The Masters

I don’t usually get excited about watching golf. I don’t make a habit of watching on TV and I could probably only tell you the big names in golf. Which is unfortunate because I come from a pretty decent golf background. My dad won the Virginia State Open 3 times, won the Middle Atlantic Open in ’84 and played for three years on the PGA Tour. He doesn’t really like telling people all about it, so I like to brag on him a littleMy uncle Gil is also a great golfer, winning tons of amateur tournaments (I’m a little more hazy on the details of his golfing achievements…but his name shows up a lot at Army Navy Country Club!) And my other two uncles (yep, 4 brothers!) are also good golfers. Despite this lineage, I didn’t even pick it up until the end of high school. And although I love it now, I wouldn’t say that I love watching it. My dad never really watched golf on TV when I was growing up, and (let’s get real) it’s pretty slow and – dare I say – boring to watch. When I’ve watched it in the past, it’s just to get some inspiration for my swing – watching the tempo, seeing the fundamentals at their best. Seeing it really helps me understand the swing and to catch what’s off in mine.

However, I gotta say this past Masters was awesome!  I know this would have been more pertinent on Monday, but I’m a little behind. Anyways. The Masters. It was close all the way to the end; everyone was fighting so hard and even with a few holes to play, there were so many people still right there. I’ve never believed anchors when they talk about the drama- but oh man, there was drama.  I had never even heard of Charl Schwartzel before Sunday and he comes out of no where to take it from everyone!  Watching it was truely inspirational. If you didn’t catch it, I recommend watching some highlights.  I do feel bad for Rory McIlroy; I was rooting for him pretty hard, but I still love the story. Golf isn’t easy, and to overcome on that kind of stage, to will yourself to victory over other players, to take on the pressure and embrace the challenge – man. I’m so impressed with Schwartzel; I love that story.  I mean, I could probably ramble on for a long time and not really say anything coherent. So let’s just say this – Way to go Schwartzel and congrats on being a champion and seizing your moment!

Below is a picture of my dad when he was playing on the tour in the 80s.