Conference 7.286::golf

    Great Information....Thanks
    
    My moneys on:
    
    1. Tom Kite - he has something to prove after last year and he's
    the hottest golfer in the world right now.
    
    2. Fred Couples - It's tough to defend but he's in great form, player
    of the year last year.
    
    3. Nick Faldo - perennial contender and the most consistent player in
    the world over the past 5 years.
    
    4. Greg Norman - Re-motivated and extremely capable... Doral Victory
    
    Nostalgic favorites:
    
    1. Jack Nicklaus - Healthy and remotivated (Doral Interview) - I love
    him as the Greatest Player of ALL Time.
    
    2. Ray Floyd - Came close last year - Great Short Game
    
    Both of these players love the course, the event and can get it going
    in the MASTERS.
    
    Who'll ever forget the last time Nicklaus won the Green Jacket and that
    outstanding back nine!!!!!
    
    Jim

    
    Hi,
    	
    	Good job Don... typing all the info! I know how you type, and
    	based on all the letters, you must have been hunt n peckin for
    	quite some time !
    
    	Masters.  Hmmmm...??  Who will it be this year???
    
    	Darn. Forgot the crystal ball, I'll have to get back to you later.
    
    	thanks Walta

	Champion	Tom Kite	-12
	First Runner Up	Freddy Couples	-10
	Next Runner Up	Nick Faldo	-9

    
    Interesting enough is that "Golf Digest" is picking Davis Love III to
    win this years Masters.....They provide some pretty interesting odds
    for some big names at this tourney.
    
    I still think there may be a repeat and Freddie "Boom-Boom" Couples
    graps the jacket again...
    
    Bob Montville

    Speaking of odds...
    
    The Imperial Palace Sports Book has a line on whether certain golfers
    will win a "Major" championship this year.  Here are some of the
    notables:
    
    	Nick Faldo		8/5
    	Ian Woosnam		9/5
    	Fred Couples		9/5
    	Davis Love		3/1
    	J M Olazabal		5/1
    	Paul Azinger		5/1
    	Tom Kite		6/1
    	Ian Baker-Finch		12/1
    	Payne Stewart		8/1
    	Seve Ballesteros	6/1
    	Nick Price		5/1
    	Corey Pavin		7/1
    	John Cook 		7/1
    	Greg Norman		10/1
    	Ray Floyd		11/1
    
    I'll post more later if I have time...
    
    Dan

    I'd like to see Mr Holiday (Tom Kite) win it.  I believe th Masters is
    on Easter weekend this year...  He seems to be on a streak - Mother's
    Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day ...
    
    Mike

    	I wonder how much snow Augusta got over the weekend and what 
    effect it might have on the Masters....... It's only 3? more weeks,
    and will the azaleas be alive, never mind in bloom?

    I want to know how I can get a few pounds on Greg Norman at 10:1. He
    looks like a lock for a major. Refocused and all, skipped this week,
    and will play the Arnie Bay Hill, TPC, probably skip the week before
    the Masters and be ready come April.
    
    BTW, Augusta Natl installed some high tech heating system to protect
    the flowers a few years. If the azaleas are not blooming for the
    masters, they crank up the heat and induce blooming. They also have a
    sophisticated heating system under a few greens. I can picture this,
    the entire southeast in under snow except for 250 acres in Augusta.
    
    Ken

    
    re. last
    
    Famous last words but.......don't waste your money on Norman...the man
    has a serious "bottle" problem. 
    
    Has any man in history blown more majors than Norman? Under pressure
    he just hasn't got what it takes. He only won the Open because he had
    shots in hand, had he only been a shot ahead in that one I reckon he
    would have blown it to.
    
    Don't get me wrong,I'm a big fan of Norman and for years on the regular
    tour he has been one of the greats but when it comes down to the wire
    in the events that really matter ie. the majors, he ain't got the
    nerve.
    
    Take the easy way out and back Faldo. Love him or hate him you can
    guarentee a run for your money. Unlike Norman, when it comes to the big
    ones he won't bottle it. Top 3 finish at worst.
    
    Top american......Tom Kite.
    
    Del.                     

    
    Too bad Faldo can't putt, as he's a great ball striker.  Winner
    is Freddy or Tom Kite.
    
    On another note, we had a significant snow storm in May one year,
    similar to what Atlanta would have seen.  The golf courses weathered
    fine and we were playing in three days.
    
    The course should be in great shape.
    
    Looking forward to it,
    
    Jim from the Great White North.
    
    

    Heard on one of the Dallas sports talk shows, Augusta got very little
    snow and the course should be fine.
    
    Ken

Anders Forsbrand, the Swedish hardhitter, has got a * card, due to his 
performance in Europe last season (#4).

He will play all the majors this year and is planning for these tournaments, 
and not ! for Ryder Cup.

However, he seems to be below last year form curve, proved by missing some cuts
lately. Normally he's a very steady golfer soo, we will se what he can do in the 
Masters

Cheers

Bengt (Obsessed Ping Player)

    
    I've just spent the last hour watching a rerun of the '86 Masters.
    
    Watching the Bear's performance thru' the back nine, I still can't 
    believe what he did that day. Genius is the only way to describe it.
    
    Can't wait for this years. If the excitment is half that of '86 it
    will be memorable.
    
    Del. 

    Does anyone know what Nick Faldo has been up to the past few weeks?  I
    expected to see him play at the TPC and at Bay Hill last week, but it
    seems he did not enter either tournament.
    
    Does he usually take the month prior to the majors off to prepare?
    
    Gary

     I believe his wife is giving birth..

    
    Hi Everyone,
    
    	The big week is upon us! Round 1 begins thursday...  so I'd better
    	get my pick in now.
    
    	Players to watch
    
    	Norman, Stewart, Kite, Faldo, Nicklaus 
    
    
    	I like Greg, his all around game is awesome. Due to his problems
    	closing, he will allow others a shot at victory. I expect 
    	a VERY close final round. Like a lipped putt that doesn't drop...
    	which allows Greg the win . 
    
    	Get your VCR's ready!
    
    
    	thanks
    
    	Walta

    There are quite a few big names playing really good right now. Could be
    wide open this year. I liked to see Norman win it he's playing really
    solid right now but after watching Nick Price at the Players 2 weeks
    ago I would say he's playing the best golf of anyone I've seen. Payne
    Stewart seems to be really hungry for a victory. Should be a real shoot
    out. As a dark horse pick I'll take Jeff Sluman.

    
    
    I have to go with Tom Kite.
    
    I just think that it's time for him to win.
    
    Dave

    
    
    What size jacket does a Shark wear?!?

    	I'd go with either Norman or Price, and I'll keep predicting the
    shark until I get it right!!!!!

    Norman is playing very well right now.  Course favors the long hitters,
    who hit it high.  My top 3 would be...
    
    Norman
    Freddie
    Price
    
    
    Chuck

    Here's a pick that will suprise a few but this guy is playing great and
    has a great international record.
    
    I'm picking VJ Singh. He came to the States a few weeks ago and had a
    strong showing. Finished well this past week again.
    
    My sentimental favorite is Kite. After the hosing he got last year you
    know he's pumped. He would love to sit in the Butler cabin after it's
    all over gloating in his Green Jacket.
    
    One thing you can count on, the leader board on Sunday will be the
    who's who in the world.
    
    Ken

    
    re. -1   
    
    come on now Rick!!!     ;^)

    Like Ken V., I wouldn't be completely surprised if Singh won either.
    He's long, and a fine iron player. I just don't know if he'll be able
    to handle those scary greens...
    
     Otherwise, probably Norman, Price, Couples or Kite. Faldo might turn
    it up a notch, too...
    
    __Jack

     I'm not positive but I don't believe that V.J. Sing is entered.

    
    according to the latest list in Golf World, he is not entered.

