"I never had any problems with him because every time I came through the gate, I was in one of the member’s cars. But you could see that hate in his eyes."

Golf World noted that a book by Melanie Hauser featuring Carl Jackson and Ben Crenshaw's lives intersecting at Augusta was in the works and reading Carl Jackson's surprisingly frank memories for an SI/golf.com guest piece, I can't wait to read it. Besides not believing that Big Cliff decided on his own to join the Big Augusta In The Sky, he shares a story about a former club security guard who sounds like a deranged, humorless Buford T. Justice. Thanks to reader Rob for the link.

There is a fence dividing Augusta National from Augusta Country Club. We would walk about a mile from our neighborhood, crawl under the fence at the 13th tee at Rae’s Creek from the 10th tee of Augusta Country Club. That day the boys had caught 30 or 40 fish and were keeping them fresh on a line, even though earlier, Rogers Bennett, Augusta National’s nursery­man, had spotted the boys -- and Bud’s .410 shotgun, which he brought along in case of snakes -- and told them to get off the course. One of the boys did leave, taking the shotgun with him.

Shortly after 3 p.m. the boys saw Charlie Young, the club’s white security guard, standing on the Nelson Bridge, near the 13th tee. Young, who had a gun shop at his house, was carrying a homemade 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun with a barrel that was less than 17 inches long. When the boys started running toward the 11th at Augusta Country Club, Young fired one shot and hit three of the five boys, including Bud, who was struck in the right knee. Young later told the club’s general manager, Philip Wahl, that his gun accidentally discharged as he was trying to load it, but he never told the boys to get off the course until after he had fired.

I wasn’t surprised that it happened. Charlie Young had a bad attitude. He thought he was John Wayne.

“We saw the putter go up and we knew it was going in."

I still say the readers of this site offered the best remembrances, but there are a couple of good 86 stories filed, starting with Larry Dorman focusing on the iconic Nicklaus putt on 17.

It was then that Nicklaus knew his odds of winning had moved from possible to highly probable. The photographs show the change on his face as his last birdie putt of a remarkable final round approached the hole. With soft light from the setting sun streaming onto his face as it broke into a wide grin, Nicklaus bent his knees into a powerful, athletic crouch and raised the putter in his left hand aloft, like a scepter or Excalibur, as he stalked the putt.

This is the recollection Tiger Woods, who was 10 at the time, has said is his most vivid, “the way Jack was walking the putt into the hole.” It is what Nick Price remembers best from ’86, what he saw from the 15th fairway as he and the man who had been the leader, Greg Norman, were walking toward their tee shots.

“We saw the putter go up and we knew it was going in,” Price said. “And it was the loudest roar I have ever heard on a golf course right then and there. Incredible atmosphere and just, I don’t know how to say it, even when I won my majors, it didn’t feel anything like that, that atmosphere.”

Steve Elling talks to various golf dignitaries about where they were and what they remember about the 86 final round. Ernie Els:

"I was really coming into my own as a junior player, an amateur player in South Africa. That year, I won the South African Amateur as a 16-year-old, so I thought I knew what I was doing. So that was played in March.

"In April, I watched Jack win the Masters. It was basically a miracle happening in front of our eyes and it was really exciting to watch with my dad. It just gave me even more of an inspiration to play the game, knowing that a 46-year-old won. It was quite amazing.

"It was late. I had to ask my mom for permission to stay up."

Kraft Nabisco and Shell Houston Final Round Open Thread

Phil Mickelson's 63 couldn't have come at a better time and while it'll be fun to see what he does Sunday, he's vaulted himself back onto the Masters favorites list after a mediocre start to the year. But it's the LPGA's first major of the year that has the potential for a fantastic finish with World No. 1 Yani Tseng taking the lead over Stacy Lewis, with Morgan Pressel and Michelle Wie lurking just enough that things could get interesting if someone goes low.

"Mr. Woods at least has the practice course in his backyard. That is more than his partners can say."

