In addition to being a living museum chalked full of history, Colonial Williamsburg also offers golf enthusiasts some of the best golf courses in the country. The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club located on the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg is a 45 hole golf resort that offers some of the most scenic and challenging golf in the United States. Situated on an Audubon sanctuary, the three courses that make up the Golden Horseshoe differ in layout and difficulty.

Despite the varying course layouts, each course offers its guests a scenic walk through nature without a single residence marring the magnificent Southern Virginia views.

What makes the Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Reese Jones deigned courses even better is that each course offers a unique round of golf to all those who accept the challenge.

From the difficult Gold Course to the par 3 filled Spotswood Course, the Golden Horseshoe appeals to golfers of all abilities.

Give Yourself the Ultimate Test by Playing the Difficult Gold Course

Opened in 1963 the Gold Course has been described by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. as his “finest design”. This course, which is ranked by Golf Digest as one of the top 100 public courses in the United States, offers even the most skilled golfers a challenge they won’t soon forget.

Although its 6,871 yards does not initially intimidate those wishing to challenge this course, it becomes apparent as soon as you walk to the first tee that the Gold Course will not yield birdies so easily. As is one of the defining characteristics of a Robert Trent Jones, Sr. course, the Gold Course is designed with accuracy as the primary objective. Narrow tree lined fairways that demand precision on every shot are further enhanced in difficulty by the many doglegs that force players to focus on both accuracy and distance control.

Possessing some excellent signature holes such as the mammoth 634 yard par 5 15th and the island green par 3 16th, golfers can expect to be challenged all the way to their final putt on 18. And speaking of putting, I’m by no means a good golfer, so this is coming from a mid-handicapper, but I’ve never putted on more difficult greens than those found on the Gold Course.

The Green Course: Less of a Challenge Yet Still a Substantial One

Although the Green Course plays slightly longer then the Gold at around 7120 yards, this par 72 course gives less experienced golfers a better chance of holding onto their golf ball collection. Reese Jones, Robert Trent Jones’ son, designed this course with wider fairways to allow slightly wayward shots to remain playable.
The Green Course, designed in 1991, celebrated its 20 year anniversary in November, 2011 with a fife and drum shotgun start that celebrated the opening of the course while also exhibiting appreciation for the historical significance of the former Basset Hill Plantation land that now makes up the 18 holes.

Although the Green Course allows players to breathe a little easier with less challenging shots, this course, which was the host of the 2004 United States Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, still possesses its fair share of challenges.

Of all of the great holes at the Green Course, none combine the beauty of the surrounding scenery with the course’s challenging design than the par 3 11th. This 160 yard hole forces the golfer to make a club selection that must take into account the severe decrease in elevation from the tee to the green. This decrease can result in as much as a three club variation in shot selection. If the wrong club is selected, golfers will watch their well struck tee shots sail over the green and into the woods or, if not enough club is selected, into the pond that guards the front.

The Spotswood Course Allows All to Enjoy the Game

For those golfers who enjoy the scenic walk more than the challenge that golf demands, the Spotswood is a 9 hole course that contains six par 3 holes ranging from 90-210 yards, is a great way for golfers to enjoy a relaxing round regardless of their age or ability level.
Named the “best short 9 hole course in the country” by Golf Magazine the Spotswood course, named after Governor Alexander Spotswood, was modified from its original 1947 design by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in 1963.

Measuring at a mere 1865 yards, this course is a great way for beginning golfers to start their lifelong love affair with the game. This course offers players a large array of chances to capture the elusive first birdie that will keep them coming back for many years to come.

Regardless of what Golden Horseshoe course a golfer chooses to play, they can rest assured that their walk in the woods in the most historic land in all of America serves as the ultimate destination for any golf enthusiast.

If you liked this one, feel free to check out our other Golf course reviews and if you’re looking to play, here’s a selection of discounted tee times.

All of us can use a break from our sometimes hectic lives and although it can get more difficult each year to find the time to experience this much needed reprieve, the slowing down in life for a couple of days allows you the opportunity to recharge their batteries and enjoy some of the finer things that life has to offer.

Although there are many travel destinations that this can occur, placing the proper perspective on modern day life can be best accomplished through the appreciation and understanding of what it took to for American to reach it’s current status.

Taking a look back at United States history is one great way for individuals to regain this perspective. To achieve such perspective, there is no better place to visit than a little town in Virginia called Colonial Williamsburg that operates on the belief that “the future may learn from the past.” Located in the historical triangle district of Southeast Virginia that includes Yorktown and Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg is a living historical museum where visitors can witness colonial life first hand in the town where American democracy was born.

The town of Williamsburg was founded in 1693 the same year that the second oldest university in the United States, the College of William and Mary was established, an institution that has educated some of America’s best leaders including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Marshall.

Based on the historical significance of Williamsburg, the re-creation of Colonial Williamsburg was undertaken by W.A.R. Goodwin and John and Abby Rockefeller in the early 20th century to restore the town of Williamsburg to its 18th century appearance. During the project many of the destroyed buildings were rebuilt and many others were restored to look as they did when Williamsburg served as Virginia’s capital. As a result of the work, the living Colonial Williamsburg museum was created.

