The Big Hit

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This story isn't about, "the memories that I own too".

Boomer Esiason and I haven't met, although we did attend the same university.

After reading this, you won't see in your mind, The Meat Locker from Rocky.

Day 1

April 2, 2012 started at Waffle House in Augusta, GA. It was my birthday so Brian wanted to buy me breakfast. We made it down Berkmans Rd. without a hitch, and went directly to Sports Illustrated's tent studio where they would be producing a show featuring the editors, photographers, and Top 100 Golf Professionals for a week of up close and personal content, fun, and fan input that is badly needed in the world of Major Championship golf.

Monday was our free day so we headed across the street to The Masters.

When Brian and I started playing championship golf around 30 years ago, Brian joined the PGA of America. Its greatest perk, is you may attend The Masters. I didn't join the PGA of America, so I was handed a ticket in the Masters car park from a guy on his way back to Texas.

Long before Facebook and LinkedIn, everything was done by talking face to face, over the telephone or through fax machine, so getting in for me isn't a problem.

It's my birthday, in Augusta, with a great friend. Sounds pretty good and probably couldn't be thought to get better, right?

We walked the back nine with DT playing in a foursome with Harrison Frazier, Matt Kuchar and Kelly Kraft.

At the Practice Grounds, we saw some teachers who've taught for five minutes wearing Player Support Badges, another irony. I'll save that someday for the Boomer and Carton Show.

After a long day, we left the National grounds and headed over to SI.

Like I said before, when Brian invited me to be a member of the Academy, we stand for excellence and innovation. Brian immediately saw that we needed to tweak the hitting cage and the tent for safety/success reasons. Back in the car, without dinner, we left to find some convoluted foam, and black microfiber material, to protect the fans coming to get a lesson. We brought everything back, did a mock up, and the crew agreed it would work beautifully. It did and the crew appreciated it.

We made it to Augusta Mall to P.F. Changs for my birthday dinner. That's where we were spotted by Marty Hackell at the True Happiness Bar. Brian did the ordering and we watched Kentucky v. Kansas.

Day Two

We rose around 5 am as usual without an alarm. Come on, who needs an alarm when your roomate is the Italian Stallion?

We parked the car and headed to the Cleveland Tour Van. Brian and David talked a while and then we headed to SI to see how the changes turned out. All good.

Teaching started at 1 pm. The lines were long and the fans were patient. It's Masters Week in America. Like de Toqueville's theme, America is great because it is good, any proof needed was waiting in line, for a lesson with Brian Manzella.

We saw a ton of flat swings, if not all on the first day. I would greet'em and introduce them to Brian and he would go to work. The first thing I'd look at was the grip and Brian would ask'em what their miss was.

The Little Orange Friend, Trackman was running like Hal 9000 saying, "I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do."

We even gave "Da' business" to some Brits who were inflexible and tight. No joke! That might even end up on you tube someday...

At around four o'clock Brian "The One Take Stallion", did the piece on Tiger's swing change in one take then we left for the Hotel and dinner.

Day Three and Four to come.

Gotta go.

Enjoy Easter Sunday at the Masters, I know I will.

Rick









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Day 3

Storms came hard and fast in Augusta late Tuesday night. So hard in fact that the golf group of SI at The Majors had to suspend all events for Wednesday. We were looking forward to spending some time with The Black Knight, Mr. Gary Player, who was appearing on the panel, and may have been coaxed into displaying some Hall of Fame tips as a member of The Big Three. Maybe next time, in San Francisco.

Day 4

The day started early, and fast. Brian was hot mic.'d so the effervescent Jessica Marksbury could throw it over to the Top 100 Hitting Cage, where Brian would explain the meaning of Trackman numbers while giving a live lesson.

Then we opened for full lessons. Strange thing was almost every swing had a right miss and clubfaces were open. After about 60 lessons, we agreed that Never Slice Again is alive and well.

The most important idea that I may convey, to you the reader, is America is as vibrant and diverse as ever.

One young boy came by whom had never held a golf club in his hands. Three young brothers under the age of 9 were determined to swing well for Brian.

One couple came up, and while her man got his lesson, the wife was recording it on iPhone and saying to me, "26 years ago he was a +2 handicap, and now he's a +30...you think you can help him?"

People looking for help, vulnerable, in an effort to improve at an activity they loved or gave up on.

One lady was so nervous, we "hugged it out" before her lesson. Her husband was grateful.

Everyone put it there, and said, "Thanks."

"We have a great deal more kindness than is ever spoken." ~ Emerson

It was my honor and pleasure,

Rick

PS

We now have Bubba Watson as our 2012 Masters Champion. The shot he hit on the second playoff hole from the pine straw was Chi Chi 3.0!

We had "Going Normal" now we have "Going Bubba".
 
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"Roy Hobbs!"

"He looks wild to me."

"Hey, Mister! What's your name?"

"Bubba Watson!"

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