    
    	I remember hearing a couple of weeks ago. That VJ Singh did
    not qualify for this years Masters. Does the Masters give out
    foreign excemptions? If so I think VJ has earned an invitation from
    his recent play. Problem is when do they send out the invites.
    	My pick for the green jacket is Greg Norman though. He has
    a new dedication to golf and his patience has matured. He is no
    longer firing at difficult pins and is only taking risks when
    necessary (17 at the TPC).
    
    /Ron

    
    Joe,
    
       Somebody else must have logged into my account and picked Faldo.
      Of course Freddie will win going away for his back to back.  
      Debbie's bank account will win going away as well.
    
    -rick

    
    Rick,
    
    that's better. speaking of the Fred and Debbie saga.....
    
    best tee shirt seen on a female at a New Orleans:
    
    	"I hate polo ponies"
    
    It got her a brief conversation with Fred!!
    
    Joe

    
    I don't know who to pick, my two favorites Freddie and Norman are
    basically doomed due to the abundant support in here :-)
    
    Me, I'll pick: payne Stewart.
    
    Others in the top 5, Norman, Freddie, Kite and Crenshaw
    
    --Bob
    

With Kite nursing a bad back.....I'm left with 5 guys who are playing
real well of late:

  Norman - short game is on a roll
  Stewart - finishing high every week
  Mize - laying low this past week, but in contention earlier in season
  Floyd - short game a blazing
  Love III - in contention most tournies

I'd love to see Freddie do it, but personal stuff is in the way and Woosie
says his draw has left him and he's sruggling with mechanics.
Stewart's head is fighting the putting stroke and Augusta Ntl isn't the
place for that.
Love gets a few too many wild tee shots that'll cost him dearly.

Leaves me with Mize, Floyd and Norman. If Norman doesn't stray and plays
Thursday and Friday like its the weekend, its his tournament to win.
If he falters, I choose Mize or Floyd with the nod going to Mize.

Gary

Price is the hottest player right now, winning 5 times since the PGA 
and placing in the top ten 17 of 24 outings, which is pretty amazing.
Only a fool wouldn't put his (or her) money on Price.

I pick Tom Watson.

    reply -2
    
    	Hi Tom,
    
    	Good one!  
    
    	Walta

    Faxon isn't enough for one pick so I want him and Andrade as an Rhode
    Island tandem.
    
    Fair enough.
    
    Over-the-Hill Bill

    
    	Watching the Masters preview show last night heard lots of
    	commentary on the wetness of the course, especially the
    	greens.  This should allow many more players into the field
    	especially those that take risks.  Tom Kite with his 
    	conservative style and his recent performance might have
    	been my choice.  But with the forcasted playing conditions
    	a Lanny Wadkins, Price, etc is a likely candidate.

    the Wall Street Journal has a Master pullout section today - Adv for
    Cadillac

    
    re. -1
    
    Masters trivia. Who are the only two TV sponsors, ever, for the Masters
    telecast??
    

    Cadillac and Travelers Insurance.
    
    __Jack

     Anyone heard the results of the par-3 tourney?  Isn't winning the
     par-3 the kiss of death for winning the Masters?

     Bill

    Re:    <<< Note 1641.43 by XELENT::MUTH "Nowhere to go, 5 min. to get there" >>>

    If I remember correctly Chip Beck won with 6 under.
    
    Tavo
    

    
    
    How about Jack, has anyone
    been following his game lately?
    
    It would make for a great Sunday
    if he were in contention.
    
    Dave

    Re:                    <<< Note 1641.45 by TILTS::VANDERPOT >>>

>    How about Jack, has anyone

    What about Jack???!!!! 
    
    After the  first  round  he's  tied  in  FIRST place with four other.
    (Mize, Pavin, Jensen and ???)
    

    Any results from the Second Round Please.????
    