This museum contains historical buildings such as the Capitol building, Governor’s Palace, Bruton Parish Church and Raleigh Tavern that are all open throughout the year for the public to tour. This Williamsburg experience is further developed by the reenactment of the daily lives of Williamsburg residents in the 18th century. This reenactment allows visitors to experience firsthand how colonial residents lived during the development of the United States.

Colonial Williamburg also offers historical themed days throughout the year that recapture some of its most historical events. These events include the founding of Williamsburg, the occupation of Williamsburg by British forces and visits to Williamsburg from historical figures such as George Washington during the 18th century. With the historically accurate re-creations along with the restored 18th century buildings, Colonial Williamsburg provides its visitors a unique historical experience that both engages and informs as they tour the beautiful Southern Virginia countryside.

Beyond the living re-creation of 18th century, Colonial Williamsburg also has two historical art museums that display a wide range of antiques and folk art that were constructed in the 18th century. The Abby Rockefeller Folk Art Museum was designed in 1957. At that time, the museum contained Abby Rockefeller’s donated folk art collection that she had previously donated to both the Ludwell-Paradise House in Williamsburg, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. The 429 piece collection of Abby has since grown to include over 3,000 pieces.

Another popular museum on the Colonial Williamsburg grounds is the Basset Hall, an 18th century frame house that was built somewhere between 1753-1766. This historical house was named after Martha Washington’s nephew Burwell Basset and has housed historical visitors such as George Custer during the civil war era.

During the initial restoration stages of Colonial Williamsburg, John and Abby Rockefeller resided in Basset Hall. Since that time,, Basset Hall has been open to the public to view and gives its visitors a unique perspective on how upper class society lived in the 18th century.

Accommodations

Colonial Williamsburg’s hotels blend comfortable accommodations with convenient access to the historic area, recreation, dining and more. The hotels are favorites of leisure travelers from families to couples, and extend exclusive program offerings to hotel guests. Top-notch customer service and attention to detail are consistent across the properties.

During your trip to this history rich area, you’ll encounter anything from on-site magic shows, evening storytelling programs and cookie decorating, to special historic area programming, a gingerbread village with a moving train (holidays) and exclusive access to Thomas Jefferson/other 18th-century personalities.

The Williamsburg Inn – The intimate and elegant Williamsburg Inn was built as a home away from home for friends of John D. Rockefeller and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. Today, the hotel continues to welcome leisure guests and esteemed dignitaries from all over the world. Marble bathrooms, spacious bedrooms and fresh flowers in each room are some of the signature components of rooms at the Inn.

The Williamsburg Lodge: At the folk-art inspired Williamsburg Lodge, the ambiance of a southern family home prevails. One of the two original hotels envisioned by John D. Rockefeller, the property now consists of eight buildings, interconnected by sheltered walkways. Rooms are large and comfortably accommodate families.

Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites: The Woodlands is Colonial Williamsburg’s family hot spot. With daily continental breakfast and an entire recreation center complete with an 18-hole mini golf course, volleyball, shuffleboard, ping pong, an outdoor pool, and more, the hotel is always bustling with families.

Colonial Houses: The Colonial Houses (Historic Lodging) offer guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the experience, providing the most convenient access to Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. Located on Duke of Gloucester Street and on the adjacent side streets, these original and reconstructed 18th-century buildings are Colonial Williamsburg’s equivalent of oceanfront rooms.

Providence Hall: Located adjacent to the Williamsburg Inn, the rooms at Providence Hall overlook the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club or Colonial Williamsburg’s tennis courts. These sunny rooms surrounded by nature feature contemporary design with oriental accents.

Recreation

The Golden Horseshoe Golf Club consists of 45 holes (Gold course, Green course and the Spotswood), two restaurants and a pro shop. I’ll be doing a detailed write-up on each course in my next post, but the one thing that to this day, sticks out in my mind is how fast the greens on these courses were.

The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg is a 20,000 square-foot facility with a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, locker room facilities, and individual and couple treatment rooms.

The Spa’s five signature treatments reflect wellness practices of the corresponding century. A new Spa Cuisine menu complements each signature treatment. The Spa also offers a brow bar and full service salon, as well as a regular menu of spa services.

While I was there, I took advantage of the spa with one of their sports massages after the golf courses beat me to within an inch of my life and wow what an experience.

Everything from the initial check-in to the post massage recovery area was amazing. I’ve never felt so pampered as I did during the spa treatment. The sports massage was a blend of your traditional massage treatment with some deep muscle stretches that can cure even the deepest of post-golf aches and pains.

Dining

Colonial Williamsburg offers guests an array of dining options, from the elegance of the Regency Room to the excitement of a tavern.

