good, for the most part, they’ve gotten a lot of them right and the little tweaks here and there are making the tournament better every year.

Jamieson Weiss: I don’t want to say that it isn’t still great, but it’s definitely been better. The course has been lengthened for the sheer purpose of
lengthening it so many times it’s getting ridiculous, and I wish they would have kept some of Alister Mackenzie’s scraggly bunkers and sloping greens. I do however like some of the changes. The greens have gotten smaller and faster, and the water level has been raised in most places.

Dave Koster
I’m not crazy about the course changes but I think they’ve made them to keep the same sort of shots into the holes so I understand. As long as you hear the roars on the back nine on Sunday, everything is good by me. I think now is as good a time as any.

George Promenschenkel
I believe the introduction of the rough was a (dare I say?) mistake on the part of Augusta National. The old fairway-everywhere layout let the ball roll forever if the player didn’t control it… out of position, into the gallery, into the woods. It was something that made Augusta different from any other golf course. It is still a unique, magical place, but just not quite as much as it used to be.

Donald MacKenzie
I will always prefer the course before it had rough, and when it played less than 7,500 yards.

Erik J. Barzeski
I got ahead of myself. 2000-2002-ish was probably the best setup, though even then there were probably more trees than I’d like to see. The quality of Masters winners since then has dropped (save for Tiger and Phil). Speaking of Phil – isn’t it odd that Phil only managed to start winning when they tightened the course to current levels? How does that make sense?

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Of the four majors, where do you rank the Masters?

Ron Varrial:It’s my favorite. It marks the end of winter doldrums, the return of golf season. The familiarity I have by Sunday of a U.S. Open, I have on Thursday at Augusta. The live coverage at masters.org makes watching online a pleasure. It’s a place that’s owned by the legends of the game, and its tradition and history sum up what I love so much about golf.

Justin Pucheu: Depends on where the U.S. Open is that particular year, but it’s always competing for 1st place. If it’s not #1, it’s #1b.

Alan Olson: Number one for a variety of reasons mixing with the history, the course, first major of the year, etc. but it also symbolizes for me the start of our golf season in the Upper Midwest. The early season Tour events don’t do much for me but the Masters always seems to kick in the desire to get out and play and watch golf.

Jamieson Weiss: Number two. I’ve always have soft spot in my heart for the U.S. Open, but the history, and tradition, and the class of the Masters is second to none. I still get goosebumps every December when ESPN starts running the Mike Tirico-voiced Masters commercials.

Dave Koster
Absolutely #1. No question. Each has their own charm (except the PGA maybe) but it’s always been The Masters.

George Promenschenkel
I love the Masters, mostly because it is rite of Spring. It is the demarcation point where the gray of Winter gives way to blue skies, green fairways, and pink dogwood. What’s not to like? The US Open might be more democratic and a sterner test of golf, but the Masters has as special place in my heart.

Donald MacKenzie
First. The British is a close second.

Erik J. Barzeski
First, but with a disclaimer. If the U.S. Open were televised less, it’d have a chance to dethrone it. If the British Open were televised less (and better – half the time you can’t even see the golf ball), it’d give it a run for its money too.

Well, okay, maybe not. The online coverage of the Masters has really helped.

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Does the inclusion of Augusta National make you want to buy Tiger Woods Golf 2012? Does greater exposure “cheapen” the Masters?

Ron Varrial: As much as people want to call Augusta National old-fashioned and close-minded, they are actually on the cutting edge of technology and media. I mentioned their online coverage earlier. When trailblazing sports media giant Frank Chirkinian died, we were reminded of how much of his influence is seen across all of golf coverage. So it was only a matter of time until Augusta National found a way to the game. But with that said, I do think it robs the course of some mystique, maybe not for diehards like us, who already revere those grounds, but for kids who will never know that Augusta was once way too exclusive to be available to anyone with a video game unit. As for buying it, yes, it will be the first video game I’ve bought in years.

