Masters' Insights

By: Bob Boldt

I'll never forget talking to George Archer at our home course of Richmond Country Club in California after his win at the 1969 Masters. I congratulated George for the victory and his unbelievable chip shot on the 13th, finessing it into a bank and rolling up for an automatic 10-foot birdie. Ten-footers were automatic for George.

George's response shocked me at the time. "Bob, that was the easiest tournament I ever played in," he said. I replied, "George what are you talking about? The pressure of winning one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf has to be overwhelming."

George's answer was, "It's not hard to beat a field of 80 players, with invitees who have no chance of winning. I estimated I had to beat maybe 20 players at that time. Plus, course knowledge is a big advantage because the Masters is played on the same course with tricky greens and pin placements. If you don't know the course you have no chance of winning."

His view still exists today, even with the addition of another 20 players to the field since 1969. If you are a bettor, pick the players who have knowledge of Augusta National's course.

I love watching the Masters because the top names will always be close to the top on the final day. There won't be any rookies on Sunday, mainly because they weren't invited or the ones who were invited don't have the course knowledge to compete.

Amen Corner is no longer a problem, with the exception of the short, par-3 12th, if there's wind. What makes the hole tricky is the golfers cannot see which way the winds are blowing above the tree tops.

My top-two picks are Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson, but not Jordan Spieth Why? I have never seen any professional look at the hole and not his putter on short putts and roll the ball consistently, especially on the trickiest greens in golf.

Bob Boldt turned 77 in September 2014. Married for 31 years to Patricia, the father of two - including two sons, Rob and Jason, who are golf professionals and excellent players - played on the PGA and Champions tours for dozens of years, earning multiple victories in his amateur and professional careers.

Boldt, who attended Cal and became the Bears' men's golf coach, is a long-time native of Northern California and currently the director of golf at Vintners Golf Club in Yountville, where he is one of state's most recognized golf instructors. He received the Northern California PGA Section Junior Golf Leader Award in 1999.

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