Ball the record breaker still going strong at 98 – and counting
Considering how relentlessly the Augusta National clings to its traditions, its handling of Errie Ball remains something of a mystery. Despite being the only man still alive of the 72 who played in the inaugural Masters, the green jackets have resisted inviting back the golfer born in Wales. They may be running out of time. Errie is 98.
To be fair, Ball has let it become known that he would decline a return to the club where 75 years ago he teed it up alongside Bobby Jones and Co. "I can see it better on the telly," is his reasoning. "And anyway, I'd like to remember it as it was."
Ball gets the chance to reminisce on a daily basis. The Florida golf club, where, remarkably, he still gives lessons, takes receipt of many letters from golf fans. "It's unbelievable," said Errie. "Every morning and a few more things to autograph." It has been that way ever since Charlie Yates, his great friend and playing partner in 1934, died four years ago. That left Ball as "the last man standing". Ball was in born in Bangor, North Wales in 1910 and grew up at Lancaster Golf Club where his father was the head pro. At 15, Ball became the youngest competitor to qualify for The Open. It was at that same major in 1930 that Ball met Jones, who persuaded him to take the opportunity to move to the US to work for his uncle Frank, also a head pro at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
From there he built a career and a life appearing in 18 US Opens, 20 USPGA Championships and won many tournaments. In that first Masters, Ball finished tied for 38th after a gut-wrenching final round of 86, but in 1957 he qualified to play again, as a 46-year-old, when tying for 22nd at the USPGA. He missed the cut, but made a little bit of history – the 23 years between appearances still stands as a Masters record.
The truth is, Ball collects records. "He's like a walking history book," says Gerry Knebels, the head pro at Willoughby Golf Club where Ball teaches. Indeed, he is. Never mind Augusta, perhaps it is time for Wales to honour one of its most notable golfing sons.
Big balls and 25 tons of space dust – the future weighs heavily on golf
The great American humourist Dave Barry has been spotted in town and has a warning for The Masters. Apparently, 25 tons of space dust lands on earth every day which means everything is getting heavier. That will have obvious consequences for the size of a golf ball. "According to my calculations," says Barry, "by the year 2038 a professional golfer, using graphite clubs, would need dozens of strokes to move the ball a single foot. An average round of golf would take four months – nearly twice as long as today."
Barry, however, has a solution – "to blast 25 tons of stuff back into space each day". Barry recommends a two-birds-with-one-stone approach and putting all the world's junk mail into rockets. Although the endless Augusta National rulebook could suffice just as well.
Wilson fuels up for his amateur hours
The most heart-warming winning story here would not, as the majority believes, be Greg Norman, but the petrol station owner, Steve Wilson. The 39-year-old (below) qualified when he won the US Mid-Amateur Championship and has cut a distinctive figure this week. "My swing is not textbook," he said, with something approaching gross understatement. (To use the old line, the only textbook in which you might find his finishing position is the Karma Sutra). Before going out yesterday, Tiger Woods was asked about Wilson. "As he owns a petrol station and you could own the oil company, have you any advice for him here?" Reply: "Hit the fairways, hit the greens, hole the putts."
Palmer opens proceedings
Newsflash: At 7.30am, with crowds lining the first fairway of Augusta, Arnold Palmer hit the ceremonial opening drive. There were no casualties. Medics reported just a few sprained wrists from all the hand-shaking.
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