At the Williamsburg Inn: The formal Regency Room and less formal Terrace Room fuse regionally-inspired contemporary menus with seasonal ingredients. Chef de Cuisine Travis Brust regularly introduces special menus, while long-time classic favorites such as Dover Sole and Chateaubriand are available on weekends. The Regency Room boasts windows on three sides and a classic elegance, while the Terrace Room offers a more casual environment. The Restoration Bar and its adjacent terrace is the ideal location for an afternoon cocktail or after-dinner drink.

At the Williamsburg Lodge: The comfortable Lodge Restaurant infuses international flavor palettes with Southern favorites. Whether looking for an elegant prix-fixe menu with wine pairings for every course or a casual meal with the family, the Lodge Restaurant has something for everyone. Friday night’s Seafood Feast – a weekly must-see – boasts carving stations, sushi and prepared favorites, and the regular a la carte menu changes frequently. At lunch, full-serving fruit smoothies are a terrific add-on.

Huzzah! BBQ Grille: The latest addition to Colonial Williamsburg’s contemporary dining offerings, Huzzah! BBQ Grille offers barbecue favorites with an international flair. From smoked chicken and pulled BBQed pork sandwiches, to homemade baked beans and a carne asada salad, to short ribs and salmon, Huzzah! BBQ Grille has something for everyone.

Tavern Dining: Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Taverns give guests an opportunity to enjoy contemporary menus in an 18th century setting. With strolling musicians, storytellers, and characters of the past, tavern dining is entertaining for all. Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, Josiah Chowning’s Tavern, Kings Arms Tavern and John Shield’s Tavern all give guests a taste of what local cuisine would have been like during the 18th century. Taverns are open on a rotating schedule for lunch and dinner.

Christiana Campbell’s Tavern is by far my favorite restaurant in Colonial Williamsburg. We went there for dinner and it was literally a candlelight meal. Christiana gave a speech about how she came to possess the tavern and she put on quite a convincing act. There was a fiddler playing from table to table whilst we were there which was incredibly cool. They also have some really good beers there, that are locally brewed.

Whatever your vacation desires, family friendly Colonial Williamsburg offers a wide range of activities that will engage its visitors each day.   With its convenient location near Interstate 64 in Southeast Virginia, your an hour away from three major airports, making travel to and from Colonial Williamsburg pretty convenient.

This Saturday, April 21st, 2012 kicks off the Inaugural Peter Parker Shaw Golf classic out at Crescent Oaks Country Club in Tarpon Springs, FL. Below is a letter from the president of the foundation describing how the program came to life.

In May of 2010, we lost our dear friend, teammate, brother, father, and husband, Peter Parker Shaw to cancer. In true Pete Shaw fashion, he gave the fight of his life but in the end, there were bigger plans. Rugby and education played an immeasurable role in my father’s life. He had a true passion for both. My family and I have started the Peter Parker Shaw Scholarship, Inc. to carry on this passion. The mission of the foundation is to raise money for college rugby players who exemplify character, leadership, and scholarship.

The Peter Parker Shaw Scholarship Inc. will hold its first fundraising event in a couple months. The 1st Annual Golf Tournament to be held Saturday, April 21, 2012. The tournament will take place at the prestigious Crescent Oaks Golf Course in Tarpon Springs, Florida. We are proud to announce that money raised from this tournament will fund a scholarship for a deserving University of South Florida rugby player. This scholarship will provide the recipient with financial support
and will be distributed through the USF’s financial aid office. This scholarship will also be a part of a larger initiative to build the USF Rugby Team by providing scholarship monies to players in need.

We encourage you to register to play in the tournament. We have a great day planned and know it will be a fantastic way to honor a man that brought so many of us a good time. Indeed, there will be no shortage of fun—something Pete knew a little bit about. If you are unable to attend the actual event, we ask that you consider being a sponsor. You can sponsor the event in a number of ways:
1. Provide a monetary donation (see attached brochure for levels of sponsorship).
2. Provide team prizes.
3. Donate auction or raffle items.
4. Donate gift bag items or gift certificates.

All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Please call Amber Bayuk at (404) 933-3095 or e-mail at ppsrugby@gmail.com if you have any suggestions or questions.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to a successful and exciting year and golf tournament.
***A little background on the foundation’s logo that was the vision of Aaron Shaw (Pete’s son). My dad
was very proud of his Scottish heritage. Accordingly, the sword is taken from the Shaw family crest. The
photo in the center of the sword is actually a picture of Pete on the rugby field (letting some poor soul have
it!). We felt the combination of the two truly captured Pete’s strength, courage, and pride.
Sincerely,
Amber Bayuk

The tournament details are below:

When: Saturday, April 21, 2012

• 7:00AM Registration

• 9:00AM Shotgun Start

Where: Crescent Oaks Golf Course
3300 Crescent Oaks Blvd
Tarpon Springs, FL 34688

Max Entries: 72 Golfers
Format: 4 Person Scramble
Prizes Awarded:

• 1st Place Team
• Putting Contest
• Longest Drive
• Closest to the Pin
• Raffle Drawing

Cost: Price per golfer $75

Includes:

• Lunch
• Post Tournament Awards
• Prizes Galore
• Everyone leaves with a golfer’s bag with gifts, discounts and treats

To Signup, contact Amber Bayuk at (404) 933-3095 or e-mail at ppsrugby@gmail.com

2012 Masters  Prize Money List

Below are the top 25 finishes from the 2012 Masters and their earnings.

