Conference 7.286::golf

    I guess I should answer my own note. After watching some TPC play
    this weekend, I think we may see a new person with a green jacket
    this year. Look out for Chip Beck. However, I'm siding with Ben
    Crenshaw. He might have it all together by then. Who's next with
    a reply?
    
    Mike

    
    Well, I will have to place two choises. The first in sticking with
    my pick for the Golf Digest sweeps is Crenshaw, but I think Norman
    may pull it out...! Look for Couples to be up there, but he doesn't
    have the killer instinct... 
    
    Just 3� weeks to go...
    
    Gene

    Is my buddy Tom Kite playing ?? If so, look for him to win it. He's
    hot !!!
    
    
    Jim
    

    I'll go with Ballesteros, after the last two "quiet" for him years
    I feel he's about due to start playing like he means it...
    

    I'll put my money on Curtis Strange.  I think he needs a green jacket
    in his wardrobe!

    	I feel that by then, you'll be seeing Greg Norman win his 2nd
    or 3rd tournament on the U.S. tour.  He will wear the green, should
    he play in the masters.  Look for Strange to give him stiff
    competition.
                                                           Beak

    As I stated in the TPC note, I pick Curtis, but look out for Seve (my
    sentimental favourite) and for Norman.
    
    I would like to  see at the beginning of the last round a score board
    like TPCs, no long shots  and at least 5-6 players within 3-4 strokes
    of the leader, something like:
    
        Beck            -4
        Norman          -3
        Ballesteros     -3
        Strange         -1
        Nicklaus        even
        Calcavechia     even
        Kite             1
        Crenshaw         1
    
    
    I think the bear is ready to  give  it  another good try as he did at
    TPC. I just hope he doesn't lose his touch in the last round.
    
    Tavo

    I like (in this order):
    
    		Mark Calcavecchia (after last year, he'll be back with
    a vengeance!)
    
    		Jack Nicklaus (he said he's having fun again!  If he
    smells blood after play is through on Saturday afternoon, watch
    out!)
    
    		Greg Norman (he's beginning to play better)
    
    
    					Mike

    
    The BEAR "IS" BACK!!!
    
    dave

    Hi,
    Wouldn't the Golden Bear like to continue his dominance at Augusta?
    his overall record is:
    
    ****Total Masters entered     = 30
        Total green Jackets       =  6
        Second Place Finishes     =  4
        Top Ten Finishes          = 19
    
    ****Winner of Masters in each of three(3) decades!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Top this record sports fans.
    Tom

    
    This is the year of the Kite as in Tom. Norman will finish in the
    top five along with Lyle, Calcaveckia(sp) and Strange.

    	Since I have chosen him in the GD Sweeps, I'll stick with him
    in here. Greg Norman!!

    pencil me in for watson  i think the slump ends here.
    
    					dan

Mark Calcavecchia is my choice.  Mark has a good short game, is very long,
and there is no rough to contend with on those less-than-accurate shots.  
I expect him to conquer the par 5s easily.  BTW, Calcavecchia has taken 
two weeks off and does not intend on speaking to the media while he gets
prepared for Augusta.  He will probably visit the golf doctor -- Peter
Kostis.

Norman and Ballesteros will be on Mark's heels, followed by Couples, 
Strange and Kite. 

Jeff

    
    	Jack.

     I'll pick Joey Sindelar; good guy - animal long.
    
    --Jack

    
    
     Nothing would please me more than to see Jack do it again but I
    just don't think he can string them together like he used to. I'll
    be routing for him all the way. When I hear the expresion Jack's
    back it dosn't mean the same as it used to. 

:-( 	I feel for the BEAR and would love to see him up there on Sunday-arvo
    	but it's a faint hope I feel.
    
:->	SEVE, yeah... his honeymoon is over, so to speak, and it's time
    	he got going again and showed us what he is capable of.
    
:-<	GREG, all shot out ?.
    
8-)	SANDY, as a fan I think he has more talent in his little finger
    	than most golfers could even dream of. If he gets the head together
    	he could be 10 in front at the line (IMO).

    
    $.02,
    BRIAN.

    I'll say Chip Beck has a chance.
    

    
    I think we would all like to see Jack win another jacket. 
    
    I am going to expand a little on my projected winner and say
    that one og the following ten players "WILL" win the MASTERS...
    
