April 12, 2025 Issue, Page 14 of 16

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SPORTS 14• SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025 The Elk City News MARCH “MADNESS”… By Alex Alvarez close game: 85-51! Upsets in the second round men: didn’t. Duke led by as many as 14 On the women’s side, the Final Four Some of the “madness” began be- #10 Arkansas vs #2 St Johns 75-66; #5 points at one time and were leading were: South Carolina Gamecocks, #1 Every year basketball fans all over fore the 64 teams were decided. First, Michigan vs #4 Texas A&M 91-79; #6 by six (66-60) with 1:14 to end the seed overall who played Texas Long- the USA are glued to the tv for the a six-time champion, North Caroli- BYU vs #3 Wisconsin 91-89; #6 Ole game. But somehow, the “street fight- horns, and #2 UConn Huskies who annual NCAA Basketball champi- na Tarheels had to play their way in Miss vs #3 Iowa State 91-78; and in ing” Cougars went into a 10-1 run in played #1 UCLA’s Bruins. South Car- onships, both, in men and women. to an 11 seed. Then, Alabama State the women: #5 Tennessee vs #2 Ohio those 74 seconds against the “classic olina, the defending women’s cham- You have 64 teams that begin in each beat the buzzer by less than a second State 82-67. basketballers” of Duke, including 8 pions, took care of business rather tournament, single elimination. to win 70-68 over St. Francis PA to The Final Four in men were: Flori- points in the last 33 seconds! As al- easily 74-57, and as well as UConn, Each tournament has four regions, win a spot in the last 64. The game’s da Gators who played Auburn Tigers ways, it is never over until the last who in paper were underdogs, but and a #1 seed in each region. This heroes were Micah Simpson with a and Houston Cougars who played whistle blows, and the Cougars went won by 34 points 85-51! year, all four #1 seeds in the men’s pass from one end of the floor to the Duke Blue Devils. Florida and Hous- on to win 79-67! You’re talking about The final between defending cham- side, made it to the “Final Four” other end, ball bounces among sever- ton were the underdogs by over 5 “madness”! pions of South Carolina and eleven played in San Antonio Texas; and in al players a few times as Amar Knox points, but that is why they play: to In the Monday Men’s Final, Flor- time winners UConn, was billed as the women’s side, three #1 seeds and does a layup for the win see who wins; and that is why it is ida Gators were behind most of the a “battle of powers, too close to call”, a #2 seed made it to the Final Four. Some “minor” first round upsets in called “madness” as both underdog game, by as many as 11 points, how- but the experts proved to be wrong: Though there were some upsets the men’s side were: #12 McNeese St teams beat the favorites on the first ever, their style of play changed late UConn overpowered South Carolina in early rounds, there was not a lot vs #5 Clemson 69-67; #10 Arkansas day of the Final Four to reach the in the game, and instead of playing as if they were playing a high school of “madness” because all the highest vs #7 Kansas 79-72; #11 Drake vs #6 championship game. “classical basketball”, they began and won their 12th title easily 82-59. seeds kept on winning. The first “big Missouri 67-57; #12 Colorado State In the Florida game, Florida took playing the rough and “street fighter” Only during the first few minutes was upset in paper” was in the women’s vs #5 Memphis 78-70; #10 New Mex- the lead late in the second half and style of the Cougars, and in the last the game somewhat close, but you side when #2 UConn beat #1 UCLA. ico vs #7 Marquette 75-66. And in the never relinquished it and won 79- three minutes of play, took a narrow could sense that UConn was about They don’t call it “March Madness” women’s side: #10 Oregon vs #7 Van- 72; but, in the Houston/Duke game, lead that they never relinquished. It to never relinquish their well earned for nothing! And it was not even a derbilt 77-73; #10 San Diego St vs #7 it all pointed out that the Blue Dev- was the third time that Florida Gators lead. Congratulations to the Huskies! Oklahoma State 74-68 ils were going to win… until they held this coveted trophy. By Alex Alvarez MASTERS WEEK the chairman, since it was made par on #14, then made chip skillet cookie for dessert. joined by 8-time major win- was first used by Herbert War- played by all of the “masters” a 2 (“albatross”) on #15 and Augusta hosts an amateur ner, Tom Watson. They are ren Wind for Sports Illustrat- As you read this column, the of the game of that time. followed with three solid pars “ladies major”: the “Augusta also the Honorary Starters. ed Magazine. It includes the first golf major of the year is With time, some “rules” to tie Craig Wood, then won National