#1 Bubba Watson $1,440,000

Sterling Silver Replica Masters Trophy: Winner

Gold Medal: Winner

#2 Louis Oosthuizen $864,000

Silver Medal: Runner-up

Sterling Silver Salver: Runner-Up

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Double Eagle, Hole 2, Round 4

#3 Peter Hanson $384,000

Crystal Vase: Day’s Low Score, Third Round (65)

#3 Lee Westwood $384,000

Crystal Vase: Day’s Low Score, First Round (67)

#3 Matt Kucher $384,000

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 15, Round 4

#3 Phil Mickelson $384,000

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 13, Round 3

#7 Ian Poulter $268,000

#8 Adam Scott $232,000

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 8, Round 1

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 16, Round 4

#8 Justin Rose $232,000

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 15, Round 4

#8 Padraig Harrington $232,000

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 2, Round 1

#11 Jim Furyk $200,000

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 13, Round 3

#12 Kevin Na $156,800

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 13, Round 2

#12 Graeme McDowell $156,800

#12 Sergio Garcia $156,800

#12 Fred Couples $156,800

Crystal Vase: Day’s Low Score, Second Round (67)

#12 Hunter Mahan $156,800

#17 Bo Van Pelt $124,000

Crystal Vase: Day’s Low Score, Fourth Round (64)

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 13, Round 4

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 16, Round 4

#17 Ben Crane $124,000

#19 Geoff Ogilvy $96,960

#19 Charles Howell $96,960

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 15, Round 2

#19 Brandt Snedeker $96,960

#19 Fredrick Jacobson $96,960

#19 Franceso Molinari $96,960

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 15, Round 4

#19 Anders Hanson $96,960

#24 Jason Dufner $70,400

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 13, Round 4

#24 Paul Lawrie $70,400

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 13, Round 1

Pair of Crystal Goblets: Eagle, Hole 15, Round 1

Louis Oosthuizen may have thrown the biggest haymaker in the fight, but it was the feisty long ball hitter, Bubba Watson, who sustained the roar of the crowd when Oosthuizen made history with his double eagle on the second hole, to throw enough of his own punches that allowed him to prevail on the second playoff hole to capture the 2012 Masters Championship.

There was no easy victory walk this Sunday. It was apparent from the time Oosthuizen’s approach on #2 rolled into the cup that this Master’s would be determined on who could match the early brilliance of Oosthuizen by carding enough birdies to make a back nine run charge. On a front nine that saw the final pairing of Phil Mickelson and Peter Hanson falter, it was Bubba Watson who responded to Oosthuizen’s challenge by birdying 12 through 16 to bring him into a tie with Oosthuizen going into 17. Meanwhile, Oosthuizen, who may have suffered a slight hangover from the miracle shot on 2, gave two of his shots immediately back with bogeys on 3 and 4. Despite the stumble, Oosthuizen proved why he, as a nine year professional, had already captured one Major Championship, by righting the ship on the back nine with birdies on 13 and 15 to stay even with Watson.

Both players momentum came to a sudden halt on 17 as they both scrambled on 17 to make par and then missed their birdie putts on 18 to finish their rounds tied at 10 under. Meanwhile, as Watson and Oosthuizen signed their scorecards, Mickelson, who had battled back into contention on the back nine with birdies on 13 and 15, was unable to get any closer than two shots of the lead as finished at 8 under. If there were any nerves going into the first playoff hole they were difficult spot as both Oosthuizen and Watson hit two solid shots to give themselves very makeable birdie putts. However, despite their ability to make putts all week, Oosthuizen saw his 15 footer burn the edge and Watson, grossly misread his 9 foot birdie putt that saw him, for one of the few times all day, illustrate that the nerves may have started to get the best of him. As Watson briskly walked to the 10th it was not difficult to tell that the two missed opportunities on 18 were firmly in his mind.

As the game of golf can exploit nerves more than any other sport, it was not a surprise to see Bubba’s tee shot on 10 sail off to the right and into the pine straw. Seemingly in the driver seat at that point, Oosthuizen elected to play it safe by taking a 3 wood off the tee. His play failed to pay dividends as the South African also pushed his shot to the right leaving him with a long iron out of the first cut of rough for his approach. Oosthuizen was unable to find the green as his shot landed well short. From the initial look at his ball, it did not look like Watson had much of a shot at placing his approach anywhere near the green. However, just a few hours ago, in approximately the same position, Watson hit a miraculous shot that had accomplished just that feat. With the confidence of his prior execution, It did not take Watson long to seize the moment as he cut his iron around the large pine guarding his path and landed the ball softly on the green to within 15 feet giving him another makeable birdie putt to close out his victory.

