Would anyone else LOVE to see this?

[RolandofGilead]

A third Honorary Starter

I watched Gary Player's press conference yesterday and almost felt bad for Augusta not having him join Arnold and Jack tomorrow morning. Surely they are fools for this. I mean, the man won the tournament three times, is a global legend who spread the game across the world back when international travel was actually difficult, talks of friendly competition and respect for the game more often than golf itself, and has been THE model of physical fitness for over 50 years. He is sharp as a tack, I would argue even more so than Jack right now. He has clear and well-conceived opinions and loves to tell a story. He has publicly stated that he would love to join them should Augusta ask. Surely you would think the club would embrace Gary Player as a staple for the event, right?

I don't want to go pointing fingers or slinging insults, but every honorary starter has been American. I did some homework and it was announced that the decision for Jack to join Arnold was made in August, so a last second surprise tomorrow morning does not seem likely. Coming from a club that only recently announced its trust in teh internets, what can we make of this? I think not including Gary Player as an honorary starter ASAP is a missed opportunity and a mistake.

[frozenfox]

It'll happen.....probably next year...Gary player will be a starter for another 30 years

[Simp]

I think that he would've been an honorary starter already if he hadn't have made a big deal over breaking Arnold's record.

[spro]

Doubt it will ever happen since he didn't return his Green Jacket as requested.

[TexasTBag]

[quote name='spro' timestamp='1302178950' post='3129151']
Doubt it will ever happen since he didn't return his Green Jacket as requested.
[/quote]

+1

Augusta seems to frown on golfers who break the rules.

[wybrh]

[quote name='spro' timestamp='1302178950' post='3129151']
Doubt it will ever happen since he didn't return his Green Jacket as requested.
[/quote]

I don't know this story, can you explain?

[spro]

From SI: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1025452/index.htm

With a few exceptions. The late Henry Picard, who won the tournament in 1938, for years had his jacket proudly hanging in his closet at home in Charleston, S.C. Gary Player also took his jacket home, to South Africa, after he won his first Masters title in 1961. When Roberts called Player to remind him of the jacket's no-travel tradition, Player told Roberts he'd have to come to South Africa and fetch the coat himself. As a concession Player agreed not to ever wear the jacket, and he never has—not even to dinner in his own house.

What the story leaves out is that he eventually sold his Jacket, which now is displayed in a collectors home in South Africa.

[BNich0622]

yes i think he should be as well. you make a great point.

[bpark1210]

Gary will eventually be invited to be an honorary starter. He is a class act and a great ambassador of the game. He last participated in the Masters back in 2009?, I believe. It's only been 2 years since that last round, think the board at Augusta will give him a couple of more years before inviting him to be a honorary starter.

[TexasTBag]

[quote name='spro' timestamp='1302185810' post='3129417']
From SI: [url="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1025452/index.htm"]http://sportsillustr...25452/index.htm[/url]

With a few exceptions. The late Henry Picard, who won the tournament in 1938, for years had his jacket proudly hanging in his closet at home in Charleston, S.C. Gary Player also took his jacket home, to South Africa, after he won his first Masters title in 1961. When Roberts called Player to remind him of the jacket's no-travel tradition, Player told Roberts he'd have to come to South Africa and fetch the coat himself. As a concession Player agreed not to ever wear the jacket, and he never has—not even to dinner in his own house.

[u]What the story leaves out is that he eventually sold his Jacket, which now is displayed in a collectors home in South Africa.
[/u][/quote]

Wow.. I never heard that last part. Isn't that stealing?

I would be floored if Augusta asked him to be a honorary anything after a stunt like that.

[rony]

I watched the Par 3 on Wed and turned it off after 10 minutes. The 3 "Old Farts" creaking and groaning down the fairway, The Day Care Center (In Caddie Outfits) running around a nice little Par 3 course, The Patronizing Announcers, who can't find a fault with anything in the entire world, what a total waste of time. That being said, the "Old Geezers" at Augusta do a fantastic job of presenting the Masters. That's what I want to watch, and the rest of that trash can take it on the arches. FWIW: I'm an "Old Fart". They've had their day, and a great day it was. Step aside and allow the younger fellows their time in the sun! It's like they say at a New York Wedding: "When the Band starts playing, NEVER let an "Old Guy" get his hands on the microphone. He'll NEVER give it up!!"

[needham]

after 1 uping Arnie for the record and crowing about it, in concert with "stealing" the jacket, then selling it, Augusta should tell him to kick rocks and NEVER let him start the tournament.

Jesus, who sells their Green Jacket? He didn't need the money, he sold it out of spite. He should be punished.

[Mizgoodie]

[quote name='rony' timestamp='1302228028' post='3131451']
I watched the Par 3 on Wed and turned it off after 10 minutes. The 3 "Old Farts" creaking and groaning down the fairway, The Day Care Center (In Caddie Outfits) running around a nice little Par 3 course, The Patronizing Announcers, who can't find a fault with anything in the entire world, what a total waste of time. That being said, the "Old Geezers" at Augusta do a fantastic job of presenting the Masters. That's what I want to watch, and the rest of that trash can take it on the arches. FWIW: I'm an "Old Fart". They've had their day, and a great day it was. Step aside and allow the younger fellows their time in the sun! It's like they say at a New York Wedding: "When the Band starts playing, NEVER let an "Old Guy" get his hands on the microphone. He'll NEVER give it up!!"
[/quote]


without those three and some others , we might not even get to watch golf on tv so pay some respect.. its a way for the younger gens to see the greats, The par three was not ment to be televised it was for the fans, and famlies of the golfers to rest and have fun the day before the masters... how could you find anything wrong with it, kids getting pictures that will last forever.. Like all golf coveage you don't have to watch it..

[BuckyBadger]

[quote name='needham' timestamp='1302228635' post='3131502']
after 1 uping Arnie for the record and crowing about it, in concert with "stealing" the jacket, then selling it, Augusta should tell him to kick rocks and NEVER let him start the tournament.

Jesus, who sells their Green Jacket? He didn't need the money, he sold it out of spite. He should be punished.
[/quote]

Huh, I never new the story until today. I have to think he may never be a starter either.

[needham]

bucky, I knew he told Clifford Roberts to kiss off, but never heard the story of him selling it.

sad, just sad, if indeed true.

[Kevie Ray]

Players son is an asshat also!

[502 to Right]

[quote name='needham' timestamp='1302228635' post='3131502']
Jesus, who sells their Green Jacket? [/quote]

Are you expecting Jesus to answer that?

[needham]

[quote name='502 to Right' timestamp='1302236714' post='3131995']
[quote name='needham' timestamp='1302228635' post='3131502']
Jesus, who sells their Green Jacket? [/quote]

Are you expecting Jesus to answer that?
[/quote]

haha I guess it does read like that, But God only knows why someone would sell their Green Jacket....

[ballmark]

[quote name='needham' timestamp='1302298959' post='3133729']
[quote name='502 to Right' timestamp='1302236714' post='3131995']
[quote name='needham' timestamp='1302228635' post='3131502']
Jesus, who sells their Green Jacket? [/quote]

Are you expecting Jesus to answer that?
[/quote]

haha I guess it does read like that, But god only knows why someone would sell their Green Jacket....
[/quote]

Yes, God would know. If the information is correct (which I have no reason to doubt) I have lost a bit of respect for Mr. Player.

[spro]

It would be good to see him start at The Masters, but I can see why AGNC may never let him. Here's an announcement from his webpage (dated 2002) detailing items that he was selling- sold more than the Jacket apparently. http://garyplayer.com/news/news_detail/christies_london_announces_private_sale_of_the_gary_player_collection_of_me/

[McGuire]

[quote name='spro' timestamp='1302358604' post='3135536']
It would be good to see him start at The Masters, but I can see why AGNC may never let him. Here's an announcement from his webpage (dated 2002) detailing items that he was selling- sold more than the Jacket apparently. [url="http://garyplayer.com/news/news_detail/christies_london_announces_private_sale_of_the_gary_player_collection_of_me/"]http://garyplayer.co...llection_of_me/[/url]
[/quote]
Player may be popular with the fans and himself ... but not so with The Masters guys and fellow competitors. That 'cheating' stigma takes awhile to go away ... ask Vijay Singh

[jackfig]

[quote name='spro' timestamp='1302358604' post='3135536']
It would be good to see him start at The Masters, but I can see why AGNC may never let him. Here's an announcement from his webpage (dated 2002) detailing items that he was selling- sold more than the Jacket apparently. [url="http://garyplayer.com/news/news_detail/christies_london_announces_private_sale_of_the_gary_player_collection_of_me/"]http://garyplayer.co...llection_of_me/[/url]
[/quote]

Given that they only award one jacket to multiple winners, he must have brought it back with him to Augusta every year thereafter in case he won again - which he did twice.

I wonder if after he sold the jacket if he's attended the Masters dinner prior to the tournament? I can't imagine that they'd let him in without his green jacket.

To answer to the original post, yes - I'd very much like to see him as an honorary starter. Just get the jacket back to Augusta first.