Mitch Calvert
The Masters had a Fort Frances flavour this year with local golf fans Greg Tighe and Doug Baird taking in all the mystique of Augusta National.
“Both Doug and I are big golf fans, so it was obviously a thrilling experience,” said Tighe. “Our wives got together and it was a Christmas present for us.
“It was sure a thrill on Christmas morning to open up that present,” he enthused.
The pair had tickets for Sunday’s final round, and were able to get up close to former Masters champion Mike Weir of Bright’s Grove, Ont.
“First tee-time was 10:35 [a.m.] with Mike Weir and Kevin Sutherland, so we got on the grounds about 9 [a.m.] and went and set our chairs up at the 16th hole,” Tighe explained.
“Then we went back to the first tee and we followed Mike Weir for 18 holes.”
Weir wasn’t in contention by Sunday after carding a seven-over 79 the previous day, but Tighe and Baird seemed to help his game as he recovered to shoot an even-par 72 for the final round.
“After he was done, we went back to our spot on the 16th hole,” Tighe noted.
“The spot we had allowed us to see them tee off, it was a par-three hole, then watch them putt out, and as they walked up to the green on 16, we were probably 25 yards from them, as well,” he enthused.
From their vantage point, the pair also could quickly turn around and catch the action on the 17th hole—giving them a front row look at the stretch drive for the final twosomes.
“Once they were done putting on 16, we just could turn around and go behind us and watch them tee off on 17, probably only 30 yards away from the tee box,” Tighe remarked.
“We could also watch them walk up a hill to the green on the par-three sixth hole from our vantage point, as well.
“We had a pretty nice spot there,” Tighe said.
Getting the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best golfers in the world at one of the most famous tournaments doesn’t come around very often—and needless to say Tighe was overwhelmed by the whole experience.
“That golf course is unbelievable, meticulously kept, the fairways and greens are perfect,” Tighe recalled. “The greens are so fast, and the ball rolls so true, and the sand is as white as the first snowfall.
“It’s one beautiful place, and if they added another wonder of the world, it would be Augusta National, for sure,” he enthused.
So does watching the pros for a day help one’s own golf game?
“I don’t know about that,” Tighe conceded. “It’s hard to believe how far they can actually hit the ball until you are up close and actually see it in person.
“It’s something to behold, for sure.”