Perhaps disheartened by Watson’s second brilliant shot on 10, Oosthuizen was finally out of answers as he was unable to get up and down and tapped in for a bogey five that gave Watson two putts to win it. There would be no knee bending 3 foot putt on this day, as Watson’s first putt crept to within inches of the hole to leave him nothing more than a tap in for the championship. As Watson dug the ball out of the cup for the 74th time the crowd who had been cheering him on all day began to chant “Bubba” in unison. For the first time all week, the stoic façade came crumbling down as Watson broke down into tears as he was embraced by his caddie, Ted Scott.

As the sun set in Augusta after a magnificent four days of golf that possessed a little piece of history each day, from Stenson’s quadruple bogey on 18 to Oosthuizen double eagle on 2, it was the moment on the 74th hole that served as the ultimate symbol that there is no better moment in all of golf than what a Sunday at the Masters provides.

Can’t wait to watch it all over again next year!

Moving day is upon us where the Masters separates the pretenders from the contenders. It is on Saturday that the field narrows to a select few and the attention of the golf world closes its focus to those remaining players who have survived three rounds at Augusta National to grant themselves eighteen more holes for a spot in history.

On a day that saw many of the crowd favorites, stumble back down to earth, it was Swede Peter Hanson, who shocked the Augusta crowd with his blistering 7 under 65 that has earned him the honor of playing in the final group on Sunday with a one stroke advantage. After Hanson’s bogey on number one, his control was never in doubt as he went on to birdie eight of his last 17 holes including a birdie on the difficult eighteenth to close with a third day round that few have ever witnessed.

It is difficult to say with any degree of truth that Hanson was on anyone’s radar to win this year’s Masters prior to today. However, one of the many beauties of Augusta is that it can allow a player such as Hanson, to stick around par for two rounds and then catch fire to vault to the top of the leader board.

With Hanson’s limited experience playing in the final group on Sunday, the question now becomes whether he, with only 5 top five finishes and zero PGA tour victories, can sustain the intense pressure to finish with the most solid 18 holes of his life. What puts Hanson’s ability to finish in further question is the fact that despite his superb round, there is another player that equaled his play and, to the tune of three green jackets, already has a proven track record of Master Sunday greatness.

Phil Mickelson’s front nine gave no indication of what he had in store. However, if there is ever a player who is able to seize the fullest amount of momentum based on one hole, it is Phil. There was never a better showing of this ability than the round changing eagle that he had on the 13th. Whole heartedly acknowledging that his pushed tee shot received a fortuitous bounce, Phil capitalized fully by striking an iron to within 25 feet and then snaking in the putt to the roar of the crowd. Judging by the emphatic fist pump that ensued, it was this moment where Phil grasped momentum with two hands and stated that the game was officially on.

Although many will believe that the champion will evolve out of the Mickelson/Hanson final pairing, there are several others who were able to stay in contention despite the astonishing rounds that were posted by these two golfers. Ice water in the veins Louis Oosthouzen, who seems to have staked a solid spot on the bottom of the first page of the leader board for a majority of the week made further progress today by posting his third subpar round to finish at -7. Bubba Watson has also slipped into the equation with his two under 70 that puts him only 3 back.

The Dream Final Pairing is Gone

Whether golf fans were hoping for an age versus beauty or power versus power final round, their dreams will have to be placed on hold for another year. Woods, after his tirade on 17 yesterday was as good as gone. However, if there were any apologists who held out hope that he could still make a charge today, those hopes were dashed when Woods closed out with an uninspiring nine pars on the back nine to card a 72.

McIlroy once again showed that he was not ready for the Master’s spot light as he reverted to last year’s form by shooting a 6 over par 78 that is sure to place further questions into his head of whether Augusta National is a course that suits his game. Last but not least, the dream of Fred Couples kicking aside the aging mystique has been squashed. Fred was able to stay in red figures however, his two over 74, showed just how difficult this course can be for players who do not have the same consistency they once did.

It is time to put the questions to bed as now only 18 holes sits between the long debated questions and the eventual answer. Can relatively unknown Peter Hanson, bottle some of today’s magic into a final round that will spell his first victory on the PGA tour? Will long ball hitter Bubba Watson or Louis Oosthuizen capitalize on the par 5s and survive the difficult and narrow par fours to claim their first major title? Or will Mickelson, with his gregarious personality and charming smile, endear himself to the Master’s crowd once again and stake his claim to being golf’s greatest? Only tomorrow will tell the tale, a tale I cannot wait to witness.

If you ask this golf blogger, Phil Mickelson will be walking off the 18th, on his way to yet another green jacket. Also, I don’t think Tiger is done yet, I think we’ll also see another top six finish for Tiger Woods.

On a sunny Friday afternoon, with swirling Georgia winds pushing through the pines, it appeared that Augusta National was on its way to pushing back against the abundance of low scores as the leaders began to give shots back in round two. However, as leaders such as Lee Westwood, with his double bogey 6 on 18 faltered, an old familiar face arose to stake his claim at capturing his second Master’s title.

