| Recently an editor spoke to me about | | | | Butler cabin? I heard none of the above. |
| doing an article dealing with the | | | | It seems like winning a British Open or |
| ultimate golf fantasy. I thought it made | | | | US Open pales in comparison to a simple |
| sense to speak with some friends to see | | | | round of golf at Augusta. I am sure |
| what kinds of dreams they had and what | | | | people think this way because it is a |
| their idea of the ultimate golf fantasy | | | | more realistic dream. > |
| might be. | | | | Perhaps you have had visions, as I have, |
| Early feedback was pretty overwhelming | | | | of hoisting that big cardboard check |
| and it was kind of surprising. Almost to | | | | over your head. You know the check; it |
| a person it had to do with playing a | | | | has a one with six zeroes behind it. How |
| particular course in the southeastern | | | | many of us have dreamed of a final round |
| part of this country (wonder where that | | | | like David Duval had at the Bob Hope |
| is huh). Handicap and occupation had | | | | where he shot a 59? For most players, 59 |
| little to do with the response and the | | | | is a good 12 hole total. Hey, forget the |
| desire to play a certain "goat track" in | | | | US Open, how about Annika's trip around |
| Georgia. | | | | Colonial several years ago? It was big |
| Chris Obert is a scratch player and head | | | | news around the world and left a lot of |
| golf professional of Millwood Golf and | | | | us wishing we could walk in her shoes. |
| Racquet Club in Springfield. Chris had | | | | I will probably never play a PGA tour |
| the same response as did American | | | | event at Colonial. But I can sure dream |
| Airlines manager and 30-handicapper Mike | | | | about it as I stroll around my home |
| Fink. Now, I realize my previous comment | | | | course. Standing over the putt that |
| alone probably made some peoples skin | | | | could win the Ryder Cup! |
| crawl. Of course I am writing about | | | | It is funny how age and our declining |
| Augusta National, and of course I am | | | | athletic ability rob us of fantasies |
| obviously kidding when I say "goat | | | | relating to other sports. I know I will |
| track". It is probably the most desired | | | | never dive into the hole, jump up, and |
| course to play in the world. | | | | throw out that runner going to first. I |
| My early polling proved that to be true. | | | | will never dunk again, let alone make it |
| Augusta National, these two words send | | | | up the court and back without an oxygen |
| shivers down the spine of true golf | | | | tank strapped to my back. I must admit |
| enthusiasts. It seems not even the | | | | that my 50 extra pounds would make me a |
| glorious ocean views of Pebble Beach can | | | | heck of a line-backer. At least until |
| compete with Magnolia Lane. I was | | | | that 225 pound running back left his |
| surprised to hear talk of just a simple | | | | foot print on my sagging chest. Golf |
| round of golf at Augusta. There was not | | | | allows us to keep our dreams and to |
| even a mention of putting on the green | | | | excel well into our golden years. Hale |
| jacket. It seemed that dream was too far | | | | Irwin at 60+ would still make a pretty |
| out there to even fantasize about. Hey, | | | | good partner for most of us. |
| how about playing in the annual event? | | | | We will look at more ultimate golf |
| How about playing in the final group on | | | | fantasy in the next article. Where would |
| Sunday? How about taking a group of | | | | you go and what would you do? |
| friends and staying for a week in the | | | | |