Black Diamond resident Tommy Bolt knows a thing or two about the Masters. He appeared in 17 of them. Bolt, 88, won the 1958 U.S. Open and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. He played his first Masters in 1952 and tied for third, five shots behind champion Sam Snead. He Bolt tied for fourth in 1961. Bolt He played his final Masters in 1972, missing the cut.
Q: The Masters has become so big, but what was it like back when you played?
TB: It really wasn't that important in those days. I don't know why. It was a big tournament, but it wasn't as important as the media has made it now. I don't know if it's the media or what, but they made it the biggest tournament of all. To me, it's an invitational. All players don't get to play. That's why it's not a major.
Q: Not a major?
TB: No. Major tournaments have 154 players.
Q: So, how many majors are there?
TB: Three majors and Augusta. That's the way it is. All the players should be able to qualify for the Masters if it's going to be a major. There are 85 or 90 players. There are a bunch of kids that are not playing that could win it. I'm just telling you what I think it is. You qualify all right, but it's semi-invitational.
Q: What was the big event back in the 1950s and '60s?
TB: It was the (U.S.) Open. It wasn't the Masters. The Open is a bigger tournament. The Open is an open tournament that everybody can play in.
Q: Why was Arnold Palmer so good at Augusta National? That's really the tournament that made him famous.
TB: He was such a good putter. In those days, when he was winning, he'd hole more putts than the whole tour combined. He was the best putter of all. He was good around the greens. He wasn't a great driver the ball. He wasn't a great player, but he had more determination than the others.
Q: What about Jack Nicklaus?
TB: He was a great all-around player. He hit it a long way, and Augusta is a long driver's course.
Q: Even more so today, wouldn't you say?
TB: Now that they've lengthened it, it just plays right into Tiger Woods' hands. You don't have to lengthen a course to make it tough. Bring those fairways in and put the pins in tough spots. That's what you do.
Q: What's so special about Augusta?
TB: It's a beautiful site. The flowers, the scenery and all of that. It's a special event. No doubt about it.
Q: Ever meet Bobby Jones (the legendary player who helped create the event)?
TB: I met Bobby when he was in a wheelchair at Augusta in 1952. He wasn't walking. That was the first year I played in it. He was a great guy. He had a great swing for the way they swung back in those days. He was great for golf.
Q: Word is, Augusta is a pretty wide open course.
TB: That's right. You could drive it anywhere and still play.
Q: Well, what's the hardest hole?
TB: Under pressure, No.12 (a 155-yard par 3) can get pretty tough. The wind swirls around down there in that little valley. It can be a touchy little hole. It's a fair golf course. A well laid out course. It's fair in every respect. It's among the better courses in the country. They can make it very tough, I can tell you that.