Women’s Amateur” “Drive, Chip and Putt” for south-east corner of Augusta being played. And most likely were put in place for the invi- the tournament in a playoff played the week before the kids 7-15 years old, in four National Golf Club of holes two rounds have been com- tation, like all past champions the next day. That albatross Masters. Again, following the age divisions (eighty kids, 40 #11 (Par 4 - “White Dogwood”, pleted, setting up the best 40 are invited for life (or until the became famous, and made the tradition of the original Mas- boys and 40 girls) are hosted par 3 #12 – “Golden Bell”, and players and ties for the week- player decides to call it quits); Masters well known because ters, Augusta National G.C. by Augusta National for the Par 5 #13 – “Azalea”). end, and weather permitting, every tour winner in the last of who Gene was, even though invites 70+ amateur women finals. The first one was host- “Arnie’s Army” was born in a winner will be crowned on 12 months; top 12 players the shot was only witnessed by to participate in the tourna- ed in 2014. Many of the kids Augusta National during the Sunday afternoon. The win- and ties of the previous Mas- a few people, including Walter ment. In addition to the tro- that have qualified for the fi- 1958 Masters: At the time, all ner, if he has not won before, ters, top 50 ranked golfers in Hagen, his playing compet- phy, the winner gets an invi- nals have gone on to become unsold tickets (today, THERE will be invited to participate the world; the finalists of the itor, host Bobby Jones who tation to the next five Agusta great players. For instance, AREN’T ANY UNSOLD in the tournament for life, or U.S. Amateur; the winner of was standing by the green, and Women Invitational, the 2025 Akshay Bhatia, who partici- MASTERS TICKETS) were until he decides that he is no the British Amateur, other Byron Nelson, a future Mas- U.S. Amateur, the 2025 U.S. pated in the first “Drive, Chip given to the soldiers of Fort Ei- longer good enough to com- world amateurs; AND OTH- ters champion, who was play- Open, the 2025, the 2025 and Putt, went on to become a senhower (formerly Fort Gor- pete. He will be invited to the ER GOLFERS WHOM THE ing adjacent hole #17. Gene Chevron Championship, the PGA Tour winner, and is now, don). During the last round, Tuesday champions dinner MASTERS COMMITTEE won $1,500 that week (about 2025 Evian Championship, on the grounds, as one of the when soldiers realized that for life. This dinner was first THINK SHOULD BE IN- $34,000 in today’s money) the British Women’s Ama- participants! Also, Alexa Pano Arnie had served in the Coast started by Ben Hogan in 1952, VITED, like last year, Thor- from a $5,000 purse which was teur. The first tournament was who also won in the LPGA Guard, they cheered him after winning the first of two bjørn Olesen of Denmark, a little more than most tourna- played in 2019 and each win- Tour. “Elk City USA” has con- during his first victory, thus Masters tournaments that Ryo Hisatsune of Japan, and ments of the time (you could ner has gone on to many big- nections to this yearly event: Arnie’s Army was “born”. Lat- he won (1951 & 1953) and it Joaquin Niemann of Chile, a not make a living at tourna- ger things in the professional one golfer who learned to play er, every fan of Arnie was part became a Masters tradition. golfer who left the PGA Tour ment golf as most do today, arena. Carla Bernate Escuder in Elk City before his parents of “Arnie’s Army” (including All living Masters champions to play in the LIV league. This as only 12-16 players got paid from Spain, shot a total -of 12 moved to Oklahoma City in my mom!) are invited and hosted by the year, Joaquin is invited again in every tournament, so you under par and won this year, 2018, Ryder Cowan, qualified Jack Nicklaus, whose idol defending champion and the along with Nicolai Hojgaard, had to be consistently in the joining other Spaniards who for the finals in 2019 and now was Bobby Jones and whose chairman of Augusta National who tied for 16th at last year’s top 5 to make a decent living). have won at Augusta: Seve plays as #1 bag for the Oklaho- record of 13 majors Jack want- Golf Club, who in this case is Masters. Since then, many things have Ballesteros (1980, 1983), Jose ma Sooners. Kids are allowed ed to reach or break, won his Fred Ridley. The first invitational tourna- changed, but the tradition of Maria Olazabal (1994,1999), to bring up to five guests to last major, the 18th, at age 46 There is another tradition ment went mostly “under the inviting the best players and Sergio Garcia (2017) and Jon the finals, which is great, as at Bobby Jones’ place. Jack that goes under the radar of radar”, but in 1935, one shot, best amateurs in the world will Rahm (2023). American