RIP Masters diary

Fans of the Augusta Chronicle sports section might have noticed something missing from our Masters daily coverage this year - there is no player diary.

The diary had been a staple for at least 20 years, but it was decided this year it would be retired.

I did most of the early ones, including the first one with Blaine McCallister many years ago.

The players didn't really write the words; we would interview them then write it in their own words. We would get the players to agree to talk to us after every practice round and tournament round. One problem with that in the past few years was some players didn't fully cooperate. Since it was a daily diary, we needed them to talk to us every day.

My personal favorite diary entry was the year I did it with David Toms. In covering the tournament, I completely forgot to talk to him after the final round. He was not in contention so he had finished in the mid-afternoon.

Fortunately, he had given me a phone number at the house he was staying at that week (cell phones weren't big yet). I called and got the best entry ever. Why? Because he had played poorly, finished the tournament poorly and on the way back to the house he was renting in Augusta he had a flat tire. I would have never got that personal item if I had talked to him after his round at the golf course.

For you diary lovers, I'm sorry to say it is history at The Augusta Chronicle.

Who knows? It might make its return one year as an on-line only feature.