Paul Sullivan files an NY Times Business section front page story on the state of Tiger's design business and it doesn't come to many conclusions that we don't already know: the economy stinks, the projects were excessive in their scope and his scandal didn't help matters.

There was one interesting bit though about how Tiger's design contracts are structured. It seems he was  paid to present lots of plans, attend press conferences but incentives for actual field-time during construction--when real architects get serious about producing something that will last--did not appear to be part of the deals.

Regardless, Mr. Woods’s work with these projects is largely done. He has been paid the bulk of his contract fees. “Traditionally, a course designer’s job begins and ends with designing a great course,” said Mr. Bell, the head of the company.

In the meantime, there have not been any new projects announced by Tiger Woods Design. “We are evaluating opportunities from all over the world,” Mr. Bell said. “We’re staying focused on our original mission of finding great sites, great partners, and creating spectacular designs. I’m very confident about our future.”

Christina Kim Takes Reader Questions On Abysmal Nabisco Pace Of Play

You have to love her honesty in answering reader comments on Twitter! Which playing partner is she referring to?

President Bush Stops In At Redstone; Still Passing On St. Augustine

Bob Strauss caught this shot of former President George H.W. Bush for PGATour.com attending the Shell Houston Open with son Jeb. Great to see he's looking well as always, which only makes his decision to skip his World Golf Hall of Fame induction that much more of a headscratcher.

Masters Rescinds Invitations To Poulter, McDowell Over On-Site Tweets

In a bold move to cut down on the use of cell phones and Tweeting of video from club premises, Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne announced that Masters contestants Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell have lost their spots in this year's tournament following unapproved digital transmissions sent from the club earlier this week.

"To be consistent with the strict no-cell phone policies adhered to by our members and guests, we felt this was the only course of action," Payne said in a prepared statement. "The line was crossed when images of our member locker room were Tweeted and of course, subsequently re-Tweeted by their followers. However, we look forward to welcoming back Ian and Graeme next year, assuming Ian qualifies."

The duo, playing with former Players Champion Henrik Stenson on Tuesday, posted a variety of videos depicting the drive up Magnolia Lane, the member locker area and the view from an upstairs porch where Sub-Air units could be heard running in the background. While the course did appear to be extremely green, the sky a bright blue and the bunkers a vibrant white, Payne received calls from members whose grandchildren saw the unwarranted Tweets, wondered if a violation had taken place, and subsequently flooded the Augusta National switchboard.

"If not for the swift action of our members' grandchildren, it could have been a lot worse," said Payne. "When we confiscated Poulter's iPhone we found images of the golf course. I said to him, "you know, the course has rights too." But apparently this was unbeknownst to Mr. Poulter and the committee felt it had no other choice but to rescind his invitation."

McDowell was also cited by the Augusta Sherriff for driving while using a cellular device, a $200 fine on city streets, but a $5000 fine when committed on Magnolia Lane.

Payne ended his statement by wishing all players, patrons and media a happy April Fool's Day.

Update on 2011-04-01 18:40 by Geoff

**Robert Thompson files this exclusive under the April 1 dateline: Nicklaus Turns To Foley to Prepare For Masters Return on 25th Anniversary of 1986 Win.

"The people at Augusta National know how cool that second green is."

Geoff Ogilvy's column in this week's Golf World features some fun insights, but I'm really glad he's touting the underrated second hole, quite possibly the neatest green on the course and mercifully, still shining strategically because the lay-up area hasn't been clogged with trees or rough.

The course is so good because, so often, it allows us to choose how we want to play. My favorite hole is the 13th, but one of the most interesting is the par-5 second. Almost every player in the field has a different theory on where they ideally want to leave the second shot. Some people will lay up way right for the left-side hole location, way left for the right-side spot. But others will always take the former route, no matter where the hole location is. From there you have a backstop when the pin is on the right. Other guys like to lay up in the gap between the bunkers. From there you can use the slopes on the green to get the ball close.