As- many of the guests would nev- holds the records of six Mas- most golfers who enjoy watch- one player and great media never change. This year, the terisk Talley, who is only 16 er get the chance to step on ters titles. For the record, that ing the Masters on TV every advertisement of the time, put field will be composed of 96 years old, came 0in second at these “holly grounds” other- year, the next ten golfers be- year: The Masters IS THE this tournament in the world players. Here are some things 11 under par. wise. Ryder’s grandparents on hind Jack went on to win 22 ONLY MAJOR THAT IS AN map of golf: it will be 91 years worth knowing about the The “Par-3 Tournament”. both sides still live in Elk City majors, another “record” that INVITATIONAL, and the since the first Masters was Masters Tournament: On Masters Wednesday, there (Note: photos are courtesy of no one will ever match. only one that is played at the played, but more important- A specific qualification list of is a nine hole contest at the grandfather Rocky Andresen Since 1963, there have been same place every year, both ly, 90 years since Gene Sara- accomplishments to be invited Par-3 Course. No one who has who in 2019 was also accom- “Honorary Starters”, the first things will never change. The zen’s albatross on #15 (AKA (it first started the year before won the Par-3 Contest has ever panied by grandmother of the were Jock Hutchinson and Masters began as the Augusta “The Shot Heard Around the World War II, and has been won the Masters in the same Ryder’s other side of the fami- Fred McLeod. Later Gene National Invitational Tourna- World”) that made this tour- modified through the years to year, prompting players who ly, Ann Cowan). Sarazen and Sam Snead and ment in 1934, where Bobby nament well known every- fit the times). Currently, the have a chance to win the “big- The Prices of food are the others. For years, Arnold Jones and Clifford Roberts, where where there were any list includes 20 ways to qualify one”, to throw their ball in the cheapest of any other tour- Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and the two founders of Augusta golf fans. for an invitation, but there are pond on the last hole if they nament anywhere. Some ex- Gary Player were the starters National invited all of the best Gene, one of the best of his also special invitations. have a chance to win the Par-3 amples: Egg Salad or Pimen- (and the last group of the Par- players in the world of that time, was the (first profes- A Champions Dinner (this contest. For years, the last tee to Cheese Sandwich - $1.50; 3 Tournament). Now, since era, and who had competed sional to win all four profes- year, Scottie Scheffler will time was reserved for the “Big- Pork Bar-B-Que, Masters Arnie is gone, you have Jack, against Bobby Jones during sional majors: Masters, PGA serve a menu featuring Tex- 3”, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nick- club, Chicken salad on honey Gary and Tom Watson. the first third of the 20th Championship, U.S. Open and as-inspired dishes, includ- laus and Gary Player. The last wheat, and Classic chicken - Face value tickets are the Century to participate. It was British Open) was three shots ing cheeseburger sliders, fire- time they played together was $3; Breakfast Sandwich - $3; cheapest of any major… but not until 1939 that the name behind Craig Wood who had cracker shrimp, and a main 2014, as Arnie became sick in Soft Drinks & Iced tea - $2; you will never get a ticket for was changed to The Masters, already finished when he got course of either a wood-fired 2015 and could not participate Domestic & Imported Beer face value because the ticket mainly due to pressure from word of Wood’s total score cowboy ribeye or blackened and eventually passed in 2016. $6! owners sell them much higher the media, the golf fans and after leaving hole #13. Gene redfish, with a warm chocolate Now, Nicklaus and Player are The term “Amen Corner” when not used. There are three bridges named after previous cham- pions: Ben Hogan Bridge that goes to #12 green; Byron Nel- son bridge that goes to #13 and the Sarazen bridge that goes to #15. As you see, The Masters is much different than any other major, which adds to the allure of the event. In closing, as this weekend unfolds, you will probably see Bernhard Langer (winner 1982 and 1985) and Freddie Couples (winner 1992) com- pete for the last time. The length of Augusta National, plus the hilly terrain is too much for these 60+ senior golfers. Freddie still hits the ball far, but not as far as is needed for today’s course that measures 7,556 yards from the men’s professional tees. Enjoy the weekend, enjoy watching the tournament, and if it is like 90% of other years, the last 6 holes will be as tense as ever!