All of the golf fans are tuned in for the first major. I don’t know about you, but I find myself completely glued to the television the second weekend in April. Instead of fishing or mowing the lawn, I will lock myself in the addition with a loaf of bread and a two-liter bottle of Coca-Cola. It’s a “tradition unlike any other.”
I WANT TO GET ONE OF MY GUITARS. Tell Dad to let you in. I’VE TRIED. I AM BANGING ON THE DOOR. IT’S LOCKED. HE WON’T ANSWER HIS PHONE.
I have never been to Augusta National. Many of my friends say the HD television cameras don’t do her any justice. What? The rolling hills and magnificent Magnolias are pretty sharp on this new 65-inch Panasonic. Relax. It was GG’s purchase. The layout is superb, and the course itself is absolutely flawless. Every blade of grass is simply perfect. Everything is stunning. Just majestic. I will even go outside to hit some flop shots in the morning.
MOM. DAD JUST BLADED A WEDGE INTO PAULA’S GARDEN. On purpose? NO. BUT I THINK HE SHOULD COME INSIDE. HE JUST DID IT AGAIN.
Yes. The views are splendid, and the golf is just as brilliant. The Masters bring out the very best in the world’s top players. Tons of history. Augusta is like no other. Beautiful. Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player got things moving. Tiger was again the topic of conversation. Poor guy. I won’t get into the details. Day one didn’t disappoint. The leaderboard is stacked with the top guns. Rory got off to a blazing start—a few others like Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, and Gary Woodland played well. I can’t wait.
OK. Here is the scoop. The 2026 Masters will have been played by the time we go to print. My editor needs her stuff by Friday. Happy Birthday, Steph. I usually pipe on down the fairway and my deadline. Then there are times I completely whiff. Last week doesn’t count. I had the front page. So, predicting a champion is rather tough. But I can almost guarantee it will be one of the eighty-nine golfers who tee it up. My lovely bride’s money is on Ludvig Aberg. He is a stud. If you don’t know what he looks like, gals- look him up. I was cheering for Freddie. He was on fire early.
The Lycoming Warriors and I watched the first 18 with our phones and the late-night recaps. We were playing in a tournament in Shamokin Dam. The boys enjoyed the weather, and Lycoming had two teams in the field. Yes. Ten players. A record. Some golfed well. Others struggled. No worries. It was just like the Masters. Props to freshman Tre Lesperance, who finished third with a 76. Impressive. I also want to give some love to junior Jay Huber. Jay had his very first hole-in-one on Wednesday. Jay used an 8 iron on the uphill 158-yard par 3 17th at Williamsport Country Club. Playing with Huber were freshman Tre Lesperance, Hill Meserve, and Colby Seiler. They went absolutely nuts. The boys celebrated at Sheetz. No need to ask what Jay shot the next day at Susquehanna CC. It doesn’t matter. My man is a legend. An ace. Hopefully, there is room for a photo. That’s the highs and lows of this game.
The Masters really inspires me to start playing again. I know that I am not alone either. There is something super special about this legendary tournament. It moves the average golf fan. Does anyone else lock themselves in the basement? Who else goes outside to hit a few chips during a commercial break? I tend to watch the action with a club in hand. Maybe stroke a few putts on the living room carpet. It’s normal. A “tradition unlike any other.”
Cheers.
