Masters Memories



The Brandenburg Historical Golf Museum holds an incredible collection of Masters memorabilia.
Enjoy every Master's champion's photo and autograph, from
1976 to 1999, in the Brandenburg Museum

With April quickly approaching, one thing is on most golf-lovers' minds: the first major of the year is almost here. Augusta, with its rhododendrons, dogwoods and azaleas all in bloom during the tournament, tend to attract golfers and non-golfers alike.

Much has to do with the beauty of the golf course, but Augusta also seems to throw most players for a loop. There is always excitement on the final day. Leading up to this year's Masters, we will relive some of the memorable events from this tournament.



Seve Ballesteros

Severiano "Seve" Ballesteros
Born in 1957 in Northern Spain, Seve was the youngest of five children. One sibling died in childhood; all others became professional golfers. Seve learned how to play golf with a three-iron given to him by his older brother. The beaches around his home became his practice grounds. When he was supposed to be in school, he often ended up on the beach, practicing with his three-iron. Ballesteros turned pro at the young age of 16. Only two years later, in 1976, he tied with Jack Nicklaus for a second place at The Open, six shots behind Johnny Miller.

Ballesteros had instantly become a household name.

Known for his mastery of posting incredible scores while struggling off the tee, Ballesteros was a true short-game master. He was, literally, all over the place, and because of his creativity, he was a lot of fun to watch. In 1979 during his first Open win, he earned the title "Car Park Champion." This for a good reason: On the 16th hole, a par 4, Ballesteros hit his tee shot into the parking lot. He took his free drop, hit a sand wedge to 18 feet and made the birdie putt. The win made him the youngest winner of the tournament in the 20th century (17-year-old Old Tom Morris won in 1868), and Ballesteros was the first golfer from continental Europe to win a major since Frenchman Arnaud Massy won the Open in 1907.

In 1980, at the age of 23, Seve won his first Masters title. Once again, he was the youngest player to ever win the green jacket. (Tiger Woods has since then beat his record, winning the tournament in 1997 at the age of 21.) Needless to say, Ballesteros was playing some incredible golf.



1983 Masters

In 1983, the field included many successful players: Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Tom Watson, and Craig Stadler to mention a few.


Craig Stadler, the 1982 champion, gives Ballesteros a
hand with his newly earned green jacket

Ballesteros posted a first round of 68 to put him right in the mix. Friday was a wash out. (Looking back at the tournament history, there has been a pattern of weather delays. 1983 was the last time a round was cancelled due to weather.) After recording 70-73 during the second and third rounds, Seve was one shot behind Stadler and Raymond Floyd.

The final round, played on Monday, started out with the scale tipping heavily in Seve's direction. He recorded a birdie on the 1st hole, an eagle on the 2nd, a par on the 3rd and a birdie on the 4th — four under par through four holes. It seemed as if he would run away with the title, but, as mentioned before, Augusta usually has something in its back pocket on the final day. For Ballesteros, the Amen corner brought trouble. He bogeyed the 12th hole, and follow that with a snap-hooked drive into the woods on the 13th, and people started thinking this wasn't over. But Ballesteros did what he was a master at. He pitched out, was able to reach the green in regulation, and he saved his par.

 



An up close photo of Ballesteros,
the Masters Champion from 1983.

“I told my caddie after I parred 13 that ‘from here to the last hole we have to play the last holes in par,’ and we did,” Ballesteros said.

 

Enough said. Ballesteros won by four shots over Crenshaw and Kite.

Read more: http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/british-open/2010-07/seve-ballesteros