    
    			Ben Crenshaw
    			Greg Norman
    			Fred Couples
    			Sandy Lyle
    			Tom Kite
    			Mark Calcavecchia
    			Lanny Wadkins
    			Paul Azinger
    			Seve Ballesteros
    			Chip Beck
    			

    I can't see Crenshaw or Kite.  Augusta is a course for the gambler
    as well as taking what it gives you.  Crenshaw's iron game is not what
    it needs to be and for the "best putter in the game", the wand has done
    him little good as of late.  Kite is not aggressive enough to win
    there.  It takes a bold player with patience and talent.  That's why
    people like Ballesteros win there.  I don't think that Couples,
    Calcavecchia, Wadkins, Azinger or Beck have the patience to play
    Augusta.  I don't think Kite and Crenshaw are bold enough.  That leaves
    me with Norman, Lyle or Ballesteros.  Of course I've been wrong before.
    Win or lose though I still like to see Jack make 7 birdes on the back
    nine on Sunday!
    
    
    						KO

    
    Kevin,
    
    I think we are seeing a new Kite emerging this year. I think
    he has a chance. I do agree that Ben is having problem with
    his putter and otherwise, but he has a couple weeks to get it
    together. Couples has the patience, he just has to keep his
    concentration up to have a chance...! And even though I put
    Seve on my list, I don't really think he has his game together
    yet this year...! I guess Norman is my top pick of the bunch...
    
    Gene

    	I agree with Gene, Kite is getting aggressive, just note his
    "choked down" 4 wood that almost rolled off the ?16th? green into
    the drink. He had a 2 stroke lead at the time and probably should
    have laid up. Let the others make mistakes, but he went for it,
    BOLD move.

If Tom Watson find's his putting stroke, he'll win by 3 strokes.

Big if.

    Don't right off Faldo - he a had a really consistent year last year
    and if he makes a few birdies...
    
    Or one of the "S"s, I mean Sandy or Seve.
                                              
    Sorry US,
    
    Paul of GB
    
    P.s. I agree with the reply about Sandy's little finger... I remember
    watching him at the Belfry - I stood by the side of the fairway
    where all the drives were coming to rest. Sandy took out his 1-iron
    and the ball came to earth 30yds furhter down the fairway!

    OK, here is the Golf Digest's chart on the 1989 Masters
    
                                Player          Odds    1988
    
                        1. Seve Ballesteros     8-1     T11
                        2. Curtis Strange       10-1    T21
                        3. Mark Calcavecchia    10-1    2
                        4. Sandy Lyle           12-1    1
                        5. Greg Norman          12-1    T5
                        6. Tom Kite             15-1    44
                        7. Ben Crenshaw         15-1    4
                        8. Nick Faldo           20-1    T30
                        9. David Frost          20-1    8
                        10. Bernhard Langer     25-1    T9
                        11. Chip Beck           25-1    T21
                        12. Tom Watson          25-1    T9
                        13. Nick Price          33-1    T14
                        14. Craig Stadler       33-1    3
                        15. Lanny Wadkins       33-1    T11
                        16. Joey Sindelar       40-1    T39
                        17. Fred Couples        40-1    T5
                        18. Mark McCumber       40-1    24
                        19. Ken Green           40-1    -
                        20. Jack Nicklaus       50-1    T21
                        
    The 1988 column shows the position they finished last year with T for
    tie.
    
    As you can see, DG doesn't give the "Bear" that many chances.
    
    Tavo

      My top 3 picks are:
    
    Tom Kite - because he is playing well of late.
    
    Ben Crenshaw - seems to always be a shot or two away.
    
    Seve Ballesteros - a gambler who has done well at Augusta in the
                      past.
    
    Of course, Jack Nicklaus is always my sentimental favorite. Normally,
    I might have gone with Curtis or Greg, but Curtis seems to have
    lost something over the last several weeks and Greg always plays
    well for 3 rounds then skies to a 74 or 76 for the fourth.
    
     
    
    
                Ken--

    Gee isn't it good that the odds mean absolutely nothing.....
    They all start off even....
    
    I'm looking for a new face to win this year. I can't say who
    but if I had to develop a criteria I'd say someone who had played
    the tournament a few years,placed in the top 15-20 and who has
    won a few tournament on the tour. Perhaps someone looking for
    their first Major.
    
    
    
    Tom

    A three way playoff between Seve, Greg and Strange with Seve winning
    on the 17th. 
    
