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Opening will lack tradition
Posted: Sunday April 06, 2003 1:34 AM
Updated: Sunday April 06, 2003 12:17 PM
By John Boyette
The Augusta Chronicle
For the first time in more than 20 years, there will be no honorary starters when the Masters Tournament begins Thursday.
Sam Snead, who participated for 19 years in one of the game's most celebrated traditions, died in May after a series of strokes. Along with Byron Nelson and Gene Sarazen, Snead rounded out the trio who helped kick off the tournament every year.
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| Honorary Starters |
Jock Hutchinson, 1963-73|
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| Fred McLeod, 1963-76 |
Byron Nelson, 1981-2001 (nonconsecutive)|
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| Gene Sarazen, 1981-99 |
| Ken Venturi, 1983 |
Sam Snead, 1984-2002|
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Snead, a three-time Masters winner, was the first tournament winner to receive the coveted green jacket. Nelson, who won the Masters twice, retired as an honorary starter after the 2001 Masters. Sarazen, the 1935 winner, participated in the ceremony from 1981 until his death after the 1999 tournament.
Honorary starters have been a part of the Masters tradition since 1963, when Jock Hutchinson and Fred McLeod were the first to start off golf's rite of spring.
Hutchinson and McLeod were significant because they won the first two PGA Senior Championships, which were held at Augusta National in 1937 and 1938. The tournament later moved to Florida.
The only other golfer to participate in the ceremony was Ken Venturi, who finished second twice in the Masters. The veteran CBS golf analyst took part in 1983.
Reach John Boyette at (706) 823-3337 or jboyette@augustachronicle.com.
Copyright 2003 The Augusta Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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