Some things about Augusta National and the Masters never change – the eye-hurting shade of green, the incredible politeness of the patrons, the brilliance of the azaleas, the pimento cheese sandwiches.
And then there are the changes we are forced to accept. Arnie’s Army no longer plods through the hills and valleys in adoring allegiance. Ceremonial starters Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen no longer provide their sentimental reminder of yesteryear. Jack Nicklaus no longer provides his mastery of the treacherous greens.
And, after this year, two more icons will be missing from the Masters. Gary Player has announced that this year, his record-setting 52nd Masters, will be his last. It is a record that most certainly will never be broken.
And, although the time period may be less, the memories might be equal, Fuzzy Zoeller will be calling it quits 30 years after he became the only rookie ever to win the Masters.. From a writer’s point of view, this has the same crippling effect as losing the first and third rows of your keyboard. Both Player and Zoeller were human quote machines. Ask one question and a column instantly appeared.
Player was certainly the more analytical. His answers often reflected hours of thought, showing the same kind of dogged determination that made him one of the greatest players ever to play the game of golf. And, when the subject turned to physical fitness, he often took on the likeness of an impassioned preacher, delivering his message of salvation from the pulpit.
But he also could have his light side. When asked about why he finally decided to stop attacking the monster that Augusta has become, he said, “My drives are so short any more, I can hear them land.”
Zoeller, on the other hand, wise-cracked his way through life – allowing only brief moments of seriousness to dot his life-is-a-lark attitude. Of course, on one occasion at Augusta, his wisecracks about the menu at Tiger Woods’ champion’s dinner got him in trouble. It was the ultimate example of the punishment not fitting the crime. The experience would have soured a lesser man but Zoeller firmly believes life is too short to waste effort on anything but the pursuit of good times.
Player and Zoeller – opposite in many ways but alike in many others. Both genuinely enjoy people, especially the people they meet along the golf trail.
The last time I interviewed Zoeller was at the PGA Merchandise Show in January. He was promoting a new driver for PowerBilt. But the conversation quickly turned to everything from the grand opening of his course at Reynolds Plantation during the late ’80s – a rowdy party that will never be forgotten – to the quality of the promotional girls at the booths at the PGA Show. No subject was ever off-base for Fuzzy.
The last interview with Palmer was last summer, when he spent a day at a small public course, Skippack GC about 20 miles west of Philadelphia, helping his grandson with a fund raiser he was doing as a community service project for the Boy Scouts.
It was vintage Player, surrounded by family and a group of about 100 people who braved a hot day to take in every word from a true immortal. Despite the heat, Player hit balls, conducted a clinic, hit more balls, answered questions, signed everything in sight and conducted interviews until the last question had been answered. He seemed to revel in the fact that he barely broke a sweat in the sweltering heat. Nor, did he show the slightest bit of fatigue throughout the long hot day.
At the end of that day, I looked him square in the eye and asked, “Gary, why do you continue to do this?”
He looked me square in the eye and answered, “It’s what I know how to do, and what I do best. Mixing with people is the easy part. Delivering a message that can help them is a bit harder but I know they will be better off in the long run if they listen.”
Player, always trying to convert people to a healthier way of life. Zoeller, never trying to convert anyone, but doing so accidentally by spreading his “laughter is the best medicine” doctrine.
They both will be missed at Augusta. It’s a shame that they will no longer be a part of the tournament – but the pimento cheese sandwiches will.
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