Bettinardi Golf and The Masters – Past, Present, Future
It’s that magical time of year when the golf world takes center stage, Jim Nantz officially greets us with his legendary, “Hello Friends”, and we kick off the first major of the year down in Augusta. Welcome to Masters Week! We are ready for four wonderful days to enjoy world class golf, and never go too far from our TV’s, until the iconic green jacket is presented and they sign off from Butler Cabin on Sunday evening. Hopefully this year, Masters week ends with one of Bettinardi’s Tour players donning that green jacket!
The Bettinardi’s at The Masters
Robert Bettinardi first stepped foot at Augusta over 15 years ago at the 2003 Masters. He saw Mike Weir hold off Len Mattiace to become the first Canadian to win a major — and the first left-handed player to win the Masters. At this time, Bettinardi putters had 7 PGA Tour wins and more than 10 worldwide wins on the Japan tour. What Bob didn’t know then was that it would be the next major, the US Open, where Bettinardi would have their putter played in its first major win.
Bob cherishes his memories from Augusta especially all of the great players and fans of golf he has met over the years. One remarkable memory was when he was having lunch, looked over, and realized he happened be sitting right across from Bill Gates. He will never forget meeting the all-time greats like Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Arnold Palmer. He also has some memories closer to home as he excitedly recalls attending the tournament and walking the hallowed grounds for the first time with his son Sam
Since that time, Sam, now Executive Vice President of Bettinardi Golf, has been fortunate to attend the Masters a few more times, and will be attending this year. In addition to that first visit with his dad, Sam also recalls fondly the 2014 Masters when Matt Kuchar and his family asked him to come down on the final Sunday when Matt was just one off the lead. Sam, who at the time was in Nashville for a big Blackhawks game, rented a car immediately to make the 8 hour drive down to Augusta. “It was unbelievable to be going to Augusta on the final Sunday, Matt being a major ambassador of Bettinardi and a big part of our Tour Staff, in the final group on Sunday and for everything it represented for Bettinardi Golf to potentially have our first putter to win the Masters!”.
2018 Masters Tournament and Our Tour Staff
Bettinardi is excited to have many of their PGA players in the field on Thursday. Fred Couples (who after 5 years of using a Bettinardi putter signed on as an official Tour Staff member this year), Matt Kuchar (a long-time Bettinardi Tour Staff member), Francesco Molinari, Haotong Li, and a few other PGA players are all set to play at this year’s first major using Bettinardi putters.
Bettinardi Tour Department Stars to Watch at Augusta
Haotong Li, another Bettinardi Tour Staff member, has rapidly climbed the world rankings and becoming a household name after taking Rory McIlroy out on the final hole at the Dubai Classic. Haotong is playing his first Masters this year and hopes to follow up on another strong major performance after his 3rd place finish at The Open in 2017. Haotong Li will be putting with a custom BB8 Tri Plane Proto.
Francesco Molinari, who finished top 20 at the 2012 Masters is playing very well, and is currently ranked the #1 golfer in Italy. He is set to take on Augusta and poised to make a run at this years first major. Francesco will be taking on Augusta’s fast greens with our BB39 mallet style putter.
Matt Kuchar, who is playing extremely well and rolling the ball wonderfully on the greens, is coming off a top 10 finish at last weeks Houston Open and fresh from making the Sweet 16 at Dell Match Play. Matt Kuchar will be rolling putts at Augusta with his custom Model 1 Arm Lock.
Fred Couples, the legendary hall of famer, and 1992 Masters champion is scheduled to play this years Masters Tournament after fighting an ailing back pain. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Fred Couples donning the legendary green jacket. Bettinardi Golf is excited to watch Fred compete at Augusta this year.
Fred Couples will be putting with the custom Bettinardi FCB.
Ben Silverman, who unfortunately will not be playing in this year’s 2018 Masters is another rising star that Bettinardi Golf is hopeful will one day be the second Canadian to win the Masters. Canadian born and quickly climbing the ranks, Ben is a player Bob and Sam Bettinardi are extremely excited to have on their Tour Staff.
Enjoy Masters Week!
Bob and Sam Bettinardi want to wish all of our loyal customers and fans a great Masters Week! Raise your Arnold Palmers or your John Daly’s and cheers to an exciting tournament! Spring and golf season are officially here!
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