Georgia, Georgia Tech rivalry extends to golf course

It’s a good time to be a Geor­gia Bulldog and playing on the PGA Tour – especially at the Masters Tournament, where it’s as comfy as a home-field advantage at Sanford Stadium.

“I hear a lot of ‘Go Dawgs,’” Masters rookie and former Georgia player Russell Henley said.

Defending champion Bub­ba Watson was All-SEC for Georgia in 2000 and said ‘Go Dawgs,’ during his green jacket ceremony. Augusta Na­tional and Masters Chairman Billy Payne is a former Bull­dog football player.

“It’s nice to see Georgia having success in sports other than football,” said Michael Towles of Macon, Ga., who was decked out in a UGA hat and shirt while walking the fairways Tuesday. “Bubba winning last year was great for the Bulldogs.”

Not so fast, says Matt Kuchar, who tied for third in last year’s tournament, two shots behind Watson. He said the contributions of Georgia Tech graduates to the Masters shouldn’t be overlooked.

“I’d like to say Georgia Tech has got about as many alumni out here (as Georgia),” Kuchar said.

He would be right. Joining Kuchar as Yellow Jackets in the field are Stewart Cink and 1987 Masters champion Larry Mize. Georgia and Georgia Tech are tied 1-1 in producing Masters champions.

Kuchar took note that club founder Bob Jones and well-known member Charlie Yates Sr. both graduated from Georgia Tech.

“Georgia is my home,” said Kuchar, who lives in St. Simons Island. “This (tournament) is the most special, and I feel like I’ve got the biggest connection. Being at Georgia Tech, following in the Bobby Jones footsteps, the Charlie Yates footsteps, there’s a lot of connections for me.”

It took 53 years for a Georgia Tech golfer to win the Masters, and 78 for Wat­son to do it for Georgia.

Chances are even more Bulldogs and Jackets will be playing at the Masters in the near future.

Other former Georgia golfers on career tracks that should get them to Augusta are PGA Tour members Harris English, Brian Harman and Chris Kirk.

Former Yellow Jackets now on the tour are Bryce Molder, Cameron Tringale, Roberto Castro, Troy Matte­son and Nicholas Thompson.

“Matt is a great representative for Georgia Tech,” said Tech graduate Tracy Rye, of Atlanta. “I’d love for him to win the Masters.”

“A lot of Georgia fans who weren’t golf fans started following golf more after Bubba won last year,” said Larry Hancock, an Air Force sergeant from Warner Robins.

“Bubba really put Georgia on the map as far as golf goes,” said Cheryl Williams, a 1995 graduate of Georgia who lives in Atlanta. “We’re known for football. We have other good programs.”