Justin Pucheu: Absolutely, and absolutely not. While it is a special tradition (unlike any other), I think Payne and Co. are just a tiny bit too high up on their horse. Of course, I might be a little overprotective if I were in charge too. I’m not saying to turn the place in to a public muni so that anyone can get on at any time, just lighten up a tiny bit. That game is the closest probably 99% of us will ever get to stepping foot on Augusta National, there’s nothing wrong with allowing people to get a little better idea of what it’s really like. I’m ecstatic they finally came to an agreement with EA.

Alan Olson: I haven’t played video games in a few years so it doesn’t matter what courses are included. Having said that, I think including Augusta National is a good thing and I don’t think having the course on TW Golf 2012 cheapens it but rather raises the overall exposure for golf, which is sorely needed. Putting the Masters on TV hasn’t cheapened it throughout the years; this is the just the next evolutionary step.

Jamieson Weiss: Of course, I’ve already bought it. I don’t think it cheapens the Masters at all, if anything it might expose more people to the Masters and ratchet up TV ratings.

Dave Koster
I already own it… so, yeah it kinda did make me pick it up (along with a few others in my office.) It doesn’t cheapen it at all…

George Promenschenkel
Already bought it… I don’t think the exposure cheapens the Masters. In the age of Google Earth, Augusta National can no longer command the same mystique it once did by remaining hidden behind gates and foliage most of the year. Bringing the course to TW2K12 lets more people get a little closer look at the course than they ever would otherwise. It’s not the same as being there, but it still leaves an impression. Now if they could do something about the load times of the game, that would be nice.

Donald MacKenzie
It does make me want to check out the game. I don’t think it cheapens the event. If the Masters had created its own video game and it stunk, that would tarnish the image a bit.

Erik J. Barzeski
Bought it. The experience is great. Cheapen it? Nah. For almost everyone, that’s as close as they’ll get to being on the grounds, let alone playing it.

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How much would you pay to play Augusta National?

Ron Varrial:If I had to put a number on it, I’d say $5,000, knowing that I’d give up golf and guy trips for as long as I needed to in order to recoup the cost. Everyone’s got a bucket list of golf courses and Augusta is atop mine, by about a mile. I would trade lots of little pleasures for the one I know I’d remember forever. The better question might be, would I enjoy it? Most likely not. I’d be so nervous and so worried about taking it all in, I’d imagine it would be a blur.

Justin Pucheu: It’s hard to say. Until last year, I said there’s no way I’d ever pay $500 to play anywhere, but after visiting Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open, my stance on that changed. Augusta is almost a whole different level, but I know I’d pay at least the same as what I’d pay to play Pebble, likely even more.

Alan Olson: $1000 seems about my limit.

Jamieson Weiss: If Pebble Beach is about $500, I guess I’d pay a couple thousand for Augusta. However, if I want to play it that much I’ll just spend $50 on Tiger Woods ’12 for Wii. So I suppose in some way the game does “cheapen” Augusta National…

Dave Koster
$2500 – about the price of an awesome golf trip.

George Promenschenkel
$500+… easily. It would not be a price that you could ever justify in any rational way. I’ve walked the course, and that alone was a special experience. To be able to actually tee it up there, let alone play 18, would be like dying and going to Green Heaven. Heck, I think I’d pay $250 to play the par three course, and that’s just nine holes. And I’d fully expect to putt off a green or two on either course.

Donald MacKenzie
$117. That’s what I paid to play St. Andrews a decade ago. Seems a fair price. No golf course is worth more than $150.

Erik J. Barzeski
$250, and if the weather was not picture perfect, probably not even that much. Perhaps I’m too cynical but it’s just a round of golf. But I’d probably pay $5k or more if I got to take three buddies, because man, those bastards would be in debt to me something good! 🙂 (Seriously, though, they’d probably enjoy it a lot more than I would, and I’d enjoy watching them enjoy it enough to justify that cost!)