Do You Remember This Golf Shot?
The Shot Heard ‘Round the World
The shot heard around the world is what the Battle at Old North Bridge has come to be known as. The shot that ended the Revolutionary War and turned the world upside down by defeating the most powerful country in the world. Metaphorically speaking, of course. But on rare occasions, those few and far between moments that require a little more awe, it becomes necessary to rededicate a powerful title, to dub yet another event, with such a phrase.
When Gene Sarazen involved himself in golf at the age of ten, who would have thought that he would come to parallel such an integral part of American History. Standing barely 5′4", the self-taught golfer and inventor began teaching himself in his own golf lessons as a teenager. With no official golf instruction starting out, the man could scarcely imagine what he would soon achieve. A great golfer and career rival of legend Bobby Jones, Sarazen was only 20 years of age when he won his first majors: the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, both of 1922. He would go on to join the ranks of a select few in the World Golf Hall of Fame. Setting himself apart further, he soon won all the major championships. A feat only 5 other golfers have done through the duration of their careers. But perhaps the most momentous of these victories comes in the form of the Masters Tournament of 1935.
Sarazen stepped up to the tee on the fifteenth hole, a ferocious par 5. Down three strokes to Craig Woods in this big tournament (not yet one of the Majors), with only four holes to play, Sarazen was surely feeling the pressure. However, his power swings were well-known, and he could send the ball astonishing distances. So, he let a drive rip. The ball settled about 235 yards from the hole. In 1935 this distance would be much more difficult to reach than today. Consider the advances in golf equipment, both club and ball design, technique, and even in human strength, and meditate on how far this would have been over 70 years ago. While Sarazen was slipping his 4 wood out of his bag, the tournament officials were busy filling out the winning check to Craig Woods (a whopping $1500).
Stepping up to the ball, Sarazen must have felt the weight of the world bearing down on him. Just take it one shot a time and you can slowly make up the deficit. You have four more holes to catch Woods. Focus and swing strong and you’ll be fine. Exhale. Inhale.
Whack.
Exhale. One shot. That was all it took. The golf ball rolled, dropping and curving straight for the hole. The only sound for miles was that of the ball rattling around the cup. Even the birds seemed to be awestruck. Sarazen had sunk the shot from 235 yards out, finishing the par 5 with two strikes, for a double eagle, more aptly known as an albatross. With one swing, Sarazen caught the leader from three strokes back, stunning the world. The two professionals played out the rest of the round neck and neck, finishing with a tie score. Not over yet. A 36-hole playoff round ensued. The Squire’s shots fell long and true, and he easily bested his opponent. Winning the playoff by an effortless 5 strokes, Gene Sarazen required a second check to be filled out. He no longer needed to look for signs about cheap golf clubs for sale. He was set.
The truth about this shot, though, is more than just the vaulting of a man into greatness. More than eternalizing his name by emblazoning it with the greatest shot ever made. This shot did more than that. It brought the Masters Tournament into the eye of the mass public. Vying for a spot as one of Men’s Major Championships, the Masters was trying to solidify its place. With a shot like this one, more than a little attention is drawn. By calling such great notice to the tournament, Sarazen brought it fame, and thus helped earn it a spot as one of the four Majors.
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