Home > Furman Bisher > Archives > 2008 > September > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTee shot of ages at Tour Championship
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was a kind of moment you’d never forget. Man and boy, eight decades apart, but standing on the same ground, sharing the same game, a game that brought resurrection to a community being dragged through the dregs of hell. Errie Ball had not an inkling of the changes that taken place in this East Lake community where he had once worked as a youthful aide, assistant pro to his Uncle Frank. Frank had gone home to England, but Errie stayed and became club pro at Highlands in North Carolina and moved on from there.
So time moved on. Errie won a couple of tournaments in the South and when the first Masters was played in 1934, “First Annual Invitation Tournament” as printed on the program, he was one of the invited. At the age of 97, he stands alone, the only man still in life who played in the first Masters. He finished between Abe Espinosa and Gene Kunes, tied for 34th, and the Englishman went on to become an established professional, and an American citizen who served four years in the Navy in World War II. And so we move forward to a sunny September morn in the year 2008.
Errie Ball has been summoned out of the dusty files of time to establish a precedent at the Tour Championship — strike the first ceremonial tee shot. Alongside him will be a lad from the First Tee Program, developed in the interest of directing young people from an almost indescribably hopeless course of life to one with purpose. Martavious Adams is 14 years old, trim, smiling face, just a mite, taller than the driving club he was holding. Martavious is a product of the First Tee program at East Lake, proudly on display for this special occasion, a project that Tom Cousins created out of rubble that was old East Lake.
Some people 97 years old are 97 all the way. Errie Ball is a 97 going on 77, trim, personable and oozing life. He struck his drive with a swing that has been faithful to him for all these years, 226 yards, straight and true. Martavious was next, a 4-handicap and full of youthful vigor. His swing was lithe and his little body put every ounce into it. Two hundred and 93 yards, was the measure. The result was something that struck up visions of another such youth.
“Is Tiger Woods your favorite golfer?” someone asked him, anticipating the answer. “I think Tiger is wonderful, but my favorite is Anthony Kim.”
Look out, Tiger, here comes the next wave. Kim is the American-born Korean from Los Angeles, member of the Ryder Cup team flashing across your television screen lately, with personality. He has game and the attitude to go with it. Not a bad choice, Martavious. Down through the years, though, golf has made its case through the Errie Balls of the world. They played and they won. They taught and they shared. They set the pace for the generations that followed them. Erie Ball never won a major, but he left his mark on the game in the South, then the Midwest, and now in Florida. He still teaches at Willoughby Country Club in Stuart, Fla., plays a few holes nearly every day, but most of all, he has a style that recreates memories of the golf professional who helped lay the foundation of the game that is today, and brings the Tour Championship to East Lake each autumn. Keep that in mind, Martavious.
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Comments
By jeff
September 25, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
I was there today…What a great moment!! I can’t imagine that they will ever be able to match that in the future.
By jeff
September 25, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
I volunteer at The First Tee and know Martavious well. We started together three years ago. He’s a great, great, great young man!!! And he did a heck of a job today! I’m very proud for him!
By honest_abe
September 25, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
anthony kim!!! look out!
By doningeorgia
September 25, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
THANKS BISH…..you always provide a great story for your readers and this one is a beauty! I too love this tournament and golf in general. Wish you could still tee it up with me.
By GT71
September 26, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
Furman has always had a way of bringing a tear to my eye. He hasn’t lost that yet. Live on, Furman…and write on too. We need you still.
By TerryC
September 26, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
Great column! Columns like this highlight the shortcomings of the other writers at the AJC. Furman Bisher can write with depth and perspective, things that are in short supply these days when instant gratification, short term results and “picking the low-hanging fruit” seem to be the norm. As GT71 said, “… and write on, too”. Right On, indeed!
By William
September 26, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Furman you have to be one of the best sport writers “ever”. Thanks, as always.
By goober
September 26, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Live long, prosper, and God bless, Mr. Bisher. You do with written words what Mr. Munson did with spoken words.
To not only be living at 97, and not only to still be playing golf, but to still hit straight and true tee shots for distance, AND teaching the game? How remarkable! Thank God for people like Mssrs. Bisher and Ball, and good luck to you, Martavious!
By Nancy Ford
September 27, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
I take golf lessons from Errie Ball at Willoughby Golf Club and was very excited that he got this chance to hit the cermonial first shot. But the moment only lasted a minute on TV so I was thrilled to read your beautifully written story describing all that went on…you made me feel I was there and part of it. Thank you.
By R1U
October 24, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
Way to go Bish!!! A universal story for all to enjoy!!! The world can be a wonderful place!!! Peace…..