2008 Masters golf tournament tees off

SPORTS: Indians have a reason to cheer as Jeev Milkha Singh and Daniel Chopra are also playing.

This year Indian golf lovers are in for triple delight because Jeev Milkha Singh and Daniel Chopra are playing, and of course, the Masters Tournament itself.

Each day this week we are pleased to present to you a direct account of the tournament and also the mystical aura which envelopes this most extraordinarily managed and marketed sporting event in the world.

The joy of following the Masters event is much enhanced by some knowledge of the environment and the mythology that has developed around this tournament, which is held annually at the same venue (Augusta National Golf Club). 

Hole	Par	Yards	Name
1	4	455	Tea Olive
2	5	575	Dogwood
3	4	350	Flowering Peach
4	3	240	Flowering Crabapple
5	4	455	Magnolia
6	3	180	Juniper
7	4	450	Pampas
8	5	570	Yellow Jasmine
9	4	460	Carolina Cherry
10	4	495	Camelia
11	4	505	White Dogwood
12	3	155	Golden Bell
13	5	510	Azalea
14	4	440	Chinese Fir
15	5	530	Fire Thorn
16	3	170	Redbud
17	4	440	Nandina
18	4	465	Holly

Each hole is named after a particular flowering tree or shrub, paintings of which adorn the walls of the main drawing room at the Augusta National Clubhouse. Being voyeurs as well as players of the game, we naturally tend to search the leader board for familiar names.

But following Tiger Woods's example of the physical and mental fitness required for this level of the game, every aspirant on the US PGA Tour (the world's largest by far at over $200 million) can win any of the tournaments, including the coveted Masters.

The campaign of getting to play in the Masters needs to be appreciated as the crushing struggle that goes into such a campaign cannot be overstated. Starting with Junior Training (sponsored in India by Usha International Ltd) and local competitions, a time comes to determine whether sufficient talent exists to make the family commitment for the sacrifice required to succeed as a Pro.

Then active participation in intramural, inter state and other testing tournaments before coming to the "crossroads" decision of turning to Pro Golf or finding some other more easy source of livelihood.

The choice to turn Pro entails a life of endless practice, playing in regional tournaments and inching one's way upwards towards qualifying school in the selected country/tour.

The loneliness and frustration of failing to qualify, missed cuts, initial early lower order finishes, which hardly yield sufficient income to live by, truly test one's grit and will.

Suddenly, almost surprisingly, a break comes when you appear occasionally on the leader board. The years of ceaseless toil by day and dreaming of magical shots by night, seem ready to bear fruit with the first top ten finish. A little recognition attracts the equipment and financial sponsors (just in case you make it big!).

With several knocks on the door of a win, comes the growing familiarity with the heartache of choking at the crucial moment, when a sure win evaporates as your mind and body get out of synch (Greg Norman, already a champion, never won the Masters as he blew a seven shot lead in the final round, losing to Faldo).

The loss of confidence, the going to Gurus and finally regaining that confidence and, through the burnishing of one's golfing character through these trials, finally breaking through to a first (and only?) win.

With that win, the floodgates of the realisation that all dreams and possibilities can open up and one can imagine winning a Major, fondling and kissing the Claret Jug (The Open ... in the UK) and of course, the holiest of holy grails, the Green Jacket (the eternal symbol of the Masters Championship) being placed on your shoulders by the previous year's winner.

Tiger Woods began his campaign when he was two years old! And you?

So this is the best field in the world and while Tiger will be a clear favourite, anyone can win, even Jeev Milkha Singh or Daniel Chopra "" should the Lord's Grace descend on them.

Tomorrow:
Mythology and Mirages