Johnson: nothing wrong with Augusta alterations

WHEN people like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer speak up and lambaste the way the Augusta National golf course has been altered and stretched until it is now a 7,445 yards monster, you have to sit up and take note.

Palmer and Nicklaus have ten Masters green jackets between them and so are entitled to put forward their views. Hootie Johnson, the chairman of the Augusta National club, faced his inquisitors yesterday and refused to bow to Palmer or Nicklaus or any of the leading players of the modern era who have also been uncomplimentary about the changes. A few cracks were apparent, like when he snapped at a reporter who suggested they may have taken the fun out of the tournament.

“I didn’t know a golf course was supposed to be a lot of fun,” he growled. When it was put to him that Nicklaus, Palmer, Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods et al might be right and he was wrong, Johnson simply replied: “We are comfortable with what we are doing with the golf course for the Masters tournament. They are entitled to their opinion.”

Phil Mickelson believes a drive he hit at the 11th on the way to victory here in 2004 was a defining moment in the decision to radically alter and toughen up the Augusta course. He ripped a huge tee shot down the hill leaving a sand wedge to the green and Johnson was standing there when the ball came to rest. Mickelson later joked that he was sorry he hit the shot at that particular time.

“I recall the moment and it had a big effect on me,” said Hootie. “I went under the ropes and looked at the yardage marker and he was 94 yards in front of the green. Coincidentally, Tom Fazio (a much respected golf course architect and the man behind the impressive alterations at Waterville) was a few yards away and that’s when we started talking about eleven.”

Johnson also hinted strongly that the need to lengthen and toughen the course was the responsibility of people like the Royal & Ancient and USGA and until they took action, the chances are that there may be further adjustments in the future.

“We’re not ready to say we have stretched the golf course as far as we are willing,” he said. “We’ll continue to evaluate everything. You’ve got a big head driver, a lively golf ball, grooves and like Jack Nicklaus said, I don’t know that anybody has the answer.”