    Jeff

    KEN GREEN  if he doesn't think
    CURTIS STRANGE  if he does think
    

    I pick Sandy Lyle

    I think SEVE has a point to prove this year. 
    I know his form is off so far this year but he feels
    at home at Augusta, which i think is of particular
    importance. As he said himself , he could have won
    5 (!) Masters by now.
    
    martin
    
    P.S. All this speculation on who will win is futile.
    In recent ('80s) majors very few have been able to 
    win more than once [ only Ballesteros, Floyd, Watson
    etc ] so the likelihood is of a first time winner.
    Look at the winners of the last 5 Masters.
    	84 Crenshaw, 85 Langer, 86 Nicklaus, 87 Mize
        88 Lyle

    A true long shot.........
    
    Jim Hallet by 2 strokes!!!!!!!!!
    
    A few years back he surprised a number of people when as a amateur
    he did so well at the Masters.  
    
    Also he's from New England, Cape Cod, so let's root for a local
    pro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Tony
    

re: .35
    If you want to root for a local boy, go with Brad Faxon (from
    Somerset, Mass).  He has been finishing higher than Hallet in most
    tournaments this year.  I'd have to look it up to be sure but...
    if my memory serves...he finished in the top 15 or so in TPC;
    I believe he had the same score as Curtis;  won about $15K.

    
    RE: .36
    
    Just an FYI. Brad Faxon has been playing real well. He shot a 287
    at TPC, $19,575. Strange finished at 290, $6.673...
    

    
    Mainly 'cause nobody else has picked him - Steve Jones.
    
    -Alan-

    I have to go with sweet swinging Fred Couples, the man is always there
    knocking on the door, he's in the top 10 this year on the money list,
    and he's got the BEST swing on tour.

    If I just choose Frost can I get two picks?
    
    NO!  Then I go with Curtis Strange, his tips in GOLF have really
    helped me.
    
    And Gene since you left Curtis off your 10 picks I bet you a coffee
    that none of your ten win it though it is a great list.

    
    RE: .40
    
    Sorry, don't know your first name?
    
    You are definately on and Curtis doesn't stand a chance...!
    
    Gene

    
    
    	I'll take 'gentle' Ben Crenshaw for a favorite and Bill Glasson
    for a long shot.

    I'm ready to go 2 for 2 on picks. Here's my top 5.
    
    Norman
    Kite
    Payne Stewart
    Seve
    Nick Faldo                      
    
    Norman wins in a playoff over Kite. Kite birdies 17 and 18 to get
    in the playoff only to lose on the 3rd playoff hole after hitting
    in the water on 12. 
    
    Wild prediction of the week; One of the leaders will make "hole in
    one" on 16.
    Sentimental prediction of the week: Nicklaus takes an early lead.
    Long shot prediction of the week: Calcavechia misses the cut. 
    
    

    The American media has been on Greg Norman's case about his lack
    of tournament wins in the U.S.. Starting with his years Masters
    I think he's going to show them that he is one of the best, if not
    the best, player's on any pro tour.
    
    My prediction is a walk away win for Greg Norman...
    
    
    Dennis from "THE GREAT WHITE NORTH"
    

    USA 3 Europe 3
    
    Just so as not to be too biased towards players this side of the
    pond, I'll go for three from each side.
    
    Although we don't get much coverage of your tour, I would say that
    Chip Beck, Fred Couples and Mark Calcavecchia have the best chance
    out of the US golfers.
    
    From the European viewpoint, I have to go for Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo
    and Seve Ballesteros.
    
    Sandy - Has come home from the US... it's not for a holiday. He's
            got a habit of coming back from a lean spell. Watch him!!
    
    Nick  - If you want someone to hit the fairways ALL the time, Nick's
            the one to follow. If the putter's hot he'll be around.
    
    Seve  - Believes in himself again after his win at Royal Lytham
            and everyone knows he has something special in that golf
            bag of his.
    
    
    Looking forward to a late night on the 9th April.
    
    
    Phil (Reading, UK).
            

For wishful thinking, Swedish amateur Christian Hardin (winner of 
British Amateur championship and first-ever Swede to play in the Masters). No,
he's not related to Masters chairman Hord Hardin (expect some puns from the
TV commentators about that)

Realistically, Tom Watson. Time for him to come back!

-- Mr Litby

    In a real shocker!!! ...it will be Danny Noonan!!!! 

    Who the hell is Danny Noonan ?
    
    Is he the Mid-west Amateur champ or the Public course champ ?
    He must be Irish with a name like that, so i'll go for him too !!
    
    martin o'grady

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNAAAAAAANNNNNN !!!!
    
    
    NANANANANANANANA......
    
