Try to imagine peeking through the fence and trees and seeing Augusta National Golf Club just out of reach of the childhood course you played every day. Imagine peeking through the little windows of the third-hole scoreboard you operated as a teenager and seeing Tommy Aaron become the first Georgian to win the green jacket. Imagine peeking at the pictures on the walls at Georgia Tech of your school’s greatest golfer, Bobby Jones, as you yearned to make a career in the game.
Then imagine peaking as a 28-year-old professional in your hometown of Augusta, Georgia, with arguably the greatest shot in Masters history and having a seat at the Champions Dinner for the rest of your life.
“I don't think my dreams ever got that far,” said Larry Mize, who in 1987 became the only native Augustan to win a green jacket.
Mize, 64, will tee off in his 40th and final Masters next month. It is a difficult decision for any major-champion golfer to stop competing, but it’s made easier by a course that has grown 640 yards in the 36 years since Mize won.
“It’s just time,” Mize said of his decision to step away after one last Masters start. “You know, that course is not made for old guys; it’s made for young guys. It’s been a great time for me playing in the tournament for so many years, but this course is so long it’s just a beast. I love playing it, but from those back tees it is so tough. I just think it's time for me to end my playing career there.
“Bernhard (Langer) and I talked last year. He asked me how much longer I was going to play, and I said I think next year will be my last. Because you know we’re hitting long irons, hybrids and fairway woods in occasionally. I've got a fairway wood into 5, a fairway wood into 11. Sometimes I've had to hit 5-wood into a couple other par 4s.
“It’s getting harder and harder for me to make the cut, and that’s another sign it’s time to stop.”
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