I’ve got a fairly new pal Bob Weaver who just got back from The Masters. His family is from that area and has had badges for The Masters since the 1950’s. He has one pair of original Masters tickets for every year dating clear back to something like 1957. He travels to Augusta every year to attend the tournament. He hinted to me that in two years, I may be privileged enough to go with him. I will be counting the days.

Bob brought me back some Augusta National groceries (from my shopping list) and told me some great nuggets about this years Masters. I’m going through my Masters bag of goodies right now. The bag itself has the Masters logo! I’ll report and post some pics of this, the coolest shopping bag ever.

Bob had me completely in awe as he told me a great story about when he was at the 1986 Masters. You know, that Masters where a certain player won his 6th green jacket? If you don’t know who that certain player is…shame on you. That player is Jack.

Jack Nicklaus’ final Masters victory is always a highlight during Masters week, and throughout the year. They always show his putt on 17 for birdie to put him into the lead. That is only part of the story about 17 according to my friend Bob.

On that Sunday Bob placed himself in the landing area of the tee shots on 17. Jack’s tee shot landed just a few feet from him. The ball’s final resting place was right on a root of an old oak tree. When Jack and Jackie (his caddy and son) got to the ball perched on the root they surveyed the situation. Jack turned to Jackie and asked “what do you think?” Jackie turned to Jack and said “It’s an easy 8 iron for you. It’s a 7 iron for me, but it’s an easy 8 iron for you.”

Jack then took the 8 iron out and picked the ball so cleanly off the root it didn’t even leave a mark. The ball of course landed on the green and spun back to where Jack would make that most famous of Masters putts.

Now you know the rest of the story.