    
    
    

    Not only will Mark McCumber win the Master's, but after he dons
    the green jacket he will make rude remarks about the rich old lady
    in the first row who kept throwing cheese sandwichs at him.  She
    will turn out to be the wife of the CEO of a major American corporation
    and the CEO will, in revenge, force McCumber to quite golf and take
    a job as a car hike in Pretoria, South Africa.

    Chip Beck is due to win a major. He has been a great player the
    last couple of years. I see him as having a good shot at winning.

    
    Does anyone have any information on first round leaders at the Masters?

Last I heard, Lee Trevino was at -5, with Nick Faldo a shot back.

Mike

Re: .-1

>Last I heard, Lee Trevino was at -5, with Nick Faldo a shot back.

So much for Lee Trevino's argument that Augusta just wasn't suited to his
style of play! ;-)

Larry

    	Augusta isn't suited for his game at all.  It favors a player
    who is long, and who draws the ball, as oppossed to Trevino, who
    fades or cuts the ball, and comparatively, is not a long player.
    He just happened to have a hot putter yesterday.  He said he rolled
    a 12 footer in for a par on #1, a 25 footer on #2 and a 15 footer
    on #3.  After that he said the hole looked like a bucket!!!
    
    Beak

    
    Another great Masters is shaping up. I don't think may people
    expected Trevino to even be close to the top, including himself.
    
    There are a lot of great holes left to be played and I am SURE
    we will see the lead change many times and in the end Norman
    will be on top. I couldn't believe how slow Norman was playing/
    how much time he was taking on each shot (aparently Jack has
    been giving him some pointers)...
   

                    <<< USER$1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GOLF.NOTE;1 >>>
                               -< The Good Game >-
================================================================================
Note 571.0                 "CABLE TV AND THE MASTERS"                 No replies
OURVAX::GLASS                                        15 lines   7-APR-1989 08:29
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    Hi,
    Had the good fortune of watching Masters highlights on USA cable
    last night!
    Now I really can see what a fast green means. It is like "putting
    in your bathtub and stopping the ball short of the drain.
    
    Weather dictated the first days scores, but I feel that "youth"
    will win out even though Jack is always my senimental favorite(as
    well as a fellow Buckeye!).
    
    The International field looked great and Seve/Nick are not to be
    ruled out. Still, the long and hi shot maker will win it all.
    
    SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Tom

        What is the official weather report for the weekend at Augusta.
    	The report this morning showed rain, thunder, and snow.
    
        With the expected weather change tomorrow what changes can we 
    	expect in the format of the Masters ? Will they play the final
    	round on Monday or play additional holes on Sunday. I will be
    	out of the house some this weekend and plan to program the VCR.
                                                               
    	
    

I never thought Trevino would lead the board after the first round.  This
guy is 49 years old!  If he doesn't win, or place in the top 25, this will
be his last invitation to The Masters. 

Go Merry Mex!!

    

    Trevino only needed 12 putts to play the front 9... he said in an
    interview afterward that he can't play another round as well as
    the first and is hoping to finish top 24... 
    
    ...lookout if he has a 70 second round, he knows how to turn out
    the lights...

    
    Ya, if Lee doesn't finish in the top 24 he doesn't get to come back again
    next year. This is his last year of exemption from having won the
    1984 PGA...

     I was as surprised as others at Lee's score. But I want to mention
    that Jack Nicklaus was at +1. I was surprised at his score too.
    He recently was having back problems again.
    Maybe this year we will see some of the older players fight it out
    among themselves. Wouldn't it be something to see Jack and Lee dueling
    to the wire in the final round !!
    
    Anybody catch Crenshaw's putt ( forgot which hole)?
    
    
    
    
                 Ken
    

    	See the putt Jumbo Ozaki made at ?16? Commentators were saying
    he'll be doing good to walk away with par on this par 3 with the
    putt he had. He was on the upper level putting to the lower level,
    which continued to slope downward. Tapped his putt, rolled to the
    incline, down to the second level and started to pick up speed.
    Hit dead in the middle of the hole for bird, if 2 inches either
    way, he'd have rolled off the green. Yeah, I guess those greens
    are tough.

    
    RE: .40
    
    Well, I owe you a coffee... Stop by when you are in NIO... DAMN,
    both Norman and Crenshaw out on a great finish and then to boggey
    the 18th...! It was a GREAT tourney, the lead changed so many times
    and all the big boys were right around the top, then they would
    drop out just to put on another charge...! 
    
