Lew Hege

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Herald Senior Sports Columnist

The generations of golfers at The Masters Tournament have always been related in some manner. No, not related by bloodlines, but in other meaningful ways.

For instance, one of the most famous Augusta National members was President Eisenhower - back in the ‘50s. At the end of that decade, a prominent future member won the first of his four green jackets. Of course that was Arnold Palmer.

A similar bit of “lineage” occurred this year. South Africa's most famous golfer, Gary Player, was born about 18 months after the first Masters Tournament was contested in 1934. Player, who won three Masters (1961, 1974 and 1978) won his final major at Augusta about 18 months before Trevor Immelman was born.

Immelman, who won The Masters yesterday, had one idol in the sport - fellow countryman, Player. It was fitting that Player competed in his 51st Masters this year, a record, and was on hand to see his good friend win his first major. South Africa has produced some great players, but only Immelman has managed to join Player as the winner of golf's greatest prize.

I remember following Player up the 17th fairway when he won The Masters in 1974, standing no more than 30 feet from him when he hit in at No. 17. I also remember his triumph in the '78 Masters - for several reasons.

First, because he held off the best player of that decade, Tom Watson, to clinch his final major win. Second, because Rod Funseth, who tied for second place, stayed beside us at our hotel. Funseth died just a few years later. And third, because Hubert Green missed two very short putts in the final three holes to lose the championship. Green missed one at no. 16, then another short one at no. 18. Although he won the U. S. Open, he never won the green jacket.

And years later, Green was the neighbor of my mother and father-in law in Panama City. Yes, it is a small world.

CBS showed an old picture of Player holding up a 5-year old Immelman. A small world indeed that they would meet in Augusta after Trevor won The Masters almost 30 years later.

The Masters seems like the fastest week in sports. It feels like the tournament goes by so quickly - and then we have to wait a whole year for the most exciting four days in sports to return. I've never had that feeling with the other majors.

MASTERS NOTES:

Not only was this the 30th anniversary of Player's final win at Augusta, it was also the 40th anniversary of Roberto De Vincenzo's scoring gaffe. Roberto made a three on the par-4, 17th hole, but signed for a four there and missed a playoff with the winner, Bob Goalby. Tommy Aaron, who was keeping De Vicenzo's card, would win the tournament the first year I attended in 1973 ... I had the opportunity to meet Señor De Vicenzo at the World Cup in Buenos Aires in 1999 ... I also remember seeing Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and everyone since play Augusta National ... You go to a place 35 straight years and you feel a special connection to that place, especially if it is like no other in the world of sports ... And it's 360 days - and counting.