Oldest Masters champion still makes annual trip to Augusta

Doug Ford remembers the glory – and the controversy. He recalls the breaks that went his way in 1957, and the one that didn’t a year later.

Sixty years ago, Ford – who at 94 is the oldest living Masters champion – stood on No. 15 with a make-or-break decision in the 1957 tournament.

“That shot,” Ford said, “was what won it.”

A day earlier, Ford was near the same spot, 230 yards from the pin, and elected to go for the reachable par-5 in two. In an attempt to catch Sam Snead, Ford’s three-wood found water and seemingly took the New Yorker out of contention.

After the round, he was greeted by fellow tour professionals, who immediately questioned the move.

“They were all wondering why I went for it,” Ford recalled. “They said, ‘If you get that shot tomorrow, you need to lay up.’ ”

Twenty-four hours later, Ford refused to play conservatively.

After playing his first 14 holes Sunday in 4-under, Ford had stormed to the lead with four holes to play. Not far behind was Snead, who trailed by a stroke.

Similar to Saturday, Ford’s drive at No. 15 found the fairway – a mere 230 yards from the green. It was a shot Ford could convert, but his caddie, George “Fireball” Franklin, urged him to play safe.

“Fireball kept telling me to hit an iron – to not go for it,” Ford said. “It got sort of heated between us and you could tell the crowd could sense what was going on. In the end, I went for it. After all, they don’t remember you in Augusta unless you win.”

Ford hit three-wood and struck the same shot as the day before. Only this time, the ball shot on the green instead of trickling down the bank.

The 34-year-old two-putted for birdie and extended his lead.

“I was never a good safe player,” said Ford, laughing.

Now two strokes clear of the field, Ford’s second shot on No. 18 found the greenside bunker – and plugged. By all accounts, it was a difficult shot. A shot that should’ve required time to focus on execution. But that wasn’t Ford.

Known for playing fast, the man who grew up in the shadows of the New York Polo grounds quickly stepped in the bunker and blasted out. A 1957 article by Augusta Chronicle sports editor Johnny Hendrix stated, “Ford walked into the sand and with about as much deliberation as a waiter picking up a 10-buck tip, he swung.”

The ball landed 25 feet from the cup and fell for a miraculous birdie.

Following the round, three-time Masters champion Jimmy Demaret said Ford, “was performing miracles.” Ford simply said, “The Good Lord made it easy.”

1958

A year after donning green, Ford was again in contention on Sunday’s second nine.

After opening the tournament with rounds of 74-71-70, Ford entered the final round four strokes behind Arnold Palmer and Snead. However, with hopes of becoming the first to win consecutive Masters, Ford carded a final round 70 but still finished one shot behind The King.

“I only have myself to blame,” Ford said. “I missed birdie putts on No. 17 and 18 that would have won it. I don’t blame the rules committee.”

The rules committee?

Sure, Palmer is remembered as the 1958 winner, but it didn’t come without controversy. On No. 12, the 28-year-old from Latrobe, Pa., hit a tee shot behind the green that became embedded.

Arthur Lacey, the rules official, refused to grant Palmer relief, so Palmer played his original ball. However, after carding a double-bogey 5, Palmer announced he was playing a second ball, in which he salvaged par.

Three holes later, Palmer was notified on No. 15 that he was given a 3 instead of a 5. Ultimately, the two-shot swing vaulted Palmer to a one-stroke victory over Ford.

“It was up to the rules committee and that’s the decision they made,” Ford said. “Again, I only have myself to blame.”

By the time Ford reached No. 18, Palmer had finished his round and was watching the tournament conclude on television.

With wife Winnie by his side, Palmer removed the white cap he was wearing and gently placed it at his feet. The Augusta Chronicle described the moment on April 7, 1958: “Ford, ordinarily a fast player, took more time than usual with his putt and as Palmer raised his eyes to the closed-circuit television monitor set in the room, Ford stroked the ball. It moved at an agonizing pace toward the hole – and missed. Palmer’s shoulders slumped and he was embraced by his wife. It was over.”

Following Palmer’s victory, Ford was in charge of placing the green jacket on the new champion, marking the first of Palmer’s four titles in Augusta.

“At the time, I’d be lying if I said I knew what Arnold would become,” Ford said. “But I will say this: I knew he was a hell of a player.”

The oldest champion

Six decades have come and gone.

Decades that have seen Augusta National’s winning purse go from $8,750 in 1957 to $1.8 million in 2016. Decades that have seen Ford’s golfing colleagues pass away, while he and Jackie Burke Jr. are the only remaining champions from the 1950s.

Burke, also 94 but six months younger than Ford, no longer attends the Masters Tournament. Ford does.

Each year, Ford makes his way from Florida to Augusta the Saturday before the tournament and remains in town for Tuesday’s annual Champions Dinner.

When asked what it feels like to be the oldest living champion, Ford briefly paused to collect his thoughts.

“I’d rather be the youngest,” he said.

Reach Doug Stutsman at (706) 823-3341 or doug.stutsman@augustachronicle.com.