    I felt bad for Hoch, but he did have a great tourney. Would have
    been nice for him to have dropped the putt on the first hole of
    the playoff, but... I give Hoch a heck of a lot of credit for not
    falling apart under the pressure (like Reid did)
    
    Congrats to Faldo. He is one of the guys that I counted out after
    the third round... And he one on a hole that he had nothing but
    boggies on during all four rounds of the tourney... I guess some
    of the press is making issue over his drop from casual water on
    the winning hole...!

Gene,

Scott Hoch got relief the previous hole from casual water, but he didn't
seem to get any advantage (I believe he even moved backwards).  It appeared
Faldo really got a better approach by moving towards the right side of the
fairway, taking the water hazard almost out of play.  Hoch's approach shot
looked very difficult from the left side of the fairway (looking directly
at the water hazard).  I guess the bottom line is that Nick Faldo made the
birdie putt. 

Jeff

>    the playoff, but... I give Hoch a heck of a lot of credit for not
>    falling apart under the pressure (like Reid did)

       And how about Ballesteros?  Reid I can understand since it was
     the first time he had experienced the final day at the Masters,
     but Seve had this thing won and became unglued on the back nine.
     No excuse for someone that has been there a few times.
        
>    Congrats to Faldo. He is one of the guys that I counted out after
>    the third round... And he one on a hole that he had nothing but

       Me too.  He's got to rank as the top player in the world after
       what he has done in the past year.      
    
>    of the press is making issue over his drop from casual water on
>    the winning hole...!

       Why should they?  Hoch got a drop on the 1st sudden death hole
       and Crenshaw got a drop on 18.  Proves why they shouldn't let
       baseball/football/hockey beat writers cover golf!  ;^)
    
    Ps.  I love the Masters!  What a great show.
    
    -rick    

    See .26!
    >Don't right off Faldo
    
    Now why didn't I believe myself and put some money on it!
    
    And congrats to the whole european contingent (even though it is
    still small) - Woosnam, Olazabal and Seve all in the top 24. Not
    bad from only 6 starters.
    
    Paul

    Yes, congrats to Nick. I was another one who had counted him out.
    Still, I couldn't believe it when the braodcast started and Crenshaw
    had lost his lead so badly. 
     It was an exciting tournament with the lead changing so often.
    I envy those who were there despite the weather conditions.
    
    
    
                      Ken

    
    RE: .65 & .66
    
    I don't want to blow the issue of Faldo's drop even more out of
    proportion, so I will just say that it was the Globe that I read
    the article in...
    
    Ya, Seve also blew up. He is known for having trouble with the
    back nine...
    
    
    
    
    I didn't get to see the jacket presentation, the last thing I saw
    was when Faldo made the winning putt. Was there anything of note
    that happened during the presentation...?

    Re:< Note 559.69 by MSEE::KELLEY "Custom clubs/club repair" >

    Since they were  already  one  hour  behind  in  the TV schedule, the
    ceremony seemed kind of  rushed.    The only thing that I noticed was
    that Nick's green jacket was at  least  one size smaller, and he also
    noticed it.
    
    When I turned on my TV at about 4:15  and they were showing Seve with
    a bunch of birdies in front nine, I  got  really excited.  Excitement
    that turned to big disappointment, after seen him blow it in the back
    nine.
    
    Tavo
    
    

     Thoughts on the '89 Masters...
     
     Well Greg Norman played himself out of another Masters!
     Unlike the other's though, he has no one to blame but
     himself for his bungled second-shot at eighteen.  I was
     really pulling for him to win one this time, but somehow,
     eighteen got in the way again.

     Isn't funny how everyone (including CBS) ignores players
     like Scott Hoch...yet he deserved as much on-air time as
     anyone.  He played a superb round of golf.

     Ben Wright? Who needs him.  I was going to scream if he told
     the Nick Faldo anecdote about him taking up golf late in his
     teen years...how many times did we hear it?

     Tip of the hat to Lee Trevino for playing two great rounds
     at Augusta...he found out too late in his career that he CAN
     play at the Masters.

     Ben Crenshaw, like Norman should have been putting for a
     birdie instead of a par on the eighteenth.

     The weather really sucked this year!

     Dale

      I enjoy pulling against Seve.  I don't like the way he bangs clubs
    into the turf and fusses over every shot.  I really enjoyed the
    15th (appx) when Norman wanted to putt, looked over at Seve on the
    adjacent hole, realized he was taking forever and went ahead and
    sank birdie.  The crowd went wild, disrupted Seve, and he missed
    a bunny!  If he would putt instead of screwing around he'd have
    played before Norman and probably made his putt!  That was the end
    of the line for Seve.  He really irritated me with his foolishness
    regarding relief on the path in the trees.  He didn't like the first
    ruling and ended up with no relief on the second... good for him,
    (mr. crybaby).
    
