Vassallo: Masters Week Has Arrived

It’s finally here — the 2015 Masters is only a couple days away, and the drama is already building. Not in recent years have so many names been mentioned as a potential new owner of the famous green jacket.

There are so many stories swirling around Amen Corner, here is but a brief sampling: Will Tiger Woods at age 39 once again demonstrate his Masters’ greatness with a fifth win? Is this the year for another youngster (21 year old Jordan Spieth) to claim a major title? Will Rory McIlroy complete the grand slam at age 25 with an Augusta triumph? Or will another foreign entry (a prime example is number two in the world Henrik Stenson from Sweden) prevail on Sunday?

Nostalgia is always present at Augusta National. This year’s honorary starters of golf’s big three — Arnold Palmer, 85, Gary Player, 79, and Jack Nicklaus, 75 — once again will start the tournament, recalling fond memories of their combined 13 wins at the Masters. Nicklaus won his first at age 23. Palmer had already won three green coats when the 1963 victory by Jack occurred. Player won his first of 3 Masters in 1961 by keeping Arnold from winning three consecutive titles, a feat no one has ever accomplished (Arnie won in 60 and 62).

The natural beauty of Augusta National is always the true winner…year end and out. We all have our most favorite holes and I’m no exception. On the front nine my favorite is the fifth (Magnolia) a par 4 slight dogleg left featuring one of the more difficult greens to putt. And on the back nine, number 13 (Azalea) a par 5 stunning dogleg (again left) is one of the most beautiful “green” settings in all of golf (no pun intended).

Commentators through the years have said many times that the actual battle clearly begins at Amen Corner (holes 11, 12 and 13) on Sunday afternoon. What is unique about 12 is the fact that patrons cannot encircle the green as other holes and this is true on 13 for both tee and green. There are so many unique features of this golf course and as one former champion said recently, “the ghosts are everywhere.”

I wonder if Bobby Jones had any idea some eighty plus years ago how great this tournament would eventually become. When you explore the great names associated with this spectacle including Hogan, Snead, Nelson, Demaret (Jimmy Demaret was the first golfer to win three times; Palmer was the first four time winner) and the ones already mentioned, anytime an event attracts the best and brightest of its profession, the success has already resulted.

The 2015 competition will yet be another great chapter in this exciting American story that fortunately for us never has an ending!

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.