    
    
    Dav

    Its raining at Augusta!!!  I just talked my son into looking at Golf on
    TV for two mins.  All he got was that J. Maggert was leading at -7 with
    D. Forsman and R. Floyd at -6.
    
    Can't wait to get home and watch it.
    
    Mike

    Does anybody know the final placings......who's got the jacket.????
    
    
    Dav.

    
    Congratulations to Bernhard Langer on a terrific performance.
    
    On the final day he never looked as if he wasn't going to win
    and the 4 shot victory was totally deserved. Unlike '85, which
    most people regard as the Master's that Curtis Strange lost rather
    than Langer won, he won this time from the front. The challenge to
    his lead never really materialised as most people would have hoped.
    Only Dan Forsman looked to mount a challenged when he cut Langer's
    lead to one shot. That disappeared when he took a disasterous 7 at the
    short 12th and really from then on it was all over.
    
    Chip Beck had a chance to challenged but why did he decide not to go 
    for the 15th green in 2. He was 3 shots ahead of 3rd place at the time.
    Surely it was a risk worth taking......an eagle could have put pressure
    on Langer......on the other hand had he dumped it in the water and
    taken 7 he would probably have still finished 2nd. A strange decision
    for a man that could have rewritten the record books by being the
    first to win the Par 3 tournament and The Masters.
    
    Del.  
        

    	USA Today tells of an eagle that Long John Daly got on no. 2 on
    Sunday, a 555 yard par 5. After a "piddly" drive of 391 yards, his 
    approach from 164 yards (probably a wedge, maybe a nine iron) ended up
    eight inches from the cup.  Wow!

    I watched all of the tourney and couldn't agree more! Langer is a
    deserving champion, and a first class guy. I have no idea what Beck was
    thinking on #15, and no one commented on his lie, so I assume he was
    sitting o.k. IMO, you GOTTA "go" from there. Even if you hit it ugly,
    you might still make 5, or should make 6 (me excluded...). Looks like
    Beck doesn't need all that room in his pants...
    
    Sat. was great! I can't remember seeing #s 12, 13 and 16 playing so
    tough - it really brings out the best in the ball strikers. Perfect
    days, where it becomes a putting contest, kind of bore me. John Daly
    played very well - nice to see an iconoclast "shine" at this bastion of
    conservatism. I'll bet the chairman (Jack Stephens ?) was DYING to chat
    with Daly and hand HIM the Green Jacket...
    
    __Jack 

    Quote of the day yesterday from Gary McCord talking about hole #17:
       
    "...on the left side of the fairway is 'Ike's tree', and on the other
    side we have the 'Ross Perot' tree, which is far to the right and
    bothers everyone."
    
    Gary

Its not surprising who won it, but it is surprising who didn't!

Big names with big numbers:

Shark: 77 Sunday
Faldo: 77 Sat. (nice 67 on Sun. though)
Price: 81 Fri. MC

    Probably the most uneventful Masters in recent history. Langer played
    great golf all the way around. He got very lucky by not going in the
    water on 11. Left of the flag and staying dry was as fortunate as
    Freddie staying out of the water on 12 last year. 
    
    Ween bucket of the decade = Chip Beck. what a decision. I guess the
    Wal-Mart label fits him perfectly. Where were all the names that
    traditionally show up on Sunday. The faders included Floyd, Norman,
    Jack, Faldo, Seve. I couldn't believe Seve hit it in the water on 15.
    Congrats to Daly. He should just take a few more seconds on those putts.
    He wasn't going to hold up Beck and Langer. 
    
    Langer dosen't wear a watch, he wears a sun dial. The guys got a 4 shot
    lead with 2 to play and he's taking 5 minutes to putt. 
    
    I have been a Masters junkie since the 60s, and plan my schedule around
    the TV coverage. This year was a let down. No one makes a move on the
    leader, and the one guy that has a chance to win plays for second. I
    had a bunch of guys from the club over to watch and we all wanted him
    to chunk it in the water after laying up. 
    