    Rick

<                        -< Seve in the tank... great! >-

<      I enjoy pulling against Seve.  I don't like the way he bangs clubs

Sorry you don't like Seve. I think he's a great golfer and a great 
competitor. 

<    of the line for Seve.  He really irritated me with his foolishness
<    regarding relief on the path in the trees.  He didn't like the first

You should know that Seve liked the first ruling just fine. It was Ken 
Green who wasn't too pleased with it and asked for the R&A official to 
provide the second opinion--much to Seve's chagrin, no doubt. (A good 
ruling, though.)

I like players like Seve, Stadler, and Calcaveccio, who are 
demonstrative about their emotions. Bobby Jones was a notorious 
ranter. Although he learned to temper his temper for the public (and 
for his own competitive advantage), when he retired from competition 
he wrote that on weekend afternoon rounds with his father he enjoyed 
letting a club "fly" from time to time. I'm not advocating club 
throwing--in fact it's irritating and distracting when a playing 
partner loses control--but I've never seen more than a grimace and a 
wack or two at the ground from Seve; mild stuff by many standards. 
Shows there's a living, breathing, emoting human being behind those 
incredible, apparently automatic swings.

    I'd agree, Seve does sometimes get too upset by external factors.
    But he's still #1 and I like to see him win everything.
    
    It was really noticeable in last years Open (oops that's _British_
    Open for all of you) that he actually seemed to be happy and smiled
    on his way round. The camera clicks, etc didn't get to him and he
    pulled off a great final round - his attitude must surely have helped
    enormously.
    
    Come on Seve, _smile_ to keep winning

    I can't say as I feel bad for Hoch.  He gased the putt on 17 then 3
    jacks the first extra hole.  The second (from 2 feet no less) doesn't
    even scare the hole!  We call that the twitches for sure.  I do feel
    bad for Norman and Crenshaw.  They both made made some BIG PUTTS near
    the end to get into it.  Then mistakes on 18.  That's golf.
    
    It was clearly Nick Faldo's time.  If the putt in 17 hadn't dropped
    it might still be rolling today.  But after the near death experience
    on the first extra hole, he was not to be denied.  You could see it in
    his eyes he was going to win.  That second shot was a thing of beauty.
    
    
    
    					KO

    I'd take Seve everytime if I was to bet....HIS RECORD SPEAKS LOUDER
    THAN HIS idiosyncrasies...
    
    the third best scoring average at the masters....
    and one of the best if not THE BEST player in the world...
    Imay not like his antics but the man is a winner..so if your inclined
    to pull against a winner...so be it..

    I can hear it now "Faldo backed into the championship,It's really
    not a win at the masters...". Well I can say that Nick wasn't my
    choise for winner but he did do one thing no one else did.
    
    HE DID WHAT HE HAD TO DO. HE MADE THE SHOTS HE HAD TO WIN.
    
    	WHETHER THIS WAS A BOGGY OR A BIRDIE, he made the shots the
    other guys didn't. This is the bottom line to winning. Winning
    is simply playing within the rules and beating the other guys. it
    doesn't say that you have to do it with style, or win with a birdie
    on the last hole.
    
    Congradulations Nick, You did wjat no one else seem to be able to
    do yesterday. You won.
    
    
    
    Tom

    	Just a fantastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon!!!  I enjoyed
    it.  Normans drive from +1 after 8 holes, to an almost incredible
    finish.  Crenshaws comeback during the last 4 holes.  Reids exciting
    play until 15.  Seve until the same hole.  Hochs unexpected finish,
    and Faldos consistant round that gave him the win.  He was probably
    the golfer who was/is the most suited to playing under those
    condidtions, and didn't crack under the extreme pressure their is
    on the back 9 at Augusta on Sunday.  My hats off to all who finished
    and gave us all an exciting finish to this years Masters!!! 
    	A few more comments.  It was indeed Green, who insisted on the
    2nd ruling on Seves ball on the damaged ground.  Seve was going
    to take the drop after the 1st ruling.  And Norman didn't do anything
    wrong when he made his putt on 16.  Seve has the same view of Norman,
    as Greg did of him.  He should have looked over at Norman before
    actually making his attempt, and he would have seen Normans ball
    on the way to the cup.  And I wouldn't say that anyone choked at
    all.  Until you've been in those shoes, and felt that kind of pressure,
    I wouldn't criticise them.
    