So everyone stands at the top of the hill visualizing slightly different third shots. Everyone has a place where they are more comfortable. And there is no right or wrong. There is just personal preference. To me, that's the mark of a truly great hole.

I'm clearly not alone in feeling that way. The people at Augusta National know how cool that second green is. It's the one putting surface that has been replicated almost exactly on the new range. It's about 60 yards off the practice tee and is so much fun to hit to.

Ogilvy went into more detail about design changes he'd like to see at the course for Alan Bastable at golf.com. Nice to see he's a dreamer...

"This is more of an aesthetics thing, but my ultimate fantasy would be to get the course as close -- in modern distances -- to what MacKenzie and Jones came up with. It was just wild and wacky and there was some really cool stuff like the original ninth green, which was like a big horseshoe. The original bunkers were a little bit jagged and rugged, like the one down on 10. They kind of had that 'MacKenzie shape' to them, a bit like the Cypress Point look. I don't think there is anybody who would argue that Augusta doesn't look good now, but that would be interesting exercise -- to take all the original pictures, dating back to first tournament in 1934, and try to recreate that golf course. I think it would look amazing."

Masters Memories, Special Citations

They won't win the top prize (please vote here), but each of these memories struck a chord as well.

Most Creative '86 Viewing Effort - David

It was a typical April night in the UK, which meant cold and pouring with rain, so I had to shelter under my golf umbrella. I got some inquisitive glances from passersby, but being Brits they didn't say anything, assuming I was just another English eccentric. I was however accosted by a Police officer on patrol, who was somewhat suspicious of my behaviour until I explained was what going on - and he turned out to be a golf fan so we watched together for a while before he suddenly realised he was supposed to be working and moved on.

When Sevvy dunked his second on 15 I was so shocked I dropped my umbrella and got soaked. I couldn't bear to watch the rest, and praying that Norman would win, went home to wake up to disappointment next day.

Poignant And Bittersweet - F.X. Flinn

In the middle of the 1988 winter, her cancer returned and took her from us in two quick weeks. I kept playing that spring, because I like it and it only reminded me of her as vital as she could be. In April, at my annual Rotisserie League auction, my pal Doug, importantly aware of my fragile relationship with the game, handed me a gift -- a VHS of the 1986 Masters official film -- and told me to watch it before the Masters started the following weekend.

So on the Tues or Wednesday of Masters week in 1988 I popped in the tape and experienced the whole thing fresh, as if it were happening, not as a recollection of an event already experienced. It's not too much to say that my interest in the professional game was cemented that night, and my self-identification as 'golfer' was confirmed.

Bittersweet and Hilariously Honest - Mulligan

I met my ex that week in Hawaii. Downhill from there.

Everyone makes bad decisions in golf and life and I missed the final round broadcast. Reminded of that regret every time I see the replays.

If only I had seen Jack do it live...

Best Perspective By An Australian - Visman

So when Jack birdied 9, 10 and 11 I was beside myself. My father was watching with me and he said I could get to school late that day, he would drive me, so we could watch.

The eagle on 15, the powerful words of Weiskopf before the tee shot on 16, the "I guess the bear has come out of hibernation" from Nantz. On and on. Culminating in Jacks words in the Butler cabin "You know all I keep reading is you don’t win the Masters at age 46, and by gosh...I think they're wrong" Indeed they were.

Best Post, Mother-In-Law Division - The Other JPB

I was in the kitchen of my (future) first wife's parents' house. Her mother was a chain smoker who lived for all the big sporting events, but most of all Wimbledon and the Masters. She loved blondes, and at the time confessed to being openly "horny" for Bjorn Borg and Jack Nicklaus. She was whoopin' and hollerin all afternoon as Jack made his charge. I was only tangentially interested in golf at the time, but I was having so much fun watching this woman that I stayed for every shot.

