TERRE HAUTE — In the realm of performing arts, it would seem that golf deserves its rightful place in that spectrum, especially when it comes to that rite of spring called The Masters.
Every good play deserves some advance publicity and The Masters always provides plenty of that. Most of it indicated that the tournament would come down to a shootout between the world’s No. 1 player and four-time champ, Tiger Woods, and the defending champion who owns two green jackets of his own, Phil Mickelson.
This was a mistake right off the bat. You see, Tiger doesn’t like a co-starring role with anyone, especially Mickelson. They definitely do not exchange Christmas cards. In fact, Mickelson recently had to apologize to Woods for disrespecting Tiger’s golf clubs.
Mickelson had said something to the effect that he couldn’t believe Woods could play the great golf he played with the clubs he used. It actually sounded more like a compliment to this writer.
It has always seemed that Woods has been loath to acknowledge that there are other players in professional golf who are on a par with his consummate abilities.
Tiger’s too smart to say this directly. When asked who, among the younger pros, he could mention who might be able to provide some stern competition, he answered to the effect that if a player is going to be a contender as the final 18 holes rolls around, he is going to need some experience in that role. Of course, there were no players who fit that description. It is difficult, however, to fault a player who feels he “owns” the opposition and has gone out and proved it as often as Tiger during the past 10 years.
Every play that’s destined to become a hit needs an equally good script, and as The Masters plot unfolded, it proved to be a good one, although one that wasn’t anticipated. Cold, windy weather contributed to some high scores for the first three days of play.
First-round leaders Justin Rose and Brett Wetterich were the only two players to break 70 in the first round. Their 69s were good for a one-shot lead on the field and a seven-shot advantage over Mickelson, whereas Tiger was four back with his 73.
An old saying indicates, “You can’t win a golf tournament on the first round, but you can lose one there.” We could have asked former Masters Champion Seve Ballesteros about that adage, but that wasn’t recommended since Seve had an 86 for a starter and he wasn’t in the mood for any questions.
A good script demands some surprises and that’s exactly what the second round offered when Wetterich and Tim Clark, who was the 2006 runner-up, posted two-under 142s for the lead and the highest 36-hole total to lead at the halfway mark in The Masters in the past 25 years. Tiger was at 147 with Mickelson at 149. Neither was so far back they couldn’t make some noise as the third round approached. After all, another name for the third round is “moving day” and a five-shot deficit meant nothing to Tiger. Mickelson would have a tougher hill to climb.
Despite a triple bogey on the 17th hole, Stuart Appleby maintained a one-shot lead on Tiger, thereby gaining Sunday’s final round “feature twosome” pairing with El Tigre, who had a 72. Chilly temperatures, strong winds and hard greens conspired to send third-round scores skyrocketing. Former champ Ben Crenshaw took 84 shots during a round in which players were trying to survive.
Although there were several players hanging within a few swings of the lead, the final act of our melodrama could be written before the last 18 was played. It goes like this: Tiger toys with the opposition until the final nine begins, and then he shoots them down in a withering fire of birdies and an eagle or two before donning his fifth green jacket.
Apparently not everyone read the script. Out of nowhere came unheralded Zach Johnson, who had managed just one win during his tenure on the PGA Tour. When Tiger made a fabulous eagle on No. 13, it was Johnson’s cue to get a lump in his throat and three-putt a couple of holes on his way to the clubhouse. Woods would then play the last five holes in two- or three-under par as he breezed to another major title.
But hold everything! Tiger didn’t follow the script as he usually does and failed to birdie a single hole on his last five holes. Johnson birdied 16 and bogeyed 17, and when the curtain rang down, it was Johnson the winner by two shots over co-runners up Woods, Retief Goosen and Rory Sabbatini, all who had been in the lead at one time or another during the final 18.
Well, that’s the way it goes. Sometimes golf scripts are not always followed. Hats off to Johnson on an amazing win for a nice young man. He certainly deserved the title. Besides, you can’t always depend on a script, especially when it comes to golf.
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Jim Gallagher, Jr. was the 1983 Indiana Open champion when the tournament was conducted at Hulman Links. That same Jim Gallagher is one of eight players who have led or tied for the lead after their first Masters round. Jim shot a 67 before finally finishing 17th at the 1991 Masters.
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Congratulations are in order for Rob Johnson, who recently won the Michelob Ultra Classic tournament, a Hooters Tour event played at the Harmony (Fla.) Golf Preserve. The former South Vigo and Purdue golfer had rounds of 72, 68, 69 and 70 en route to a one-shot victory. Rob’s win was worth $33,500.
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If you’re looking for Terre Haute’s only golf course within the city limits and located north of Wabash Avenue that would be Lost Creek Golf Course at the Elks, formerly known as Elks Fort Harrison Golf Club.
Billy Alumbaugh III has leased the layout and he now will operate it strictly as a public course with green fees of $10 for nine holes and $16 for 18. Carts are $6 for nine holes and $12 for 18. Ten-play passes are priced at $200, which includes green fees and carts. Elks members may buy 10 play passes, which also include green fees and carts for a discounted rate of $150.
Alumbaugh reports that group rates will now be available with the course able to accommodate up to 80 players for scrambles. Alumbaugh’s takeover became official April 1. The Alumbaughs are legendary insofar as local golf is concerned, with Billy III having held the pro position at Elks Fort Harrison course for the past 11 years. Billy’s uncles, Dave and Don, are course superintendents at Hulman Links and Rea Park, respectively. Billy’s father, Bill Jr., also has had extensive experience in pro shop operation. The late Bill Alumbaugh Sr., the patriarch of the family, once was the pro and greenskeeper at Matthews Park Golf Course in Clinton. Also known as “Pops,” Bill Senior had served as president of the Terre Haute Golf Association on multiple occasions. Later he was honored as a charter member of the Terre Haute Golf Association Hall of Fame.
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Tip of the week — With spring in the air many golfers will be heading for area courses. It could be a big mistake to start pounding golf balls without putting yourself through a warm-up routine, especially in cool weather. Do some stretching exercises to loosen those golf muscles before taking full swings. There are some hard lessons to learn for those who go “all out” without a proper warmup routine.
Keep your head down and your shoestrings tied. We’ll be back.
Vigo County golf Leagues
Terre Haute Elks Ladies 9-hole — Low net: Molly Ellingsworth 37. Low gross: Lucy James 45. Low putts: James 13. Play of the day: Ellingsworth. Chip-in: Rita Depasse. Birdie: James (No. 10).
Rub of the Green
Rub of the Green: Tiger failed to follow usual Masters script
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