The Masters at Augusta has just finished with the young 21 year old Texan, Jordan Spieth coming away a clear winner.
He led from start to finish playing near perfect golf and shared with Tiger Woods the best collective score for all 4 days 18 under.
It
got me thinking of South Africa in the old days where despite the
enforced isolation from the rest of the world the golfers as
individuals, not representing the country could play on the
international stage.
Of course Gary Player was the outstanding South African player of his generation, playing alongside Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer. Everything in those days was seen through the prism of Apartheid and the first million dollar tournament played at Sun City had us all glued to the television. The Masters meant a late night early morning viewing schedule but it was always a moment when we felt we were once again reconnected to the outside world.
One has to ask yourself, how you would have reacted to walking up the 18th green to the roar and the clapping of the huge crowd gathered to watch the final put at only 21 years of age. Jordan Spieth the clean cut kid from Texas, showed a maturity way beyond his years as he methodically went about his business showing little emotion. I suppose that's what it's all about the culmination of hours, months, years practising the strokes needed to suite each and every occasion out on the course. You can't live a normal childhood or enjoy those teenage years when you are so fixated on practicing your skills with one purpose, winning.
I have never had a focus such as his. My life, like most of us was far too laid back to see too far into the future or gather and hone the tools of my trade to such an extent.
His reward, one million dollars for 4 days work is only the horderve. From now on he will begin to cash in on all those hours on the driving range as he enters the record books, starting on a par with Tiger.
At least he seems more amiable than Tiger Woods who was always so self absorbed and remote as a human being.
It will be interesting to see if he is a flash in the pan, perhaps we are in for some great battles in the future with Rory Mcilroy ?
Of course Gary Player was the outstanding South African player of his generation, playing alongside Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer. Everything in those days was seen through the prism of Apartheid and the first million dollar tournament played at Sun City had us all glued to the television. The Masters meant a late night early morning viewing schedule but it was always a moment when we felt we were once again reconnected to the outside world.
One has to ask yourself, how you would have reacted to walking up the 18th green to the roar and the clapping of the huge crowd gathered to watch the final put at only 21 years of age. Jordan Spieth the clean cut kid from Texas, showed a maturity way beyond his years as he methodically went about his business showing little emotion. I suppose that's what it's all about the culmination of hours, months, years practising the strokes needed to suite each and every occasion out on the course. You can't live a normal childhood or enjoy those teenage years when you are so fixated on practicing your skills with one purpose, winning.
I have never had a focus such as his. My life, like most of us was far too laid back to see too far into the future or gather and hone the tools of my trade to such an extent.
His reward, one million dollars for 4 days work is only the horderve. From now on he will begin to cash in on all those hours on the driving range as he enters the record books, starting on a par with Tiger.
At least he seems more amiable than Tiger Woods who was always so self absorbed and remote as a human being.
It will be interesting to see if he is a flash in the pan, perhaps we are in for some great battles in the future with Rory Mcilroy ?
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