At the beginning of the week there was not much talk surrounding veteran Fred Couples’ chance at capturing the 2012 Masters. However, as Couples marched through the front nine, birdying seven, eight and nine on his way to a front nine 33, the crowds began to take notice and the gallery following Couples began to grow.
Not to disappoint them, Couples continued his solid play on the back carding a bogey free 34 placing him in a tie for first with Jason Dufner, who posted his second sub par round of the week with his two under 70.

The big question for Couples is whether his 52 years will be a benefit or detriment as he prepares to try and repel some of the top young stars who all posted solid Friday rounds to get back into contention.

History is not on Couples side as the oldest player to ever capture a Masters was Jack Nicklaus at age 46 in 1986. Despite the mounting reasons not to bet on Couples over the weekend one cannot help but think that Couples silky smooth swing and hot putter, which was in full form on Friday, could allow Couples to stick around through Sunday evening.

Who is the Biggest Challenger to Couples?

As anticipated, several of the top names in golf posted impressive rounds to get themselves back into the mix for the weekend. Of them, there is not one who commands more attention than the world’s number two ranked golfer, Rory McIlroy. With his three under 69, McIlroy sits just two shots back of Couples at minus four and must be a favorite for many golf enthusiasts going into the weekend.

Despite McIlroy’s insurgence to the top, there are several other players who may also challenge this weekend. Sergio Garcia played a brilliant front nine and held off some erratic shots on the back to post a four under 68 to get him to within two. However, despite all of the solid play, as Sergio is known to do, the bogey on 18 may stick with him a lot longer than he will admit, which could spell doom for the Spaniard over the weekend.

Phil Mickelson shook off early bogeys that saw his total balloon to as much as two over on the front nine. Mickelson was able to shrug off the slow start and birdie 17 and 18 to get back to red figures at minus 2, a feat that is sure to give him renewed confidence.
All of these players are sure to be in the mix come Sunday, and if we get a final round with one of these players and Couples, the interest in the Masters is sure to explode.

Eating My Own Words

Just 24 hours ago I sat here and wrote that there was no way that Henrik Stenson was going to be able to recover from his quadruple bogey eight on 18 to be in contention. In fact, if I was a betting man, I would have assumed that Stenson had a better chance of missing the cut then he did of making a renewed charge. However, as is the case with many professionals, Stenson’s ability to bounce back and silence his critics with his one under par 71 that places him in a tie for 12th position.

The Charge That Never Came….Again

As has been the case recently, Tiger once again prepared for a charge that never came. Birdying two of the first three holes to get back to two under; it looked like Woods could possibly climb up the leader board. Woods erratic tee play and inability to make medium range putts spelled his doom as he went on to play the next 16 holes at five over, placing him for all intensive purposes, out of contention.

Despite all of the moves made by the young stars and the old veterans, Augusta once again taught us that the course rewards consistency, not flash. As players like Couples who have made a career off of staying in the fairway and hitting greens in regulation, many of the long ball hitters such as Woods and Bubba Watson have been unable to capitalize on their length due to their inability to consistently play from the short grass.

Coming down the stretch it appears that the players who will reach the top will not be those with an exceptionally impressive tee game, but instead, the ability to play precision irons to sports on the green that pose the least amount of danger. As was shown by approaches such as Mickelson’s on 11, Augusta National is just waiting for a player to take for granted their club choice or the wind direction. If they do Augusta will spit players shots back at them with a vengeance.

Only the weekend now stands in between the contenders and their ultimate prize that, old or young, represents the most prestigious in all of golf.

As the old saying goes you cannot win the Masters on the first round, but you certainly can lose it. Through 17 holes it certainly looked like Henrik Stetson was well on his way to posting an impressive 1st round that would transform him from a mere contender to an outright favorite. However, the cruelty of golf and the always challenging Augusta National got the last laugh, when Stenson closed out his first round with a quadruple bogey eight on 18 to finish with a one under par 71. Although Stetson currently sits only four shots back, one must wonder if he has the resolve to rebound from such a disastrous finish.

Is there an Heir Apparent to Bobby Jones?

While Stentson was finishing out in amateur form, two of this year’s amateur qualifiers posted impressive first round scores. Hideki Matsuyama, two time Asian amateur champion and the only amateur to make last year’s cut, played consistent throughout his day posting three birdies and two bogeys. With Matsuyama’s first round success that follows last year’s impressive four day one under score of 287, Matsuyama has transformed himself from a Cinderella story to an outright contender for this year’s title.

Meanwhile, United States Amateur runner up and top ranked United State’s amateur, Patrick Cantalay played in similar fashion posting a one under 71 to match Matsuyama. Cantalay is best known for posting a second round ten under 60 at the Traveler’s Championship, the lowest round ever posted by an Amateur. Although it is unlikely that either of these Amateurs will be in the mix come Sunday, one can only hope that these two golfers can revive the spirit of Bobby Jones’ by shocking the golf world through their capturing this year’s Masters’ Championship.

