Masters: The Honorary Starters Have Spoken

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The next best thing to being there is the Augusta Chronicle's extensive photo gallery of Andrew Davis images from today's never-ever-gets-old commencement of The Masters.

Jay Coffin on how the ritual never gets old. And with the club letting the patrons in earlier this year and perfect introductions from Billy Payne, a huge crowd got to enjoy the moment.

Report: 2013 Mercedes Benz GWAA Dinner Presented By Aberdeen Asset Management, USGA & PGA Of America

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The Golf Writers Association Of America held its 44th annual Mercedes Benz Awards dinner and a good time was had by a few. Evening highlights included host Tim Rosaforte’s opening dance number set to award winning ledes from 2013. Later, writer Alan Shipnuck taking time away from his studies abroad to give a heartfelt take on role Twitter-censoring plays at PGA Tour stops. And it was all capped off by PGA of America lifetime achievement award winner John Hopkins revealing the scourge of journalism today: bloggers who refuse confirm with multiple high-ranking sources what the conventional wisdom says before repeating the conventional wisdom in one's reporting.

With award winners accepting their plaques to the soundtrack outtakes from the Beverly Hills Cop 3, a crowd of 200 journalists, dignitaries and select active players recalled past Mercedes Benz Award dinners. Many regaled others with former Aberdeen Asset Management winners, clutched complimentary Scotch courtesy of the financial services sponsor, and even walked a green carpet into the dinner only marred by one fainter who passed out upon learning that Jason Sobel would not be accepting his prize in the Daily Columns division.

The reigning “Players of the year” Rory McIlroy, Stacy Lewis and Roger Chapman all appeared and spoke eloquently. McIlroy brought gal pal Caroline Wozniacki and almost made it to USGA Executive Director David Fay's speech, staying around longer than Tiger Woods ever has, prompting several knowing writers to check with one-another before re-affirming their belief that Woods is still a point-miser while their Rory is the future's great hope. But it was Hopkins’s resounding speech on the horror that is the modern blogosphere which culminated the marathon evening. A former Times writer, Hopkins thanked his "hero" Jim Nugent at Global Golf Post while lamenting the lost art of checking with as many as ten people to best understand what one should be thinking.

Bloggers, who file their views without confirming with others what opinions they should and should not hold most dearly, are threatening the art of journalistic conformity, explained Hopkins as the audience scrolled their Twitter feeds and deleted junk emails. So powerful was Hopkins’s message that I even contemplated making a few notes and checking with others to figure out what to think about his lecture. Then I recalled my role as a blogger, abstaining from taking notes and rattling off my impressions without regard for the opinions of the aristocracy. A most powerful message, indeed.

DVR Alert: Nantz Remembers Crenshaw At The Masters

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Glad I set the DVR before I left since the Nantz Remembers have never been anything but excellent and this one figures to be special.

For Immediate Release:

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR FEATURES
“JIM NANTZ REMEMBERS AUGUSTA: BEN CRENSHAW AT THE MASTERS®”
ON SUNDAY, APRIL 14
 
CBS Sports broadcasts a CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR special JIM NANTZ REMEMBERS

AUGUSTA: BEN CRENSHAW AT THE MASTERS® on Sunday, April 14 (1:00-2:00 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network.   Jim Nantz, this year covering his 28th Masters for CBS Sports, and 26th as host, looks back at the career of one of the tournament’s most revered champions, Ben Crenshaw. 
 
From his debut in 1973 when he finished as low amateur, his first green jacket in 1984, and his emotional triumph in 1995, Crenshaw's journey has been a remarkable ride.  It all began in Austin, Texas where he learned the game from one of its greatest teachers, Harvey Penick.  The bond that developed between the two men was a love that carried beyond the golf course, and in one magical week in 1995 they showed the world what love could do.
 
“Ben Crenshaw embodies the history of golf and this tournament,” said Nantz.  “He learned the game from one of its greatest teachers.  His emotional Masters win in 1995 became the ultimate tribute to his mentor who had passed away earlier that week.” 
 
