The Masters, which starts today in Augusta, Ga., is the highlight of the televised golf season for the millions who get their “green jacket” fix in front of their televisions.

That’s as close as they’ll likely get to golf’s

 

 

 

 

 

first major of the season. For years, a ticket to the Masters has been the most sought after in all of sports. Few have attended the tournament from Maine and fewer still have played the course.

John Walker of Portland is one of the fortunate few who has played Augusta National. He played the course twice with the late Garrie Murray in October 1987. Outsiders have to be accompanied by a member when playing the course. Walker said he and Murray played with the late Jerry Achenbach, a member of the course.

“Understated elegance” is how Walker, 62, described the course and its surroundings. Walker has never been to the Masters. His memorable two days there remain his only time at the famed layout.

“Garrie Murray and I always said that if we ever got a chance to play Augusta National we would drop whatever we’re doing and head down,” said Walker.

They got their chance through Murray’s friendship with former University of Maine president Dale Lick, who when he worked at Georgia Southern University became friends with Masters’ hierarchy.

“Garrie was a big supporter of Maine athletics and helped in fundraising,” said Walker, who at the time owned Rich Aluminum, a home improvement company.

“He worked for Webber Oil and Larry Mahaney. Garrie mentioned to Lick that if it was at all possible, he would like to play the course someday. I had done some pro bono work installing windows at Mahaney Diamond. Garrie called me one day and said “Are you ready”?

“We got there early so we had to wait for security to escort us to the clubhouse. We kept trying to get glimpses of the course while we waited. They couldn’t have been nicer in our two days there,” said Walker.

For golfers in the Northeast, the Masters represents the start of the season.

“It’s the emergence of spring. You’re cooped up all winter,” said Walker.

Walker moved to Bluffton, S.C., a few years ago in retirement, but recently returned to Portland to purchase his former company.

“The biggest thing that struck me about the course is the changes in elevation,” he said.

“The downhill 10th really drops and the uphill 18th is a big incline. You really lose those elevation changes on TV,” he said.

Walker and Murray had lunch, warmed up on the range and then played 18 with Achenbach and Dale Lick’s son. Walker and Murray played the course again the next day,

“It’s the gentlemanly South,” said Walker of the Masters. “The television announcers talk in reverent tones. The broadcast sets the bar for all the other television golf broadcasts.”

The Masters is tradition, beautiful scenery and exciting golf action where fortunes often change with one shot. The winner receives the green jacket.

“Of all the tournaments in the course of the year, the Masters is my favorite,” said Scott Mayer, the teaching pro at Nonesuch River GC in Scarborough.

“The course layout makes for an exciting tournament coming down the home stretch. There’s a lot of opportunity for the players to showcase their talents, but there’s also room for them to meet their demise,” he said.

 

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH