Posted April 10th, 2008 at 8:25 pm in Golf News

I'm starting a movement to bring Gary McCord back to the Masters

My vote is for the former storage room tenent who made it big, the guy whose license plate used to read "NOWINS" and protege of everyone's favorite anda one anda two guy, Mr. Lawrence Welk himself. Read about McCord and you will know the story of an underdog that turned lemons into lemonade. Besides, who needs a reverent and restrained David Feherety? His commentary so far this week is dull, almost boring, just calling the shots as they are and it's totally out of character for him. If it wasn't for his Irish brogue I might want Wieskopf back (as bad as he was). He needs McCord for a straight man and that Augusta National foot on his neck may cause him to start drinking again in frustration. If you have ever read any of his totally far out articles in Golf Magazine you know what David is thinking even if he can't say it. One false move and he could end up like McCord, Ben Wright or even Jack Whitaker, banned for life for calling Masters "patrons" a "mob." And this was all before political correctness destroyed our society. You can feel the whole CBS team on guard against a fatal faux paux. Even Nick Faldo sounds flat.

A CBS golf tournament is not the same without him

CBS Golf coverage is just not the same without Gary McCord, even more so at the Masters. I have been missing him there for over 13 years now and I think it's time for Augusta National to forgive and forget. How about it Tom Watson? I can't believe that even the snotty rich boys at Augusta could be that vindictive. All because of an innocent quip about the speedy greens, "the club must have used bikini wax on them." My God McCord what were you thinking!? So what's wrong with a reprimand, suspension or even an on-air apology? If this is a lifetime ban why not have the guts to come out and say it?

Gary McCord got the last laugh

The dismissal, however, backfired in Augusta National's face. The expulsion made McCord an instant celebrity (even The Late Show called), and his signature mustache firmly cemented his image. Since then he's written three books, made a not-so-small fortune appearing at corporate outings, acted in a Hollywood film (Tin Cup), paired up with Peter Kostis in a highly successful golf school and become arguably the CBS golf team's most recognizable face. Who needs Augusta National? Not Gary McCord.

Whatever happened to forgive and forget?

Ok, Gary may have overdone it a bit with a tasteless remark and he may have deserved a slap on the wrist. Why the overreation? Were they just looking for a reason to censor him? Besides, did anyone at Augusta National really care about it until the sanctimonious Tom Watson demanded his removal. McCord has gone just too far. Yeah, right Tom, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Cmon, where is your sense of humor? Personally I think there may have been some jealousy on Tom's part, Gary was just getting too popular.

Where is our favorite protester

On another Masters note, where is our favorite protester Martha Burke these days. Has Augusta National won their fight against bringing in a black member (made HER a member to shut her up) or has Tiger winning it several times cooled things off. I guess if you can't have a black member a (sorta) black winner of the Masters will do?

Hypocrosy is still alive at the Masters

Again this is off the subject of Gary McCord coming back to Masters telecasts but does anyone besides me want to heave when they see their new sponsor, the ever "green" and environmentally "friendly" Exxon Mobile Corp? If you look at those slickly produced commercials during the Masters telecasts, no amount of money was spared to make them out to be the second coming of environmentalists? Just ask the folks up in Prince William Sound what they think of Exxon's environmental policies. Augusta National's old boy network can dump a guy like McCord who makes an off-color remark, ban Jack Whitiker, one of the most revered broadcasting personalities of all time, for LIFE, just for a measly slip of the tongue yet accept millions in sponsorship money from a company that spewed a gazillion gallons of oil on a pristine Alaskan environment, basically destroying that area for a hundred years or more. Well, I for one have not forgotten, nor do I appreciate their obsene profits, while us little guys cancel their vacations because gas is moving toward the $4. mark. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised, once again, money talks huh?

I still love the Masters

Even after all that, God help me, I still love the Masters. It's a right of spring that I have looked forward to every year for longer than I can remember. It must be nice for those lucky pro's who get in to putt on a surface I could eat off of. I just wish people would stop talking about it like it was the Vatican Open. Jeez, get a grip folks. It's not even the same course we remember because of all the changes due to advances in golf equipment technology. I would like to see the whole thing lighten up a notch but I know that is not likely to happen. The stiff shirts at Augusta National like it just the way it is but for Pete's sake bring back Cadillac or The Travelers as sponsors. At least they were honest about their products.