    Beak

    I would just like to say to all you expert golfers, you know who you
    are the ones that never hit a bad shot , never mis a big put and god
    forbid never ever choke when the match is on the line. I can't believe
    you can actually critisize these guys, Half of you hackers aren't
    talented enough to carry thier clubs. If you bannana ball hitting duffers
    and so good I guess I should expect to see next year teeing it up
    with Seve and the boys.
    
    Most of you noters just enjoyed the golf and appreciated the effort
    these guys give under incredable cercumstances. My hat is off to you.
    
    The rest of you stiffs, get your feet back on the ground remember
    compaired to these guys you stink.
    
    Pete ( tell it the way it is)

    
      re: .79     Who are you directing your comments to ??  I went
              back to reread all the replies, and nowhere did I see
              the word "choke" or inflammatory criticism of a player
              to warrant the kind of berating you were dishing out.
              And so what if someone did?  Everyone has a right to
              an opinion. Sheesh, lighten up will you!
    
    -rick

    Rather than go back an isolate the notes that angered me I will
    apologize. I was way out of line. My Dad always said it takes a big man
    to admit when he's wrong so from now on you can call me "BIG GUY"
    although I feel about 2 inches tall. Oh well live and learn.
    
    Pete (open a little wider and stick your other foot in your mouth) 

    Hi,
    I truely enjoyed the Masters again and wish the weather had have
    been better.
    There is one(1) man who qualified for another Masters with his +3
    showing and all of his native Ohians are proud that he has gone
    there 31 times, won 6 and holds the 271 record.
    By the way, anyone that qualified and finished the last two(2) days
    is to be held in the highest regard by us golfers. Also, how many
    of todays leaders will still be "hungry" at 50 like Jack or Lee?
    Tom

    
      Pete,   No sweat.    It's obvious you wanted either Seve, Reid
              or Hoch to win.
    
    -rick_who_couldn't_even_shine_the_pros_shoes

    Pete,
    
      Yea, your right, I couldn't carry their clubs, but that has nothing
    to do with expressing opinion.  I hope everyone enjoyed the Master's
    as much as I did.  I think everyone pulls for a golfer who's style
    they like, and consequently against those they don't like.  Seve
    isn't my favorite, but I realize his excellence on the course is
    hard to match.  I really hoped Crenshaw or Norman would win and
    was just pleasantly suprised to see competition as tough as Seve
    falter.  
    
    Rick_hoping_you_chill_a_little
    
    P.S.  No offense taken if none intended!

    Rick, Point well taken just had an off day.
    
    
    Pete ( is it cold in here or is it just me )

    What a week! It all started on Thursday's USA Network showing. 2+
    hours, than Friday we got a bonus 1/2 hour, Saturday CBS takes it
    till dark, and Sunday 'till 7:45. That's about 11-12 hours of the
    finest golf all year. 
    
    What an ending. For you other Masters junkies, it was a typical
    finish. The old saying "It's only a matter of time before the cream
    rises to the top" is so much a part of the Masters. You look at
    the leader board on Friday, Sat, and Sunday first the front than
    the back nine and it continually brings the big names to the top.
    
    A special question for the Brit's or Scot's across the pond--
    During the Green Jacket ceremony, Faldo had what appeared to be
    a mini Union Jack on his knee. Symbolic of the victory for his
    countrymen back home. Did anyone else notice it? It was there and
    then it was gone next time they panned back from Hord Hardin. Also
    can someone tell me if there is a big fued between the Brits
    and the Scots? I'm just one of those Yanks who spent too many days
    on the golf course instead of going to history class. 
    I found it so much a part of history for Lyle (The Scot in the kilt)
    handing off the Green Jacket to Faldo (the Brit with the flag).
    
    Anyway, I was glued for every minute of televised coverage. Even
    had the wife and my 7 year old and her friends glued to the tube
    as silent as the crowd themselves with me. The exciting thing is
    that next years tourney will be just as "Masterful"
    
    Ken who_is_still_thinking_about_it_and_will_for_another_week_or_two

    Yes I saw the Union Jack. I thought it was one of those caps that
    he'd put on his knee, I didn't really notice that it disappeared.
    
    No _particular_ feud between England and Scotland _as such_. Scots
    are however generally pretty nationalistic about things and have
    many of there own laws. Without wishing to offend any Scots or go
    into further detail in this conf, suffice to say that their isn't
    any feud which would spill over into golf...
    
