Masters Week

After the winter that we have just endured, the Masters has come just in time. The weather hasn't been too great around here, but just knowing that we'll be getting to watch Augusta National on TV in a couple of days while hearing the silky tones of Jim Nantz, it gives all us golfers hope that real spring weather will be here soon. It's been an active winter for us at the MGA. We're pretty well set for the tournament season which will - hard to belive - be here in a month. The New England Golf Summit was a successful day of education and networking last week at Andover CC http://www.negolfsummit.org/. We've had committee meetings, staff meetings, Rules workshops and various seminars. I think we're all ready to get onto the golf course. But this week is Masters week and I am as excited as any golfer. I love the U.S. Open, the Open Championship and the PGA, but the Masters just has that special aura. I will be hunkered down in my man cave all weekend and my wife and daughter know not to bother me. I'll watch the pre-game and post-game on Golf Channel, I'll be on masters.com, I'll be texting with a few buddies while the tournament is unfolding. And I know I'm just one of a cast of millions doing the same thing. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Jack Nicklaus' improbable victory at Augusta in 1986 at age 46. I'm older now than Jack was when he donned that sixth green jacket which gives me even more perspective. There aren't too many sporting events where I can remember exactly where I was when it occurred. I was a hockey crazed little kid when Bobby Orr scored the overtime goal and sailed through the air in 1970. I watched the Miracle on Ice in 1980 in total amazement in my basement at home. I was at the dinner table with my family when Doug Flutie threw his Hail Mary pass. And I was in suburban Philadelphia in 1986 when Jack made is Sunday charge. I was watching the telecast in the den at my girlfriend's apartment (she's my wife now so she's used to this stuff by now), and I was watching the Masters on a little 13 inch black and white TV. Yes, it's true. Lynda had no interest in golf and was watching a movie or something in the main room on the color TV. I told her I had to watch the Masters and I remember yelling and hooting and telling her that what an amazing thing is happening right here on live TV. After Jack's 5 iron almost went in the hole on 16 I started to get choked up. I'll never forget that day and neither will millions of other golfers. It's not likely that 2011 will produce the same drama as 1986, but you never know. Let's see, it's 4:45 P.M. on Tuesday. If I leave the office in a few minutes I'll be home in plenty of time to watch all of Live from the Masters.