HJ on a Tradition Unlike Any Other

Okay so it's not really that guilty but to many people an understanding or mutual agreement would be impossible. Every spring, with the blossoming weather, or snow if you live in Vermont(we get the point, let it be nice) comes an event that showcases nature's beauty as well as sheer guts and determination, but not athleticism.

The Masters is a tradition unlike any other, yea I think that's the slogan. And with that, I am completely drawn, excuse me. Okay I'm back. As I was saying there is something about this tournament, this course, the players and their attitudes, the coverage on CBS, that drags me into hours of golf viewing on CBS. The problem is I'm not sure what it is.

Back in my prime, I would watch golf all the time. My prime in golfing terms refers to when I spent many an afternoon at Fresh Pond golf course hacking away at a little white insult until it went into the hole. Those were good times and if you know me well enough, with help from extreme knowledge of that course and a couple of lucky rounds I was able to post an 18 handicap. That was a long time ago and I digress. Its was not out of the picture for me to enjoy hours of golf per weekend; I was around the golfing culture that's what they do. With my second home at Andy's house, I remember hearing Harry get excited or tell us to turn the TV off so he didn't know what was going on.

Harry Lipson is a great man, his sense of humor is a lot of the time out of leftfield but he is a fantastic character. If they ever needed an older more realistic person to play Jim Belushi's character in according to Jim, Harry would be a shoe in. He works in a converted apartment on the third floor of his house and pretty much doesn't leave unless he's playing golf (I'm sure there are other reasons for him to leave I just haven't heard of them yet). There's a treadmill, a gorgeous TV, and of course a putting surface so he can try out one of the thousands of putters he has in the closet. You may think I'm lying but it's true, for the longest time me and Andy would venture up there to putt and try these things out and we never handled the same putter twice. Possibly the best part about this cautious individual is his love for sport. He would record every possible event of interest and watch it when he wanted to, which may not seem like a lot now but he didn't have DVR. This would happen every weekend. Andy and I would be playing or most likely eating and watching ESPN News loop through its half hour segment and Harry would come in demanding that nothing sports related be on or told as to not ruin his marathon of television. To this day, it still cracks me up that he had so much determination to do that. Although that was a long story here is what to take from it. Harry really good at golf, liked to watch golf, recorded golf, and made sure we didn't talk golf around him.

He among other aspects is why I am strangely drawn to the masters. The competition is fierce; it's as if Jordan is pulling up for the game winner on every shot. People will disagree with me and I don't blame them for that, but in golf every shot is high stakes because on bad drive or approach can lead with a concession of victory. The Masters only heightens this as it is that invite only party that you have been waiting you whole life to get into. Once your there though, you are among past and current legends who are breaking it down on the dance floor. If you're lucky enough to make a name for yourself, you made be invited back. Every one's goal however is to be challenged to a dance-off and if victory is in the cards for you on this day, Masters Sunday, you get a lifetime invite and a sweet jacket. The play is fantastic, even when the rounds are over par.

Another obvious attraction to the Masters, or any tournaments if you can stand them, is the Tiger factor. Whether you like him or hate him he does draw you to the sport. Whether your fancy is to tune in to catch a feline meltdown or see one of his historical runs to claim victory and stand alone in the safari, you watch (this statement only goes to those who do watch golf). Tiger is a beast, he rules with an iron fist and will most likely go down as the best golfer that ever lived. And possibly the best "athlete" of an individuals sport we have ever seen.

This brings me to another reason that I'm drawn, anyone can play. Age, size, drinking problem, it doesn't matter on the golf course, seriously ask John Daly, whose nickname I just found out is the Lion. Out of all the drunken nights the best he could come up with is the Lion. I love watching this. Every year as the round winds down and players are exhausted from walking all day and the sweat pour down, its hilarious. Possibly the most nonathletic sport and these players can't even muster a sweat free round in April. The best modern day example is Phil Mickelson, of whom detest and disgust don't begin to tell the story, is always easy to picture because by the 15th hole you can see the sweat collect around his C-cups. Any sport that encourages athlete to have a beer and let themselves go is very much on the okay side with this guy right here.

I believe this to be my last point and fondest experience of the Masters tournament. The time the tournament is put on, early April. For us from the Northeast or any region or country that spends the better part of six months is very cold weather covered in snow then you can relate to this next sentiment. The Masters is a view into everything we love about summer time. We have all ready seen glimpses of the beauty spring brings but as we fall into the second wind of winter, or the better word would be aftershock, the Masters keeps hope alive for a green and gorgeous long stretch that we are close to living. Moreover, early April bring us together families. With both Easter and Passover in this time, we are likely to be with family and for you sons or fathers out there, you understand watching a ballgame or a golf tournament is a lasting memory. I remember some of these rounds that I saw with my father ranging from masters glory to British open blunders to Ryder Cup redemption. You may not like the sport or think golf is anything of consequence but I will tell you some of the best conversations were spent watching these people strive for perfection.

Although I can't put my finger on the drawing power of the Masters I will agree with the sloganeers that it is a tradition unlike any other. So today, I will sit back and watch as the golfers match wits (I was going to use the phrase "duke it out" but it made me the of Duke so I changed it) to see who has the honor of donning the Green Jacket this year. It will be a thrilling final round and I hope you take the advice and tune in. It'll be an experience unlike anyother.