    WRT green jackets... On the GB coverage, while you in the US had
    commercials, our interviewers had Sandy on wearing his jacket. He
    had some attachments to the cuffs of each sleeve (I don't know 
    what they call them but I've seen them on old military uniforms)
    to go with his kilt. When he did the presentation these had been
    removed - had someone objected?
                                   
    Paul

    re:  The MASTERS
    
         Wow!  What a course, what a tournament.  Wow!

    re:  Seve
    
         I don't think Seve is  that  "demonstrative"  with his temper.  At
         last years International, I saw Paul  Azinger  *bury*  his  putter
         into the 18th green after missing a  very  short  putt.  His caddy
         spent quite some time fixing it up.   Compared  to  that Seve is a
         powder-puff (temper-wise).
    
    re:  Faldo
    
         Good show!
    
    re:  Hoch
    
         Oh well.
    
    re:  Sandy Lyle
    
         I  thought  the  kilt was really sharp (considering golf  history,
         etc.)

    Re .86
    
    Ken, I don't think there is really any animosity between Nick 
    and Sandy. The press blow it up all out of proportion as they do
    most things. The two guys want to win against one another obviously
    and that's no bad thing. Let's just say there is a friendly rivalry
    between them. I think they respect each other for what they are
    at the end of the day - great golfers!!
    
    One point that was amusing was on the British coverage Ian Woosnam
    was passing comments on the situation/result. He was as delighted
    for Nick as anyone and quipped 'I wonder if they have a jacket my
    size for next year'. Sounds like he wants to make it a hattrick
    of European wins.
    
    Generally what a fabulous tournament as usual and well worth staying
    up until 1.15am!! Mind you the whiskey bottle was a great companion
    throughout the duration!! I think Nick's iron to the 11th must have
    been one of the best I've seen with the pressure, the weather and
    the non-existent daylight. Would I love to be able to do that!!
    
    Nick - I love ya baby, you deserved it after last year's 
    disappointments.
    
    
    Phil (whose is going to wrap the video tape in cotton wool)

    What I'd like to know is just what did Faldo say to himself when
    the putt went in. Watch his lips again on the video! It looked to
    me like a 4-letter word, something like "goodness me I do believe
    I have just won".
    
    In GB, Ian Woosnam had a laugh about it so I think he caught it too.
          
    Paul (lucky they don't have a big mike pointing at him)

    Did a SEARCH for $ and couldn't find a purse.  What did the top
    finisher get and what was the total purse?
    
    Kevin,

    Re:< Note 559.91 by DNEAST::FREEMAN_KEVI "The Squeeky Wheel = Neglect" >

    If I remember correctly it was $1.3M purse and $200K for the winner.
    
    Tavo

    Gene,
    	Looking forward to that coffee.  Actually, I hadn't realized
    that you had omitted Faldo from your list.  The point I was making
    was that besides the obvious greats of golf there are about 50 like
    Hoch that can win at any time.  Given his great chip on 17 I think
    he had the nerve to win.  Tremendous entertainment for the ?5th
    year in a row.
    	Speaking of the globe (re the drop article by Madden*) was it
    there that I saw a poll of pga players which rated Scott Hoch most
    unpopular (Crenshaw most popular) just recently.
    	I got the feeling by the way that Lyle was definitely rooting
    for Faldo.  I was rooting for any American just like I always root
    for the American league in World Series (another note I know).
    
    * Madden is the globe writer who tried to compare scores of 1963
    Open and 88 at Brookline to prove "definitively" that modern players
    are better than their forbears. So take him with the grain of salt
    
    
    Bill

    what about the guy i picked KEN GREEN, he was right there all
    weekend, i guess the wheels kinda fell off on aman corner, still
    a good showing for a guy who calls the masters 5th on his list
    of turnaments he rilly "wants"
    
    3 putt bob

    Scott Hoch whom was early referred to (see note 559.93) as most
    unpopular PGA golfer (and my memory is back I am sure now it was
    Joe Concannon of the Boston Globe) was whacked again by the Globe
    Sunday (4/30) in a reference to Scott's verbally assaulting a writer
    trying to interview Tom Watson (at last years Open).
    
    Now I see Scott put on another superb performance and then donate
    100 Gs to charity from his winnings.  His behavior that I can see
    is loose and friendly and outgoing.
    
    Somebody help me.  For what??? is Scott Hoch considered "unpopular"
    (not with Bob Wrenn obviously)??
    
    And / or What was the incident at the Open when Hoch "berated" a
    writer who was interviewing Tom Watson.
    
    bill