Poll: Augusta National's 17th Now That Ike's Tree Is Gone
/The world tributes are pouring in for Augusta National's Eisenhower Tree, victim of last week's ice storms. Jack Nicklaus issued a statement, published by the AP and Doug Ferguson, that sounds like a close friend had been lost.
From Nicklaus:
"The Eisenhower Tree is such an iconic fixture and symbol of tradition at Augusta National," said Jack Nicklaus, a six-time Masters winner and Augusta National member. "It was such an integral part of the game and one that will be sorely missed.
"Over the years, it's come into play many, many times on the 17th hole. When I stood on the 17th tee, my first thought, always, was to stay away from Ike's Tree. Period. ... I hit it so many times over the years that I don't care to comment on the names I called myself and the names I might have called the tree. Ike's Tree was a kind choice. But looking back, Ike's Tree will be greatly missed."
Alex Miceli talked to players at Riviera and the views varied. He includes this from Nick Faldo, who seemed less sure about the impact Ike's Tree had on Masters contestants.
“I think for the modern golfer in good weather, (the Eisenhower tree didn’t matter) because they're more concerned with on top of the hill, they're more concerned with putting it onto the seventh green or blocking it into those huge pines down the right,” three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo said. “It's only if we get that cold one that Mike Weir won or the wet ones moons ago, then it was in play.”
The tree's impact on past Masters had me grasping on Morning Drive Monday, and John Boyette could really only come up with two moments when the tree had a profound impact on the Masters. And if anyone knows Augusta National history, it's Boyette.
Gary Player issued this definitive statement about what should be done. Via Twitter and in response to Scott Michaux.
@ScottMichaux @The_Masters Purchase the biggest replacement known to mankind & replace it. The hole not the same without Ike's Tree.
— Gary Player (@garyplayer) February 17, 2014
Michaux files an Augusta Chronicle column considering the history of Ike's Tree, and mentions this:
Sources have claimed for years that Augusta National already has a reserve loblolly pine picked out and awaiting the call at an undisclosed location in Georgia. But whether the backup tree survived the ice storm intact is unknown, as are the club’s plans for the 17th hole.
And one last bit before the poll question, my Morning Drive chat with Gary Williams about the tree:
And with that, a very simple question: Should the club replace the tree?
If there is one club on the planet who can afford to move a large tree and attempt to keep it alive in a new spot, it's Augusta National. We should know in a few days if it's even possible to do so prior to the 2014 Masters, but for the purposes of this poll, I just want to hear your vote regardless of timing issues.
Cast your vote!
