Since his 1982 playoff defeat of Dan Pohl, ‘The Walrus’ has become an annual part of the season’s opening major. This year, the 60-year-old Californian will compete in his 38th (and “probably” final) Masters Tournament. He has grown weary of mountaineering up and down the rolling hills of Augusta National, and barely managing to break 80. That is no fun for a 13-time PGA Tour winner, a US Amateur champion, and a Green Jacket wearer.
However, if it is to be his last competitive appearance in golf’s most iconic extravaganza, then it will be the most fitting conclusion to 40 years of Masters memories for Craig Stadler.
This year, Craig, and his 34-year-old son Kevin, make history in becoming the first father and son to play in the same Masters Tournament. It is a fitting crescendo to the elder Stadler’s storied and lengthy career in Georgia.
Having won the 1973 US Amateur as a 20-year-old, Stadler received his first invitation to Augusta National. It was a dream come true for alumnus of the University of Southern California. He was able to stay in the fabled Crow’s Nest in the heavens of the clubhouse at Augusta National, while also taking to the iconic layout about seven or eight times before the tournament. He couldn’t get enough.
However, that natural excitement turned into trepidation when the pairings were released. He was to play alongside four-time Masters Champion Jack Nicklaus in the Thursday afternoon. A daunting introduction into your first appearance in a professional event.
“Woke up about eight, lumbered around and then went down and had some breakfast,” said Stadler recalling the complex itinerary of that Thursday morning. “I read the paper, came back up (to the Crow’s Nest), and had a shower. Went back down about nine, and putted. I came back in, read the other paper, went out and hit some balls at about 10:15am. Came back in, took another shower. Went out and putted for a little bit, came back in and read a couple of magazines. I had lunch.”
A couple of hours later, (after about ten trips to somewhere), Stadler arrived at the first tee. Jack Nicklaus (who he had never met) was standing before him. “I walked up, and just as I did he turned around, and I (put my hand out) and said, ‘Hey Jack, Craig Stadler’, and he looked at me and said, ‘I know who you are’.
That would all be a little bit too much for the young man to handle.
“I was like, holy cow, this guy knows me? Long story short, he teed off first, I went off second, and we kept that order for 18 straight holes.”
Masters Champions by tradition tee off first at the start of a tournament round, and it was something that Craig would soon experience himself.
At the 1982 Masters, Stadler was imperious. He shot 33 on the front-nine on Sunday, and found himself with a commanding six shot lead with seven holes remaining. The Green Jacket was in his grasp. However, mistakes began to creep in with victory in sight. The 28-year-old would make bogeys at the 12th, 14th, 16th and 18th and found himself in a playoff with Dan Pohl.
Having squandered a chance of victory with a three-putt on the final hole, Stadler could have folded. So to the first playoff hole, “We both hit good drives on ten,” recalls Craig. “I then hit a six-iron about 30-feet short.”
Pohl’s own six-iron would finish right of the green, with his approach putt from off the green about ten-feet from the hole. Stadler would then roll the ball to a couple of feet beyond the hole, after an exquisite putt. “My hands were shaking, but I scooped it in there somehow.”
Pohl’s effort for par would miss, and Stadler was the Masters Champion. “I just stood there, and was like, ‘wow’.
From that year on, Craig would bring young Kevin with him to the Masters. After he grew up, with those childhood memories of Augusta National engrained, he would progress on his own golfing journey. It took him longer than many would have expected, but Kevin’s victory in Phoenix back in February ensured that he would participate in the 78th Masters Tournament alongside his father.
"It's emotional in a very good way," Craig said. "I have just kind of envisioned this and knew it would happen some day. I was hoping it would happen some day. I was pretty sure. The rest was up to Kevin.
"It was very cool on Saturday evening, registering and then walked down; two names next to each other on the scoreboard, that got me a little bit. That was very cool.
"It's going to be just a wonderful week and I hope he plays really well and I hope I don't embarrass myself. It's wonderful to be a dad, to be his dad, and the youngest son, as well.”
Their relationship has become strained in recent years, (as it often is sadly), by the destructive force of divorce. Craig and his first-wife (Kevin’s mother) parted ways in 2006. However, they have spent some incredible time on the Augusta National fairways in the past few days.
It is evident just how much that this occasion means to the elder Stadler, but Kevin is also pleased to have the opportunity to spend the week with his father. It's great to be able to spend some time with him on the course when I never, ever, play any golf with him. It's going to be a special week."
A special week, and yet another Masters memory for Craig Stadler to cherish. “If and when I do, which probably will be this year, bow out, I can't think of a better way to do it than playing with your son in the same tournament. I mean, it's awesome.”
It’s been an awesome 40 years at Augusta National.