About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (April 8, 2019)
Masters tournament truly a masterful experience By Dave Jordan ‘Tis truly a tradition like no other. The Masters Tournament returns in all its splendor this week to that most hallowed acreage, Augusta Nation al Golf Club. We are truly blessed to have such a noteworthy event grace our state every spring - arguably the most prestigious golf tournament in the annals of the sport. Suffice to say, it’s pretty darn cool Georgia is showcased as the wonderful place it is every April to untold millions around the world through the lens of The Masters. Established and first played in 1934, The Masters Tournament was originally known as The Augusta National Invitational and played on the current site. Augusta National Golf Club as we know it was the brainchild of Bobby Jones, who purchased the land in 1931 and co-designed the entire kit and caboodle with renowned golf course architect Alister MacKenzie. It opened in early 1933, and played host to what would become the premier golf event of its day - or any other day since - in March 1934.' A fellow named Horton Smith won the inaugural tournament, fin ishing at 4-under 284 after rounds of 70, 72, 70 and 72. Smith, a native of Missouri nick named “The Joplin Ghost,” won by a single shot over New Yorker Craig Wood, taking home the princely sum of $1,500. Smith also won the third Masters in 1936 and amassed 32 career PGA Tour victories. Wood went on to win the 1941 Masters - and the U.S Open that same year - and finished with 21 wins on Tour. The name “Masters” wasn’t of ficially adopted until 1939 and, of course, it stuck like a Dave Jordan approach shot into the bunker. Since then, hundreds of players, both renowned and lesser-known, have etched their names in the Masters book of lore. Most wins? The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, of course, who won six times: in 1963, ‘65, ‘66, ‘72, ‘75 and in 1986 - when he was 46. I was there, and the word “awe some” hardly does it justice. Lowest score? Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth each blistered the field with scores of 18-under 270 - Woods in 1997 and Spieth in 2015. They were both just 21. Most appearances? Gary Player, with an astounding 52, which in cludes three victories from 1961 to 1978. Course record? A very economical 63, shared by Nick Price and Greg Norman. Highest winning score? A 1-over 289, shot by three different play ers: Sam Snead, a fellow named Jack Burke Jr., and St. Simons Is land resident Zach Johnson, none of whom refused the green jacket. I’ve been to six Masters, if mem ory serves, one of which I literally snuck into using a worker’s badge bought from a stock boy headed home that was nothing more than a slip of paper pinned to my shirt - with HIS name written on it in pen. Twenty bucks well spent, I’d say. Another time I bought a badge from a fellow sitting in traffic on Washington Road - maybe a hun dred yards from the front gate - who had an extra due to his aunt not feeling up to coming that day. I gave him $40 and wished his relative well. (That may very well have been “Nicklaus Sunday,” but I truly can’t recall.) Every human being should make it a point to spend at least one day at The Masters before he breathes his last. Especially every Georgian. I don’t recommend trying to buy badges on the street, but you owe it to yourself to get there somehow, some way. It’s a little slice of heaven, and it’s right up the road. --- Dave Jordan is the host of The Coastal Sports Connection, heard weekdays on Talk Radio 93.7 FM WBQO. April 8, 2019, The Islander, Page 13 GBNET Continued from Page 11 or have been adjudicated and are on probation. A few are in prison and we will deal with them at the earliest,” she said. In a March 28, 2019, press release GCPD Chief John Powell informed the public that GBNET had been disband ed and that all personnel, both County and City, would be re-assigned. Powell stated, “A joint investigative unit will be established that will in clude personnel from the County and City Police Departments. This Unit will function under a new agreement utilizing combined assets to addresses criminal activity in Glynn County and the City of Brunswick. The Unit will be identified as the Brunswick-Glynn Special Investiga tive Unit (SIU). This Unit will conduct investigations concerning narcotic crimes, prostitution, human traffick ing, illegal gambling, criminal street gangs and alcoholic violations.” $ CARLYLE WELLNESS THE R0FID TO WELLNESS STARTS HERE Whatever your game... 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