ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 10, 1996 TAG: 9604100062
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: AUGUSTA, GA.
SOURCE: Associated Press
BEN CRENSHAW'S TOUCHING victory at Augusta last year was one for the ages.
The moment immediately became etched in the memory banks of sport, one of those highlights that will be repeated and replayed as long as great events and courageous performances are discussed.
As the putt dropped making him Masters champion, Ben Crenshaw buried his face in his hands, sank to a crouch and heaved in heavy sobs as caddie Carl Jackson placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
What Crenshaw accomplished last year - winning the Masters just a week after the death of his lifelong golf teacher, Harvey Penick - was truly remarkable.
Crenshaw was not playing well enough to win. But he did. He should not have been able to overcome the emotion of losing Penick. But he did. He should not have held up as he played the final three holes knowing one mistake would cost him the tournament. But he did.
Just as difficult, perhaps, is Crenshaw's return to Augusta National Golf Club this year, bringing with him this time Penick's widow, Helen, and the expectations of defending champion.
``I try to be someone Harvey would be proud of,'' Crenshaw said Tuesday as he sat wearing the traditional green jacket of the Masters champion. ``The game will always be way, way bigger than its practitioners.''
It was that kind of modesty and good sense that helped Crenshaw win last year, taking the Masters for the second time. He likes to say that fate reached out and guided him through.
That could very well be. But it was also the will of one gutsy little man who never three-putted in 72 holes and made brilliant birdies on Nos.16 and 17 on Sunday.
``I enjoy this challenge so much,'' Crenshaw said about being defending champion. ``I'm intent on putting up a defense as I know how.''
That will mean fighting for pars and rolling in birdies, handling the treacherous greens and playing perfect position on the fairways.
But it's unlikely Crenshaw will find the same emotional reserve he found last year. In his past seven tournaments he's missed three cuts and withdrawn once.
``My swing feels better than it did last year,'' Crenshaw said, ``but my irons need to be a little better.''
It's likely that fate will place its hand on someone else at the Masters this year. Perhaps the perennially heartbroken like Greg Norman or Davis Love III. Perhaps a past champion looking to regain glory as Crenshaw did, like Nick Faldo or Fred Couples.
Perhaps an outsider like John Daly, Phil Mickelson or Colin Montgomerie.
All would be compelling winners, hopefully producing a champion who would move through his year in the green jacket with the same grace Crenshaw has shown.
``There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about it,'' Crenshaw said about his victory last year. Almost certainly what he accomplished here will be with him the rest of his life.
Bringing Helen Penick with him to this year's tournament just adds to the decency that deserved last year's title.
``It will be very special,'' Crenshaw said. ``It will be her first visit here.''
It is another special act by Crenshaw, a big believer in special things happening at special times.
``Playing with John Daly last year on Saturday at the British Open, I could just tell something was going to happen,'' Crenshaw said. ``Call it fate or the ball falling for you or whatever.''
Crenshaw's instinct was correct. Daly won that British Open in a most improbable manner after Costantino Rocca forced a playoff with a 65-foot putt from the Valley of Sin.
In a way it is truly sad that Crenshaw's year as Masters champion likely will end on Sunday. After all, the 59 Masters have only had two repeat winners - Jack Nicklaus in 1966 and Faldo in 1990.
When Crenshaw speaks about the history of the game, about Augusta National Golf Club and Bobby Jones, he brings chills to the listener.
``This piece of land was probably as rare as Jones was,'' Crenshaw said, ``and everyone had the good sense to let that land speak for itself.''
Like Augusta, Crenshaw has been an eloquent spokesman for the game of golf. Maybe fate won't find Crenshaw's hand when it reaches out this year at the Masters.
But it will find someone compelling. It always does.
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Ben Crenshaw provided a memorable moment last yearby CNBwith his emotional reaction to winning The Masters. color.