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Classic Series Launched in Fine Style
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March 30, 1998 Phoenix, Arizona: In the foothills of the snow-capped Superstition Mountain, and under a setting Arizona sun, the Inaugural Classic golf tournament ended when Jack Nicklaus chipped in from eighty yards away on the par five finishing hole. The eagle three helped push his father and son better ball team score to six under par, best among the six two man teams. Playing with son Gary in a foursome alongside longtime rival Gary Player and his son Wayne, the Golden Bear delighted an appreciative gallery who braved an unseasonably brisk wind in order to the see the lineup of legendary golfers in action. Joining the Nicklaus' and the Players' were Sam Snead and teammate Bob Goalby, Tommy Bolt and Charlie Sifford, Dow Finsterwald and Bob Rosburg, and Lionel and Jean Paul Hebert.
The day got underway with an informal clinic where each player spoke briefly about a swing tip they tried to keep in mind before demonstrating that advice in action. What was in greatest evidence, however, was the camaraderie between the players, who have been competing against each other for so many years.
After a quick spot of lunch for both the players and the fans, it was onto the course. The Prospector Course at Superstition Mountain is 7000 yards of breathtaking scenery and lightning fast greens. More than a few grumbles were heard from the pros when lag putts repeatedly finished more than five feet past their intended target. Jack, himself, who along with son Gary designed the layout, compared the greens to the ones he will face in two weeks at Augusta. "I don't remember putting greens this fast outside of the Masters," Nicklaus would later say. Still, contrary to the pro's lamenting, a few birdies were made on the day.
"Terrible" Tommy Bolt, the 1958 US Open champion, made a three at the par four seventh hole, a harmonious convergence that convinced the cantankerous veteran to forge on. 1968 Masters champion Bob Goalby warmed up on the inward nine to the tune of three birdies. Jean Paul Hebert, son of the late Jay Hebert, the 1960 PGA champion, proved that staying on the fairway is not always the simplest way home when he made birdie twice from off the rocky desert floor. Only his clubs were complaining about that development. And when "Sweet Swingin'" Sam Snead made birdie at the Fifteenth, well, you could say that Superstition Mountain had been baptized.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the afternoon, from a fan's perspective, was the access to the golf course and the players that the sponsors of the event and their guests enjoyed. The small field and the intimate nature of the affair encouraged interaction between player and gallery. Onlookers strolled up fairways with their chosen foursome. This unprecedented entry into a usually restricted setting was treated cautiously, at first, by the gallery. It wasn't until Nicklaus invited his fans to ask for autographs during play that the truly personal tone of the day was set. Afterwards, in the Superstition Mountain clubhouse, while the golfers warmed up with Irish coffees, an interesting phenomenon was observed. Having had unencumbered access to these national golfing treasures for the better part of the day, the mood became positively convivial. Perhaps there is a lesson in there somewhere for the impersonal monolith that goes by the name "PGA Tour", no?
What can be said unequivocally about the day's events is that, if the Inaugural Classic is any indication, then the Classic Series is off to a promising start. What's more, when the Series shifts east, and players from the regular tour play 36 holes on Monday in a Ryder Cup format for half million dollar purses, followed by a Tuesday Pro-Am with Classic Series sponsors and guests, the only problem will be keeping this thing from getting too big!
For more information contact Damian Loth at (602) 955-8895. |
