Vassallo: Going Back to Houston

This week the Shell Houston Open takes place on the PGA tour which signifies that we’re only one week away now from the 2015 Masters. This time of year always brings back special memories of my youth having just graduated from Hillsboro High School in Nashville and prior to entering Ole Miss.

In the summer of 1965 I was walking along the Boardwalk on Daytona Beach with my close friend, Don Brinton, from Nashville, when I heard for the first time Dean Martin’s “Houston.” The tune was immediate in clinging on to and I knew then that this would be a special song for Deano.

Here is a YouTube video courtesy of johnwaynefreak that will take you right back to those days!

Returning to the Masters, this year almost anyone can win because Tiger Woods is even uncertain if he’ll compete. However, I’ll be quite surprised if he does not. That leaves the list of favorites to a small group led by Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Henrik Stenson, Ricky Fowler, Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker.

The 1965 Masters was part of an era ruled by the “Big Three” of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus. Collectively, these legends won 13 Masters! We will probably never see this level of excellence again by a consortium, but it was entertaining while it lasted.

If you’re like me, I relate special places and events to music or songs that were popular at the time I experienced them. In 1980 I received an invitation to attend the MASTERS for the Sunday round (that year was won by Seve Ballesteros) and while on the back nine, my host and I ran into Andy Williams and a young lady tanned to the hilt. I don’t know who impressed me the most.

Since that year I have returned to Augusta National seven times and continued to run into celebrities from every field. For those too young to remember, Andy was blessed with one of the greatest voices of all time. He’s right up there with Dean, Sinatra and the very best.

Try to take in a few rounds of viewing from Houston, but if you’re too busy to do so, let nothing interfere with the following week’s MASTERS. You will want to get outside and start planting and beautifying your lawn and property. Augusta National and the Ole Miss campus are the two most beautiful places on earth. And upon visiting these two wonders of nature, you will be drawn back often with or without the music to inspire you!

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Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. In addition, he is a certified economic and community developer and currently, a highly successful leader in the real estate business with Premier Properties of Oxford.You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at (985) 852-7745.