Ike Tried To Order A Hit On The Loblolly & Other Fun Tales
/The Augusta Chronicle's Sunday preview section is full of great stuff, but I most enjoyed John Boyette's definitive story on the demise of Ike's Tree and the image of a former president (A) working out of an office above the pro shop, and (B) becoming so obsessed with the tree that he reportedly tried to order a hit on the tee. 
From Boyette's story:
So Eisenhower called on a 15-year-old caddie, Leon McClatty, to do him a favor, according to Augusta author Peter Cranford’s autobiography.
Dr. Cranford, who died in 2000, is believed to be the first practicing psychologist in Augusta but he also wrote books on golf and the Milledgeville, Ga., hospital where he worked.
“Leon, I’ll give you a hundred dollars to come back here tonight and cut this tree down,” the president said.
Despite the commander-in-chief’s pleas, the young caddie refused.
A short video accompanies the piece:
**Boyette wrote about the first impressions of former champions from their weekend rounds and included more on the tree.
Payne will elaborate on the future plans for the 17th in his annual news conference Wednesday, but players have been speculating about the hole for in the weeks leading into the Masters.
Most thought there would be a replacement tree in time for the Masters.
Lee Westwood ventured a guess that “I’m sure they’ve got a backup for a backup, knowing them. I’m sure they do.”
Instead, there will be no tree this year.
Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, who will be playing in his 43rd Masters, joked that he helped cause the demise of the Eisenhower Tree.
“I’ve hit that tree so many times I put it in a weakened condition,” he said.
