2017-03-26_Magnolia Green
The first major of the year is here! And what is more appropriate than a first time course as the chase for the green jacket will take place on the aptly named, Magnolia Green golf course. A full slate of RAGA tour golfers are prepared to take on new challenge, including the rare appearance by the honorable Matt B. Defending champ Steve looks for 3-in-a-row on his way to achieving his 5th Masters title. Mike, Todd, Rick, and Jon N. will be in the hunt to put the taylor to work on measuring a new green jacket.
The pressure of being the perennial Masters champ was felt as Steve struggled on the opening hole with a triple bogey. Jon N. and Todd put their claims on the jacket with opening pars on the Par 4 first. Rick and Mike started off their Masters campaign in typical bogey fashion. Mike continued his bogey golf on the Par 4 second while Rick and Steve doubled. This allowed Todd, with another par, to jump out to an early lead. Jon N. put a top hat on his snowman leaving the second green. However, this would be the only stain on his front 9, taking it out with a 44, highlighted by a birdie on the Par 4 forth. Steve was able to brush off a dirty start to complete the outward 9 in 45, followed closely by Rick (46), Todd (47),who’s double par on six brought him back to the pack, and Mike (50). It was still anyone’s jacket to wear.
Rick struggled on the back, unable to achieve anything better than a bogey, six the allusive Master’s jacket slip through his hands yet again. Mike was unable to rebound on the back, finding 3 double pars and finishing out of the running for his 1st major. The opposite can be said for Todd, as he was able to par 4 of the closing 9 to finish just 1 shot off. The race to roll in style with the green jacket went back and forth between Jon N. and the defending champ, Steve. Things were tight as Steve took the lead on 12 only to give it back on 14. Steve took a one shot lead going into the last were he was able to close with a bogey to Jon N.’s double. Jon N. fell to 3rd behind Todd as Steve retains the green jacket and the taylor can take another year off from having to do any alterations.
