"IF YOU LIKE GOLF"
weekly online golf column
by
Stan Crawley

April 8, 2003

Almost all of Hamilton County's golf professionals believe Tiger Woods will win The Masters this week in Augusta, Ga.

In a survey conducted by chattanoogatpc.com, 12 of the 15 local professionals picked Woods. A few brave souls didn't pick Woods, probably because they know Tiger can't win the tournament every year. Or can he?

It would be easy for me to pick Woods, but the choice here is a golfer nobody else selected—Retief Goosen, who finished in a tie for third at 277 last week in the BellSouth Classic at the TPC at Sugarloaf. Goosen had rounds of 68, 70, 74 and 65 and seems ready to make a run in Augusta.

My sentimental favorite is Phil Mickelson (all lefties have to stick together), with Davis Love III close behind.

Before Ernie Els suffered a wrist injury while hitting a punching bag at his home in England recently, he would have been one of the favorites to win in Augusta. Due to the injury, Els becomes my darkhorse to take the championship.

He was off to a fabulous start before the injury. He missed the TPC at Sawgrass while receiving regular treatment for his wrist. On his website last week, Els wrote, "I should be back to normal by the end of this week, by which time I'll be gearing myself up for Augusta.''

So while I'm out on a limb with Goosen, Mickelson and Els, enjoy the picks from the local pros. Here are their thoughts on who will win the tournament, and who their sentimental and darkhorse selections are:

ROBIN BOYER, BEAR TRACE AT HARRISON BAY: Tiger Woods. "How can you go against Tiger,'' Boyer said. "I couldn't see anybody else. My darkhorse is Fred Couples. He's been hot the last few weeks. And he's also my sentimental favorite.''

DREW DEBRITO, BLACK CREEK: Chris DiMarco. "I like to pick someone who isn't out front like Tiger or Ernie Els,'' DeBrito said. "Not that I'm pulling against Tiger, but he can't win it all the time. My sentimental favorite is Jay Haas. I'd like to see him win it.''

DOYAL CHADWICK, BRAINERD: Tiger Woods. "You have to go with him, past and present, you just have to,'' Chadwick said. "My sentimental favorite is Chris DiMarco. He's a solid player all around who I've been following ever since he was on the Nike Tour. You have to have four solid days to win the Masters, and Chris is capable of doing that.''

BRUCE ETTER, CHATTANOOGA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB: Tiger Woods. "I'll go way out on a limb,'' Etter said about his choice of Woods. "And my sentimental choice is Phil Mickelson, just because he's been so close. As for a darkhorse, I'd say Bob Estes. He can hit every high shot into the greens. ''

HUNT GILLILAND, COUNCIL FIRE: Tiger Woods. "How can you go against Tiger,'' Gilliland said. "If I had $100 and had to make a bet, I'd take Tiger. My sentimental favorite is Phil Mickelson, and my darkhorse is David Toms. Toms manages the game well and is a good putter. That's what it takes to win at Augusta.''

MIKE NELMS, CREEKS BEND: Tiger Woods. "Tiger will be tough to beat,'' Nelms said. "They have made that golf course to where there are only eight or 10 guys who can win it. My darkhorse is Robert Allenby. I think he'll do well. He's got good length and he's a good putter.''

BRETT RICHARDS, EAGLE BLUFF: Davis Love III. "He's on a roll, and he's way overdue to win the Masters,'' Richards said. "He's healthy and he's got his head on straight. He's also really positive and that's a good sign. My sentimental favorite is David Duval. I'd like to see him start playing well.''

LEA ALVEY-BOYER, HAMPTON CREEK: Tiger Woods. "Most of the time I like to go with somebody different, but he was so amazing at the Buick that it's hard not to pick him,'' Alvey-Boyer said. "A darkhorse could be Mike Weir, and my sentimental favorites are Phil Mickelson and Davis Love.''

DANNY TRIBBLE, HICKORY VALLEY: Tiger Woods. "My gut says Tiger, but my heart says Davis,'' Tribble said.

TAD HOLLEY III, LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN: Tiger Woods. "It's hard not to pick Tiger,'' Holley said. "Davis Love has to be a threat. He's playing as well as anybody and plays well there. Fred Couples is playing well and plays well there, too. A darkhorse could be Chad Campbell. He dominated the Hooters Tour for a few years and now he's at the top of the PGA stats everywhere. Maybe not this year because it's his first Masters, but watch for him in the future.''

DEVERE KELLER, MOCCASIN BEND: Tiger Woods. "I think he's the obvious favorite,'' Keller said. "My darkhorse is Freddie Couples. I'd love to see him win. That would be fantastic. He's been playing well.''

SCOTT HARE, SIGNAL MOUNTAIN: Tiger Woods. "My sentimental favorites are Davis Love and Phil Mickelson,'' Hare said. "The darkhorse could be Freddie Couples. He has gotten re-motivated. It would be nice to see him win it.''

ZEB PATTEN JR, CHATTANOOGA GOLF CENTER: Tiger Woods. "Tiger is my pick and my sentimental favorite,'' Patten said. "I love to see him keep stomping everybody. I think Fred Couples might be a darkhorse. Or maybe Jay Haas.''

TODD KILLIAN, THE HONORS COURSE: Davis Love III. "I think he's focused,'' said Killian, who played at The Honors Course last week with former President George Bush. "Love would be one of my sentimental favorites as well. A darkhorse might be Charles Howell. ''

LEE CANTRELL, VALLEYBROOK: Tiger Woods. "If Tiger plays well, he is guaranteed to win,'' Cantrell said. "My sentimental favorite is Mickelson, but he can't win, though. For a darkhorse, I'd pick Fred Couples. He has been playing well and is a veteran with a chance to win in Augusta. I'm also looking for a strong tournament from Goosen.''

(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)

*** Feedback ***
click here to give us your comments about this article,
 or suggest a subject for a future article