    Well, next year's schedule is being penciled in. TV Thurs., Fri., and
    the weekend. 
    
    Maybe Bob Jones was taking the weekend off.
    
    Ken   

    Chip Beck's decision to not go for the 15th in two is like Babe Ruth
    coming to bat with runners at first and second, behind by two runs, and
    then bunting.  Well Chip won't need to worry about getting distracted
    by his version of "Arnie's Army", because I think his family will be
    quiet.  He had one chance to go for the win and he didn't, I guess he
    never heard about  the original Americas Cup - the Queen was informed
    that the Americans won and she asked who finished second - she was
    informed that there was no second place.  Well, its one less pro you
    need to worry about if you want to enter the Open.
    
    Big Mac

    The Masters telecast had promise when it first came on with the 4 stroke
    gap narrowed to one and many players in the hunt.  As soon as the cameras
    came on, the birdies stopped coming.   The only one that could make birdies
    was Langer.  Well, Forsman too after his 'what was he thinking of' on 
    number 12.  Give him a lot of credit for putting that disaster behind him
    and playing reasonably well from #13 in.

    Chip Beck.  Oh brother.   To quote him talking to his caddie.  "Let's
    play smart on this one".   No Chip, let's play like a wimpy coward for
    second place.  Sheeesh!   The announcers could hardly conceal their
    utter disgust with him.  Even Langer was wondering why he decided to 
    chicken out.   Under the conditions, and his place as the only
    challenger left, laying up should not have even been considered as an
    alternative.

    Best entertainment for the entire day?  Had to be Tom Weiskopf(sp)'s
    melodramatic ramblings on Langers tee shot on the par 5 13th.  What
    a hoot!   Couldn't wait for the leaders to reach McCord's hole.  Wanna
    bet Gary is outta future Master's for the Perot joke?

    Langer played great, deserved the green jacket and showed why he now is
    among the best putters in the world today.  


    Hey John Daly.  .......   SMILE !!!!


-rick
    

    What about Greg Norman talking about giving his golf ball to a fan he
    had hit. Something like "I gave him the ball. I hit him in the groin,
    so I wasn't gonna rub it..."
    
    __Jack

	I thought that Sunday's round was very dull.  Either it wasn't
	there or the coverage just didn't show very much great shot
	making.  The players didn't display a whole lot of personality
	and they certainly didn't look like they were enjoying playing
	in the Masters.

	I found myself hoping that Langer would make a mistake or two
	just to give the other guys incentive to take some chances and
	try to catch him.  Can you imagine playing so slow that the 
	coverage has to come back and check in two or three times before
	he had even made a club selection.  

	Well it's time to play instead of watch.  If this @#$% rain 
	will ever stop.

    One more note on Beck. I guess he looked to rack up a few Ryder Cup
    points with a strong finish. Well this is one American that hopes he
    takes that September week off. 
    
    I could hear him now "we're down a point, lets play it safe and secure
    second"  
    
    Ken
    
    BTW, next year sign a real golf shirt endorsement. The stripe was gone
    5 years ago. Even Jack had a stylish shirt on Friday.
    
    

    As a new golfer, I noticed that some of the guys playing the Masters
    seemed to align their putts using something on their golf balls. Were
    they using the markings on the balls to define their putting line? Did
    I just learn a new tool to better putting? 
    

    What they are doing is lining up the ball's name or label with the line
    of the putt, which can certainly help with direction.  It can also show
    whether you strike the ball flush, push or pull the ball.  A flush
    stroke will show the label as a "straight" line while the ball rolls
    toward the hole.  Pushes or pulls will make the line "wobble" as it
    rolls. 
    
    
    Gary

    Don't knock Chip Beck. It was a very good decision not to go after 
    Langer. I mean, my 10 punts bet at 20/1 wouldn't have been as safe
    if Beck had a go. I love him!!!! I toasted him with a Becks!!