Hardly a month goes by that someone doesn’t ask if I have been to Augusta National to cover The Masters. I try never to simply say ‘yes’, but rather say, “yes, I have been very blessed to be able to have covered The Masters.” I never want to take for granted how fortunate I am that my golf reporting career has allowed me to have such wonderful experiences.
Of course, the opportunity pales in comparison to the great Michigan golfers who have competed in The Masters; three of which we will highlight throughout the pages of this April magazine starting on page 16.
Beginning in 2009, I covered then MSU golfer Jack Newman, a native of Iowa, for the Lansing State Journal and I used the Iowa connection to also cover Zach Johnson for the Des Moines Register. Newman had some incredible results despite just barely missing the cut, when he shot 72-76.
Newman led all amateurs the first day, after he finished the back 9 with 4 birdies on the last five holes (he scored 6 birdies overall that day). The day prior, he came within one adrenaline-pumped water ball to winning the Wednesday Par 3 Contest.
Then in April of 2012, I covered 2011 USGA Mid-Amateur Champion Randy Lewis, of Alma, for the Detroit Free Press. He became the oldest Masters “rookie” playing for the first time at age 54. He was hitting fairway hybrids into most greens compared to the pro’s short irons, but nonetheless represented Michigan proudly. I’ll never forget the tight crowds during the Par 3 Contest, or when Lewis dialed in his shot on the 6th hole, coming to rest within 3 inches to win a crystal trophy for closet to the pin.
My last trip to Augusta National was in 2017, following Jackson native Brian Stuard. My best memories are walking along with all the families of each Michigan player, but in Stuard’s case I’ll never forget his second shot into the par five 15th hole, over water. He needed a birdie or better to keep a tight grip on making the cut. In the middle of his backswing a HUGE roar came from the 16th hole. His family and I cringed as we thought it would spook Stuard, but he calmly nailed the shot he needed. I asked him later about the crowd noise on that shot, and he replied, “what crowd noise?”
We’ll share many more Masters Memories this month, plus a lot of Junior Golf topics and more. Thank you for joining us.