The one-hour special includes a conversation with Crenshaw as he joins Nantz in looking back at his memorable moments and glorious triumphs at Augusta.
 
JIM NANTZ REMEMBERS AUGUSTA: BEN CRENSHAW AT THE MASTERS is produced and directed by Chris Svendsen.  The Executive Producer is Jim Nantz.

Chairman Payne's Announcements: Cut Change, PGA Tour Winners

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Ryan Herrington has the details on the main annoucements Wednesday from Masters Chairman Blly Payne, namely an increase in the number of players making it to the weekend (44 and ties to 50 and ties), exemptions for PGA Tour winners of fall events and modifying of other exemptions from the U.S. Open and PGA Tour money list.

Chairman Payne: "We hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules."

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The press room consensus felt Masters Chairman Billy Payne's Wednesday comments on the proposed anchoring ban sealed the deal for the governing bodies. I did not read them that way and a few of my colleagues were equally hung up on the words "common ground."

Golf Channel's Randall Mell summarizes the anchoring portion of the proceedings here.

The questions and comments, starting with Scott Michaux's question:

Q.  Mr. Chairman, there was a long comment period from the USGA and the R&A about the anchored putting situation that didn't include this press conference in that time period, but everybody else, all of the other governing bodies and associations have sort of expressed their opinions.  What is the Club's opinion on the anchored putting?

CHAIRMAN PAYNE:  First, Scott, we are not a governing body.  We are a golf club that puts on a tournament, so we wouldn't be presumptuous to say that we have that kind of influence.

Given the fact that the ruling bodies have not yet declared a decision following that open comment period, I do think it would be inappropriate for us to express an opinion; other than to say, other than to say, that we hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules.

And my attempt at a follow up:

Q.  Mr. Chairman, you said it would be inappropriate to comment on the anchoring, the proposed anchoring ban.  Does that mean that you endorse the USGA and R&A Rules of Golf so that if they were to go forward with the ban, you would support?

CHAIRMAN PAYNE:  That means, sir, what I said, and that is that we hope and believe that common ground will be achieved so that only one set of rules governs the game of golf.

Common ground, for me, translates as a compromise somewhere between the current USGA and R&A position of a 2016 ban on anchoring, and the PGA Tour/PGA of America position that this ban is bad for the game.

A longer grandfathering-in period beyond 2016? A shorter period until 14-b becomes the rule? A local rule option?

I will also note that the only tension during the entire press conference came when this topic was brought up. Clearly, this has caused consternation for the Chairman, who knew this would be asked because the club had deferred comment until this week. So the answer surprises me if nothing else for the lack of a position after every major golf organization took a stance on the proposed band. So what exactly bothers the chairman, who was in an otherwise excellent mood, remains a mystery.

Masters Tuesday This And That...Mostly That

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Not much to report from the golf course from Monday to Tuesday, but I did offer some thoughts in this Golf World Daily item about who it might favor. Hint: stick with your long hitter instincts.

A few photos from yesterday as we prepare here for Chairman Payne's press conference at 11 a.m. ET.

One Stop Shop For Masters Predictions

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The golf world has been a bit slow to adopt the handicapping game and fantasy league world, so as usual, Masters pool picking advice has been hard to come by. Wednesday figures to see an onslaught of advice, so I'll post follow-ups from various publications.

For the cynical predictions of the week, Gary Van Sickle does his thing quite well here.

* Who will be the first to mention Grand Slam if (or when) Tiger Woods wins? Oh. Me, I guess, since I just did. Tiger will field a Grand Slam question in the winner's press conference, if he's there - that's an iron-clad guarantee.

Alex Miceli posts the latest Masters odds for those wondering what the professionals think.

At GolfDigest.com, four of us held a mock draft and fittingly, Tiger went first, Phil went second and most of the world top 10 were taken. Still, I think everyone makes strong cases for their selections beyond the obvious reasons.

For value seekers, Sean Martin's sleeper picks include synopses and justification for picking the players.