Well At Least You Got To Hear The Final Round - Del the Funk

I was driving up the highway to a new town to start my first job out of college. Had a little radio that got TV reception. I would wedge it into the sunroof and tool along listening. Got to be crunch time and the reception started getting fuzzy. I found a good reception spot and pulled over and listened to the final hour on the side of I-95! No picture, just audio, it was thrilling!!

Best Image Of A Gathering Crowd, Barracks Division - Smitty

I was in my barracks room at Lackland AFB, Texas, and when I went at this time to go to the dayroom for a Coke, I realized that the entire barracks was watching the same thing I was. The scene was as unexpected as were my thoughts concerning Jack's chances at the beginning of the last 9 holes.

Best Revelation, Butler Cabin Perspective - cws

Moments later, a CBS technician, clipboard in hand and earphones around his neck, came bursting in the room pleading for quiet. You see, the living room we were in was in the Butler Cabin, on the floor above the room where Jack would soon slip on his sixth Green Jacket. My parents were the guests of friends who were staying in the Butler Cabin that weekend. Apparently, the lights were flickering downstairs and the ceiling was shaking as Jack walked to the tee at 16.

As you might imagine, that was not the only trip the CBS tech made upstairs to plead for some decorum. Only moments later after a near hole in one on 16 and again with the historic birdie on 17, he bounded upstairs, to less avail with each trip. The room was delirious and after Tom Kite and Greg Norman failed to catch Jack, everyone in the room rushed out the back door and lined the second floor porch and staircase to await Jack’s arrival for the Green Jacket ceremony. Moments later, escorted by a couple of Pinkertons, Jack rounded the corner, waived to the raucous crowd and slipped inside. Jack was finally able to do what the CBS tech had failed to do that afternoon….for the first in the last couple of hours, everyone in the room watched in silence as Jack slipped on the Green jacket one more time in the room below us.

Best Bonding Moment - Buffalo Mark

For the remainder of the afternoon my father and I were transfixed to the TV. We both let out a roar when Nicklaus almost holed his tee shot at 16. He said before Seve dunked his shot at 15 that this shot would decide Seve’s fate: on the green he would win, in the water he would lose. And he was right. When it was over we both had smiles on our faces that could not be removed even if my mom kept laughing at us for taking a golf tournament so seriously.

As I look back on the day now I remember the moments related to my dad more than anything else. In 1986 I was 18 and he was 43. Today I am 43 and he is 68. With the passage of time some things change, my dad and I are much closer today, and some stay the same, we still enjoy the same 9 hole course and share the memory of the day Jack beat the best and brought us a little bit closer together.

Most Courageous Admission, Owning A Response Putter - Spiegs

Just to add a final footnote to the story, in March of 1986, I needed a new putter and we often spent spring break with my Grandparents in Lake Havasu, Arizona. That particular year, we flew in and out of Las Vegas. On the way home, we stopped at Las Vegas Golf & Tennis and I came across the MacGregor Response putter and bought it. Needless to say, I got my share of grief until after Jack used the same to win.

Best Confident Early Departure - JR

I watched Nicklaus hit his tee shot and then I raced up the hill by Eisenhower tree to try to get a position on the 17th green. At this point, the gallery was 4 or 5 people deep. When Nicklaus got to the 17th green, I could hardly see him. My brother gave up and stood back from the crowd, but I wedged myself into the gallery and raised up to watched the most memorable putt in golf. At that moment, I was captured(2 heads above the guy in the red pants….black hair, no hat) in the gallery behind the Nicklaus's infamous "raising of the putter". I am reminded of that moment every time I visit a memorabilia shop or a club house grill. I left immediately after the 17th hole, because I had to catch a flight out of Atlanta to my home in Dallas. As far as I was concerned, Nicklaus had already won. Today, I make the journey to Augusta every April and I always make a point to visit the 17th green just for a moment to relive one of the greatest days in golf history! I was truly blessed by the golf gods on that special day!