Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The Golfing Legend Who Made His Reputation By Simple Courtesies

By Andrew Rice


During our adolescent period, we tend to live with a stress-free life, no pressure, no serious works and even no visible future plans at all, but not with Ben Daniel Crenshaw. He is an American professional golfer at the age of 21 who got his 19 victories on the PGA Tour, including two major battles: The 1984-1995 Masters Tournament. Gentle Ben, as an amateur golfer played at Austin High School and in the University Texas won three awards from 1971-1973 with great skills and knowledge in golfing. Historians commented on several books that Ben achieved his first award with great confidence and roaring spirit to win, and this was his uniqueness from the earlier champions Marty Fleckman (1967), Robert Gamez (1990), Garrett Willis (2001), and Russell Henley (2013).

Ben Crenshaw or also known as 'Gentle Ben' was a Texan who started to show his skills in golfing since he was still a student at Austin High School and in the University of Texas, where he won three major awards from 1971 to 1973. He became popular when he got the first award and event of his career - the second player in history who won the Masters Tournament in 1973, though earlier golfers such as Robert Gamez, Garret Willis, Russell Henley and Marty Fleckman also achieved it. Yet being a Texan has its benefits with year round golf rounds available courtesy of geography and the climate. Its not as if you are up north In Canada where all Manitobans can do is watch the golf channel on TV or take up the alternate winter sport of curling. Others , if they are lucky enough to have the cash can venture on a golfing vacation or extended "snowbird" visit.

Ben Crenshaw, a Texan with great golfing skills and courageous spirit has been a winner in 1984 Masters. He led after the first round of the game and he trailed his fellow Texan Tom Kite by two shots. This battle was a challenge for both Texan stars, but more than a contest between two perpetual bridesmaids. Kite was known for his close fights and wins in the majors while Crenshaw had lost a play-off for the 1979 PGA Championship to David Graham. Nevertheless, the latter star finished equal second in the British Open in 1978 and 1979.

After winning his amateur fights, he tested his skills with different professional battles from 1973- 1995. Fortunately, he got 29 awards. He competed international golfers in San Antonio Texas Open(1973), Bing Crosby(1976), Hawaiian Open (1976), Ohio Kings (1976), Colonial National Invitation (1977), Phoenix Open (1979, Walt Disney World National Team Championship (1979), Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic Byron Nelson Golf Classic(1983), Masters Tournament (1984), Buick Open (1986) and Vantage Tournament (1986).

How gentle is Ben Crenshaw? As his statement clearly stated above, he was as gentle as a tiger when looking for preys, as gentle as warriors when facing battles, as gentle as every golfer who is achieving his success in an upward motion. Gentle Ben is a player who doesn't back off after trials and major disasters in life, but a survivor who still want something to prove and achieve.




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