Colorado Connections to The Masters …and Gary McCord Doesn’t Count

EDWARD CLOSE The Littleton resident is a member of Augusta National and the paternal uncle of five-time Academy Award-nominee Glenn Close.

PETE COORS “It’s a real thrill to play there,” the Augusta National member and brewing magnate told us in 2002, “especially looking at those bleached white bunkers and knowing you’ll be in every one of them.”

STEVEN “PEPSI” HALE Nicknamed for his preferred beverage, the Parker-based caddie will man the bag for Keegan Bradley at this year’s Masters. This will be Hale’s third time around Augusta National, having looped for Bradley last year and Johnson Wagner in 2008.

DOW FINSTERWALD At the 1962 Masters, the 1958 PGA Champion and longtime Broadmoor pro lost to Arnold Palmer in a three-way playoff with Gary Player.

GARY HALLBERG The 1985 Masters saw the Castle Rock resident tie for sixth.

FREDERIC C. HAMILTON This Denver businessman and philanthropist’s name graces the member roster at Augusta National, numerous boards and the newest building at the Denver Art Museum.

HALE IRWIN Between 1974 and 1978, the legendary Buff finished in the top eight at The Masters.

BRANDT JOBE The Kent Denver product’s highest finish in three Masters is T14 in 1999

MARTIN LAIRD Colorado State’s PGA Tour rep tied for 20th at the 2011 Masters.

CHARLES “BABE” LIND In 1947, this Colorado Golf Hall of Famer became the first native Coloradan toplay in The Masters, finishing as second-low amateur with a 15-over 303.

BILL LOEFFLER One of Colorado’s most decorated players earned a trip to the 1987 Masters by virtue of his victory in the 1986 U.S. Mid-Amateur. He missed the cut.

VERNE LUNDQUIST Famous for his calls from the tower at the par-three 16th green (the ones following Jack Nicklaus’ birdie putt in 1986 and Tiger Woods’ 2005 birdie chip-in come to mind), this Steamboat Springs resident will work his 30th Masters this year.

CONDOLEZZA RICE Last August, the former Secretary of State joined financier Darla Moore as Augusta National’s first female members. Moving to Denver at age 12, Rice attended St. Mary’s Academy and received her B.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Denver.

CRAIG STADLER At the 1982 Masters, twelve years before joining the Colorado sports scene, “The Walrus” won a green jacket in a playoff with Dan Pohl.

JACK VICKERS The Wichita-born oilman and longtime Augusta National member brought green-jacketed tradition west in 1981 when he founded Castle Pines Golf Club—home to a national membership and, for 20 years, The International tournament on the PGA Tour.

MARK WIEBE In three Masters appearances, the Colorado Golf Hall of Famer made the cut once, finishing 35th in 1987.

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Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.