Golf Australia – April 2018

JACK NICKLAUS

Masters debut: 1959

“I frankly don’t remember who I played my

fi rst round with. I played my second round with

Roger McManus, I remember that. First round,

I should know that. That was only 50-odd years

ago (laughs).

“But we stayed up at the Crow’s Nest. I don’t

know whether you know what they used do here,

but now for the amateurs that come in, you’re an

amateur so they have got to charge you, so they

charge you a dollar for breakfast, a dollar for

lunch, and two dollars for dinner.

“Phil Rogers and I stayed together and we

ended up having two shrimp cocktails and two or

three steaks, and a few days later they come back

and say, ‘Jack, you’re eating far more and we’re

going to have to charge you an extra two dollars

for each steak,’ and I said, ‘Fine, we’ll be happy to

pay that, just bring the steaks on.’

But we had a good time staying up there. Guys

that were on the Walker Cup team together, it was

Dean (Beman) and Tommy Aaron, Phil wasn’t on

the team, but Phil was up there, and I think fi ve of

them stayed up there. It was fun.

“We enjoyed that, and you sort of climb up to

look out and watch what’s going on outside. Just a

bunch of young kids wanting to learn how to play

golf. We played a lot of practice rounds together,

all as a group, and we had good fun.”

DUSTIN JOHNSON

Masters debut: 2009

“Augusta National is my favourite place to

come. From the fi rst time I came here, it’s the

only place where a major is held at the same golf

course every year. Growing up so close to here, it’s

always been my favourite to watch, to come to, to

play in now. It defi nitely means a lot to be here.

I’m always proud to be here and excited when I get

that invitation every year around Christmas time.

“I got invited to play Augusta before I actually

played in the Masters, but I never did until I

actually made it here for my fi rst time. Then I

came and played early before the tournament.

“It’s just a place that’s very special to me.”

At the time of going to press, 13 players were listed

to make their Masters debut. Here, past and present

stars share wonderful memories of their fi rst

experiences at Augusta National.

COMPILED BY BRENDAN JAMES

52 APRIL 2018 | golf australia