The Favorites Hang On

Despite fighting an erratic driver all day, Tiger Woods birdie on 10 that put him at 2 under appeared to kick start his round that would allow him to make his signature back nine charge. However, Tiger failed to capitalize on the two par fives and his driver finally caught up to him on 17 and 18 where he posted back to back bogeys to end his day with an even par 72. At the start of the day it appeared that McIlroy was still suffering from last year’s final round 80 when he double bogeyed the first hole. However, as has been the case with McIlroy throughout his career his resilience paid off as he was able to fight back to even par through 17 and then close out his round with an impressive birdie on the difficult 18th to post a one under 71.

Is It Finally Westwood’s Week?

Beyond all of the scores that were posted and the one score that could have been, it was Lee Westwood who once again showed his ability to post a solid opening round at the Masters. Westwood’s seven birdie two bogey 67 gave him a one stroke lead over Louis Ossthuizen going into Friday. It is apparent that Westwood is on top of his game early on as he posted three successive birdies on 6, 7 and 8 to open with a front nine 32. Despite his solid play on the back, Westwood missed several makeable birdie putts down the stretch that could have expanded his lead. Although Westwood’s round was impressive, the missed birdie opportunities on the back nine may very well come back to haunt him if he is challenged down the stretch on Sunday.

What the Masters taught us on day one is that the course is receptive to players posting low scores. Despite Westwood’s impressive 67, there are 27 players within four strokes including Westwood’s playing partners Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk who shot matching two under 70s. There are also another 16 players who sit at even par just five strokes back, including Woods and long time Master’s contender, Fred Couples.

With the current soft greens and light winds it is likely that Augusta National will yield scores lower than Westwood’s 67 in the coming days. Instead of battling to stay around par as many Masters have allowed, it appears that this year’s winner could be decided on a player’s ability to post successive sub par rounds. With the low scores in mind, it is hard to ignore the fact that despite their erratic ball striking, Woods and McIlroy sit well within sight of Westwood. If either of these players are able to shake off the first round and make a charge early in their second round, it is safe to assume that the golf world and the leaders will begin to take notice. As a result,  we may yet be rewarded with the Woods/McIlroy show down that so many have hoped for.

Who’s your pick for the 2012 Masters Green Jacket?

As we gear up for the 2012 Masters, most media (myself included) is discussing the future and who is going to walk away with this years green jacket. I thought it would be a great exercise to take some time to look in the past as well to see where the seeds the world’s greatest golf tournament were planted.

The history of Augusta National, which is home to the world’s most prestigious golf event is covered in history at every turn. Although the Masters has developed into a global event, the history of this unique golf course is filled with American tales that are a standard of our country and the individuals who have lived out its story.

In 1857 Baron Louis Matheir bought the Augusta National land with his son Prosper Julius Alphonse to run an exotic plant nursery. Through their purchase the father-son combination imported a wide array of trees and plants to fill the land with a look that was unique from the Georgia pines that had long dominated the landscape. After Mathier passed away in 1910 the land remained dormant for nearly 20 years.

In 1930, fresh off his retirement after winning the only single year grand slam in golf, Bobby Jones who was looking for property to build his dream golf course knew that Mathier’s property was where it should be built. As the foundation was already set for an exotic course filled with unique plant and tree life, Jones enlisted the help of Prosper’s son, Louis. At the age of 74 Louis walked the course while it was under construction to design a unique landscape. As is evinced by the many dogwoods, Azaela’s and other unique plant life, Louis’ footprint at Augusta continues to be seen to this day.

In 1933 the course was completed and Jones began sending invitations to some of the country’s best golfers to compete in the first Augusta National Invitational that was held in 1934. This event was won in thrilling fashion by Horton Smith, who birdied 17 and 18 to finish one stroke ahead of Craig Wood. The following year, the Augusta National Invitational was placed on the world wide golf map when a single shot propelled the event into the spotlight.

Trailing clubhouse leader Craig Wood by three strokes heading to the 15th, Gene Sarazen took a substantial risk by trying to hit the par five green in two. Using a four wood, Sarazen’s shot barely cleared the creek guarding the front of the green and his ball rolled up the slope and into the cup for an astonishing double eagle. He would go on to par the final three holes and would later beat Wood in a 36 hole playoff. Due to the roar of the crowd that ensued, Sarazen’s shot became known as “the shot heard round the world” and stand to this day as the most famous shot in all of Master’s history.

Influenced by Sarazen’s thrilling victory and the growing popularity of the event, in 1930 the Augusta National Invitational was renamed to The Masters. The transformation in name was an attempt to capture the increasingly talented field that made up the event each year. Although the most humble Bobby Jones was skeptical of the name change, it has become a proper fit in symbolizing the event that now represents the most prestigious in all of golf.

As the tournament continued to grow, and the course’s popularity became widely known, even the trees have become rife with historical significance. Of all of the members of Augusta National, the most famous was President Dwight Eisenhower who at the urging of then Master’s chairman, Clifford Roberts, joined the club in the early 1950s. Not known for his golfing prowess, Eisenhower was known to stray from the fairway on more than one occasion. No more was this prevalent than on the 17th hole where his ball would often strike a large loblolly pine that covered the left side of the fairway.

