Inklings: Fore! More!! | Columnists | Summerville Journal Scene

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Inklings: Fore! More!!

Published Thursday, April 15, 2010 1:41 PM

By Barbara Lynch Hill
Summerville Journal Scene ®

I posted an eagle at the Masters Sunday. Not the Augusta Masters – although I’ve had the privilege of attending that tournament many times. I got an eagle at the Masters down the road at our son’s house. Every year David and Amy host a Masters party for family and friends. It’s always a three-generational affair, a day long “do” with lunch, practice rounds and playing a nine-hole course, first for the adults and then for the kids. Viewing of the Augusta Masters on television is available as are snacks all afternoon and into the evening until the traditional green jacket is presented. Libations are served in the Tiger Lounge. I’ve always teased that I go for both the fellowship and for tradition, i.e., my annual mint julep.

This year for the first time I decided to join the competition for the ultimate trophy – a green tee shirt. The local game is played with croquet mallets and balls, the holes are wooden stakes with green flags and the course is laid out on David’s front, back and side yards. We have much of the Augusta ambiance as his double lot is flush with mature spring flowers. Doglegs wind insidiously through tall tunnels of azaleas and under the umbrellas of dozens of blossoming dogwoods. Alas, even with this inspiring background, I didn’t get the green tee shirt, but I did shoot par and that, along with the only eagle in the competition, prompted David to dub me the Senior Master, quite appropriately as I was the most senior senior in attendance. The winner was a charming fellow named Mark who deserved the prize because – imagine – he played better than anybody else and had the lowest score with two under par.

I follow the game, but don’t play real golf. Most every blood and matrimonial relative of mine does. I also had the good fortune to marry a southern boy, born and bred in Augusta, who has played The National many times. Whenever Air Force assignments brought us close to Dixie, we always got to attend this wonderful competition. The course is absolutely gorgeous; the hospitality, southern at its best; the amenities well thought out, and the standards both of play and conduct, are of the highest.

My dad, an avid duffer, and great admirer of the Masters, had us all take golf lessons. My brothers and sister continue to play but my only claim to fame is that I won the Junior Putting Championship at an Atlanta club by holing a 30-foot putt. It’s taken me only 63 years to claim my second lifetime title and I intend to revel in it as much as possible! Between Atlanta and Augusta, I’ve also been able to watch some of the “greats” play, including Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Tom Watson, and my personal favorite, Jack Nicklaus.

Phil Mickelson deserved to win this year’s Masters. He played the best golf. Like most players – professional and amateur – he’s had his game ups and downs. But he kept at it and donned his third green jacket Sunday. He did it while dealing with severe family problems and he had his family with him, and behind him. Let’s hope all future champions can continue to follow that lead.

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