Eyes -- and tears -- of Texas are upon Crenshaw in his final Masters round
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Lightning crackled in the darkening sky behind Ben Crenshaw as he slowly ambled up one final hill Friday evening to the packed amphitheater that is Augusta National's 18th green. He appeared quite spry for his 63 years.
The first light drops of rain wouldn't fall until he had tapped in for bogey and stepped to the back of the green, where he'd wrap his tan arms around the man who'd been beside him as his caddie in 38 Masters appearances. There was a group in the fairway waiting to hit to the green, but they didn't mind waiting.
Carl Jackson, 68, a two-time cancer survivor, was too weak to carry the bag for Crenshaw's 36 holes in what would have been Jackson's 54th Masters (Carl's half-brother, Bud Jackson, subbed for him), but he wanted to be there anyway. A former caddie at the club, big Carl Jackson got suited up in his familiar white overalls (No. 38) for the occasion and stood behind the 18th green; seeing him was something that put a smile on Crenshaw's face and warmed his soul.
As they embraced, Crenshaw told Jackson, "I love you." Jackson told Crenshaw, who first showed up at Augusta National in 1972 as a confident world-beating 20-year-old amateur from the University of Texas, that he loved him, too.
The hug? Well, it only lasted forever. The rain sprinkled down lightly. Yes, on this day, Crenshaw had done all right against Mother Nature. He just could not avoid the forecast of Father Time.
Joe Beck, the PGA professional from Austin Golf Club who has known Crenshaw since the early 1980s, had been soaking in the scene back down the fairway moments earlier as Crenshaw walked on past after hitting his final drive. Beck was one of more than 250 supporters from Texas who had traveled to Augusta specifically to watch Crenshaw's final Masters. They wore burnt orange Team Crenshaw caps with the following emblazoned across the back: The Final Walk.
"This," Beck said as Crenshaw walked by, holding his hat in his right hand as patrons thanked him for the memories, "is the true definition of bittersweet."
It was at times sad, but also light, frequently nostalgic and often downright fun, like when Team Crenshaw crooned "The Eyes of Texas" for him on the 17th green. ("Oh, I wonder if Billy [Payne, Augusta National's chairman] is going to be upset with that?" asked Julie Crenshaw.)
The loyal patrons of Augusta National adore their longstanding relationship with Gentle Ben, who came there so many years, made 44 consecutive starts (tying Sam Snead for fifth all-time) and was in the thick of the tussle for many green jackets. He'd land two of them (1984, '95), and Friday was the opportunity for Masters badge holders who've aged alongside him to say thank you.
It was a Hallmark card that went on for five hours, the cheers starting on the first tee and still echoing long after he walked off 18 headed for the clubhouse.
"I feel like I won the tournament," he'd say, smiling, after a round of 85 that was six shots better than a day earlier. "The people ... I just will never forget that as long as I live."
Julie Crenshaw had told her husband that his final Masters would be an emotional one, but advised that if the tears did happen to build, he simply should think of a particular memory on each hole he played.
A good suggestion. But where, exactly, do you even start with favorite recollections at a place where you've spent nearly a year of your life? A place you've been visiting for five decades?
Crenshaw has played through several eras at Augusta National, from Sarazen to Hogan to Nicklaus to Woods. Augusta can dole out some strange mystique. When Crenshaw walked across the Hogan Bridge at No. 12, he saw a red-tailed hawk (Hogan's nickname was Hawk). Fellow competitor Jason Dufner told Crenshaw, "Ben Hogan's watching. You'd better make that putt."
For the past two days, the new sensation around Augusta National is another Texan, young Jordan Spieth, who played a practice round alongside Crenshaw on Wednesday and tried to pick his brain about every nook and cranny of the place. Crenshaw, the last Texan to win at Augusta when he captured his second green jacket in 1995, has a special affection for Spieth. He admires his grit and his ability to score.
"Wouldn't it be cool," Beck said, "if we saw the passing of the Texas torch this weekend?"
For Crenshaw's part, his two rounds wrapped up a very busy, enjoyable, and emotional week. He watched as Jackson, an Augusta native, was honored at the Mayor's Masters Reception on Monday, and on Tuesday Crenshaw was host of the Champions Dinner at Augusta, which proved to be a moving occasion. Arnold Palmer delivered a heartfelt speech on the greatness gathered inside that little room, and emphasized the need for pros to appreciate every second of Augusta and their professions. When Palmer, who dislocated his right shoulder a few months ago, couldn't tee it up in the Par 3 Contest alongside Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, Crenshaw filled the spot.
There were reminders of the passing of time everywhere Crenshaw turned. On Friday, he played alongside Bill Haas, a young man he's seen go from diapers to PGA Tour winner. Crenshaw's Champions Tour pal Jay Haas, Bill's dad, was walking along in the crowd on Friday, and Nick Price, Bubba Watson (in his champion's jacket) and Masters first-timer Morgan Hoffmann were there behind 18 to see Crenshaw finish, as was Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Billy Payne.
"It's meant a huge bit in my life," Crenshaw said of Augusta.
Jackson was asked if it was sad for him to watch. "It's a respectful day," he said. "There's nothing sad about it. It's a day of honor."
Charlie Crenshaw Jr. was there to watch his little brother, who is younger by 15 months. He's been to nearly half of Ben's 44 Masters starts, holding memories that range from great to painstaking. He was there in 1988 when Crenshaw seemed headed for at least a playoff, but Sandy Lyle made a miraculous birdie from a deep-faced fairway bunker left of 18. He also was there in 1995, when Ben had his most magical week at a place that turns out magic by the bushels.
On Wednesday of that week, Ben and his old Texas teammate, Tom Kite, flew from Augusta to Austin to pay their respects to their former teacher, Harvey Penick. As sad as Ben was to say goodbye to his famous mentor, he also was quite excited, fueled by a swing tip that Jackson had given him back at Augusta National.
"I was sitting with my dad in the corner of the funeral home, and Ben got out of the limousine, saw us, and came over to say, 'I think I've got something going,' " Charlie said. "He said, 'Carl put the ball a little back in my stance and I've started hitting the ball really well.' "
The funeral procession was loading up and about to head to the cemetery. Crenshaw and Kite were among the pallbearers.
"'We're going to get this done,' " Charlie remembers Ben saying, " 'and I want to go back (to Augusta).' In the middle of the procession, that was unusual. But it was like a little shot of adrenaline, too. He was really pleased about it, and I'm sure Harvey was pleased about it, too."
Four days later, Crenshaw tapped in the winning putt and nearly collapsed on the 18th green, the tears cascading, the emotions overflowing. Jackson was there standing over him, consoling him.
Those were the memories flooding through him on Friday. He stood at the back of that same 18th green and waved goodbye one last time as a competitor. He'll return each year, preside over the Champions Dinner, play in the Par 3. But it's going to be a little different not competing.
Time marches on. It's undefeated.
"It's all good," said Julie Crenshaw, who was joined on this day by the couple's three daughters. "In life, there's always a next step, and this was the next step. He feels very blessed. There's this emotional connection like no other here. It's unbelievable. I love it. I love hearing about it. He makes me watch all those Masters specials, and I think it's great.
"It's in his heart. It will always be in his heart."
