 |
| Masters 2011 |
Think about it: John F. Kennedy was a newly elected president the first time Jackson stepped into the ugly jumpsuit. He's caddied every year since then, except for 2000, when he was kicking colon cancer in the teeth.
Ron Green Jr. of the Charlotte Observer spent some time with Jackson, who's become a bit of a celebrity himself, signing autographs and whatnot.
For the past 35 years, he's carried (Ben) Crenshaw's bag, including 1984 when the Texan rolled in a 60-foot birdie putt at the 10th hole to win his first green jacket. It was Jackson who suggested Crenshaw adjust the ball position in his stance before the 1995 Masters. It led to Crenshaw's emotional victory the week his mentor, Harvey Penick, died.
It was Jackson who was standing there holding Crenshaw as the golfer cried into his caddie's chest. Jackson said he felt like crying but his pride wouldn't let him.
"This place means so much, to go through it with a friend like that, I would never have had it any other way," said Crenshaw.
As you might expect, they come off as a little more than just golfer and caddy, boss and worker.
It's a perfect marriage between player and caddie. Crenshaw is a golf romantic, a trait Jackson admires.
"This club is about respect, integrity, love. Ben exudes love all the time," Jackson said.
... Standing nearby, Crenshaw looks at his friend.
"We've had a nice run, a wonderful run," Crenshaw, 59, said.
Crenshaw, a two-time winner of the green jacket, hasn't made the cut since 2007. Oh, and his first Masters was Jackson's 10th. Jackson told the Observer's Greene that as long as his health holds up, he'll come back to carry Crenshaw's bag.
Somehow, these old friends just go together, like hope and nostalgia, like azaleas and springtime.
Sources: http://www.cleveland.com
