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There might be patrons who have a longer active streak of attending the Masters Tournament than Augusta’s Dan LaSure Sr., but’s he’s never heard of them.
Throwing out the COVID-19 Masters in 2020, when no outside fans were allowed, this is LaSure’s 70th consecutive Masters. He was even here in 2021, when attendance was limited because of the pandemic.
“I went over 50 years without missing a day (of tournament play),” LaSure said on Friday at Augusta National Golf Club. “Sometimes I’d come seven straight days. I just love the place. It’s like being in heaven.”
LaSure, who will be 89 in June, attended his first Masters in 1952, which was won by Sam Snead. Back then, a badge was $10 and included the practice rounds, tournament rounds, parking and a program. A four-day tournament series badge is $375 this year.
To put it in historical context, when LaSure started attending the Masters, it was not televised, none of the three bridges (the Hogan on No. 12, the Nelson on No. 13 and the Sarazen on No. 15) had been dedicated and the Par 3 Course did not exist.
In 1952, the same year of LaSure’s first Masters, the Champions Dinner started. The following year he watched Ben Hogan win his second Masters.
“It means quite a bit to me,” LaSuresaid. “It’s like the beginning of spring. If you play golf, you can’t wait to get here.”
On Friday, LaSure was at the course with his oldest son, Danny, who is 60 and lives in Asheville, N.C. The spry LaSure still walks the course.
“He’s hard to keep up with,” Danny said. “We love No. 13, 16 and especially Amen Corner. It’s fun to get to share this with him. I enjoy just being with him. I learn something from him every year.”
LaSure Sr. is already thinking about the 2024 Masters, when he will be 90.
“I’ll keep coming back as long as I can amble around here,” he said. “I will admit the hills have gotten…
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Source : yahoo