At a 1956 club meeting Eisenhower voice his displeasure with the menacing tree by petitioning the Augusta National board to cut the tree down. Roberts denied Eisenhower’s petition and since that time the tree has been aptly named “Ike’s Tree.” Beyond the influence of the historical individuals who have walked Augusta’s grounds come symbols that represent the holes themselves. Of the many names constructed, none could be more telling of the history then the most dreaded three holes of them all that make up Amen Corner.

Amen Corner received its name after Arnold Palmer who, amid a rules controversy, played two balls on number 12. Palmer would later go on to eagle number 13 on his way to capturing his first Master’s by a stroke over Doug Ford and Fred Hawkins.

Influenced by the fortuitous bounce Palmer received and his love of Jazz, Sports Illustrated golf writer, Hebert Warren Wind named the three holes that defined the 1958 Master’s after the song “Shoutin` in That Amen Corner”.

As further bolstered by Larry Mize’s chip in 1987 to beat Greg Norman in a playoff and the many struggles professional golfers have had in navigating these three holes, the name has stuck around. The 18 holes that make up Augusta National are filled with historical significance that could never be fully captured except by walking the many monuments themselves. From Hogan’s bridge, to Rae’s Creek to everything else in between the Masters not only defines a rich piece of American history, but also grants each participant an opportunity to become part of the greatness that was created when one great man’s dream evolved into reality.

As the wave of young players continues to increase their influence on the 2012 Masters invitation committee, an increasing number of older golfers are being left outside of the field of approximately 90 that make up the Masters Golf Tournament each year. Although there may be many reasons to exclude these players, one cannot help but wonder if the potential for an inspirational story line that defies the law of aging will become less available each year due to our aging greats being increasingly pushed outside the ropes.

Many of us can remember when Jack Nicolas, at the age of 58 made his final charge in the 1998 Masters, where he birdied three of the first six holes to pull within 2 strokes of the lead on the front nine. Although his final round 68 was not enough to catch Mark O’Meara (who can forget his 20 foot putt on 18 to win it), as evinced by the roar of the massive crowd that followed him all day, Nicolas taught us that golf unlike any other sport, has the ability to give our long time greats one last chance at Major Championship immortality.

It is with a heavy heart that two long time Masters participants, who have made the climb up the leader board many times, only to fall one break short, may not be lacing up their golf shoes for this year’s Masters.

Davis Love III

It is amazing to think that Love, who has experienced the first page of the leader board on many occasions, will be absent this year. Love is best known for his 1997 PGA Championship where, just weeks after his father’s death, he sunk a fifteen foot putt on 18 with a magnificent rainbow in the background to capture his first and only major.

From the looks of his silky smooth swing and his 450 week stay in the top 10 of the World Golf Rankings, many believed that Love’s game was catered for success at Augusta National.

However, despite his six top ten finishes that included 2 heartbreaking runner up finishes in 1995 and 1999, the Masters has always been able to slip through Davis’ deserving fingertips. In recent years, Love’s biggest challenge has not been his swing. Instead Love has had to endure a series of injuries that are a result of his 27 years on the tour.

Despite his ailing condition there still existed some hope leading up to this week’s Shell Houston Open that Love would be able to mount one final charge. However, as has been increasingly the case, the injury he sustained at Bay Hill carried over and he was forced to withdraw from the Shell that eliminated any chance he had at sneaking into next week’s field.

Ernie Els

Ernie Els’ chances of making this year’s Masters hinge on his posting a victory at the Shell Houston Open this week (which at the time of this article he was tied for 47th, six shots behind leader, Carl Petersen). Only a victory would catapult Els into the World’s top 50 and thus grant him a tee time at Augusta on Thursday.

Although Els has failed to capture the Masters in the 17 straight years he has competed in the event, his track record is far from unimpressive. From 2000 through 2004 Els placed in the top 6, which included two top runner up finishes. Although Els was unable to capitalize fully on his many Sunday runs, the consistency in Els’ game has long defined just how special of a player he is.

Although Masters’ special invitations are rarely given to players outside the qualifying criteria if there is anyone in the game of golf who has ever earned an invitation, it is Els. Realizing how tenuous his situation is, Els has attempted to play himself into the field by competing in eight tournaments in the last two months. Els was several close putts down the stretch of the Transitions Championship, including a four footer on number 18 from playing himself into the Master’s field.

However, what is ultimately more important than Els’ play and is more a reason why the Master’s committee should grant him a reprieve, is the manner in which Els has carried himself throughout his career. By his manner on the course and his charitable work off the course Els has long symbolized the true gentlemen. In a sport that is based on the ideals of honor and tradition, it would be a hard case to make that Els does not represent the ultimate symbol of both.

In an era of golf that has been dominated by youthful stars, it is important that we step back and appreciate some of the players who have brought the game to its current status. There is no better way to acknowledge our appreciation than to give our aging stars one last chance at proving that age really is just a number.