This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

IT’S MASTERS WEEK!

Northing more needs to be said or written.  But do more of the latter.

Because the intro to this blog reports that I am a golfer.  So, this is a very important week for me. 

Later this week, I will be glued to the TV to see who wins the 90^th edition of this, the world’s greatest golf tournament.

At least that’s my view, so I can say that in this, my blog.

As the Masters’ website puts it:

“Since 1934, the Masters Tournament has been home to some of golf’s greatest moments.  Amidst blooming azaleas, towering pines, and flowering dogwoods, the first full week of April ushers in a stage unique to golf and to sport.

“Over four days and 72 holes, the smallest field in major championship golf competes for a chance to capture the Green Jacket and a place in Masters history.

“Take a journey down Magnolia Lane or stroll through Amen Corner, and explore the iconic traditions, moments and history of Masters Tournament like never before — past and present.”

I have taken this journey once.  With my daughter, we went to Augusta National for the first official day of practice, along with Par 3 Tournament, and, then, the 1^st round.  Then, we hurried home to Oregon and Washington to watch the final rounds on TV.

Great memories!

More from the Masters’ website:

“Augusta National Golf Club was founded by Bobby Jones, the legendary amateur champion, and Clifford Roberts, an astute investment banker in New York.  Upon his retirement from championship golf in 1930, Bobby Jones had hoped to realize his dream of building a golf course.

“Following a brief conversation with Clifford Roberts, with whom Jones had met several times during the mid-1920s, it was decided the Club would be built near Augusta, Georgia, provided a suitable piece of ground was available.

“Thomas Barrett, Jr., a mutual friend of Jones and Roberts, was consulted and recommended a 365-acre property called Fruitland Nurseries.  An option was taken on the property for $70,000.  It was decided to establish a national membership for the Club, and Jones proposed Augusta National would be an appropriate name.  Construction on the new course began in the first half of 1931 and the course opened in December 1932 with a limited amount of member play.  Formal opening took place in January 1933.”

Then, in 1934, Jones and Roberts decided to hold an annual event, which was the start of Masters.

One of favorite golf writers, George Peper, now editor of Links Magazine, remembers many of the stories of the Masters over the years.  Under this headline —  These days, it’s not so much who wins the Masters but how the victory unfolds – Peper wondered what stories would be told about the Masters this year.

He suggested these possibilities:

1. Against All Odds:  History is made as Stewart Hagestad (or one of the five other amateurs in the field) becomes the first amateur to win the Masters.
2. Mission Accomplished:  Rory McIlroy, after more than a decade of frustration at Augusta, becomes the sixth player in history to complete the career grand slam.
3. Brilliance:  Gary Woodland, a year after brain surgery, scores a triumph of the human spirit.
4. True Grit:  A few months ago, Will Zalatoris’ career was imperiled by a crippling back — now he’s the Masters champion.
5. Boy Wonder:  Twenty-year-old phenom Nick Dunlap becomes the youngest player to don a green jacket.
6. How Swede It Is:  If Ludvig Åberg becomes the first Scandinavian to win the Masters, he might just be the next Tiger Woods.
7. Three Down, One to Go:  Collin Morikawa (or Brooks Koepka) joins an elite club as the winner of three of the game’s four major titles.
8. The Lion in Winter:  At age 53, Phil Mickelson once again summons the magic, becoming the oldest Masters champion and equaling Arnold Palmer’s four wins.
9. Richly Deserved:  $400,000,000 Man Jon Rahm, unspoiled by his wealth, returns successfully to defend his title.
10. Number One Hands Down:  With his second Masters and seventh title in 26 months, Scottie Scheffler is unquestionably the best player in the world.
11. Nice Guy Finishes First:  Rickie Fowler — or Tony Finau, Tommy Fleetwood, Max Homa, Sahith Theegala — scores a big one for the good guys.
12. Battle Royal #1—Bullfight:  Brooks Koepka vs. Bryson DeChambeau.
13. Battle Royal #2—Ryder Cup Reprise:  Rory McIlroy vs. Patrick Cantlay.
14. Battle Royal #3—Justice Triumphs:  Anyone beats Patrick Reed.

“Bottom line,” Peper writes, “I don’t care who wins, as long I’m thoroughly entertained.”

Me, too.  Though it would not bother me if a “new Jack Nicklaus” pulled a rabbit out of hat as Nicklaus did in 1986.  His iconic win then, with his son on his bag as a caddie, ranks for me as my “#1 Masters.”

Well, perhaps #2…because the tournament on-site with my daughter in 2015 always will rank as #1.