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(April 8, 2018) I’ve arrived at the Media Center at 5:50 AM on Sunday. Looking around, I discover that the African American Golfers Digest is the first one here. So, I had the place all to myself for 12 whole minutes, that is until the media folks from the Tokyo Sports Press and Golf Digest Japan came in and went right to work—remember it’s 6:50 PM in Japan (UTC +9 time zone).
BY THE WAY
On this day in 1974, Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s career record by hitting his 715th home run off LA pitcher Al Downing (also an African American).
On this day in 1975, Frank Robinson became the first black manager in major league history by making his debut as player-manager of the Cleveland Indians.
These accomplishments serve as testimony to the fact that when given the opportunity, we can, and will, excel!!
Back to Golf:
Well, in my relative 12 minutes of morning solitude in the Media Center, I was reading the Sunday Augusta Chronicle and saw this article which I wanted to share with AAGD readers. Please read on.
“Famous Augusta National caddie no longer has unmarked grave”
Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery caddying for Arnold Palmer. (Augusta Chronicle)
Avery, an Augusta native, died in 1985 and was buried at a cemetery about five miles from Augusta National. Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery first caddied for Arnold Palmer at Augusta National in 1955 and was on the bag for all of his Masters victories.
Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery
One of the most famous caddies in Masters Tournament history finally has a marker on his Augusta grave. Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery, who caddied for Arnold Palmer in all four of his Masters victories, had been laid to rest in an unmarked grave in Southview Cemetery when he died in 1985.
Former Augusta resident Ward Clayton, an executive producer on the documentary “Loopers: A Caddie’s Life,” which will be released this summer, has known for years there was no gravestone for Avery at the all-black cemetery. But last summer, he wanted to make sure. He found the number of the plot where Avery was located. There was still no gravestone.
An anonymous donor, in conjunction with the documentary, helped to change that. They designed and picked up the expense for the cost of the gravestone. It was unveiled last summer at the cemetery, about five miles from Augusta National Golf Club’s gates.
Former Westside High School and Duke guard and NBA first-round pick Will Avery, who is a great nephew to Iron Man, was among the family members at the cemetery the day the gravestone was placed.
Gravestone of Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery (Augusta Chronicle)
“It meant a lot to me,” said Avery, who is now 38 and lives in Augusta. “I wasn’t even aware (of the unmarked grave) until this came about. I’m glad he got his just due. My family is thankful and proud he has that.” Will Avery was born after Iron Man died, but he heard all the stories of the man who he has always called his Uncle Iron Man. “His success, in today’s world, would be celebrated much more,” Avery said, referring to his four wins at the Masters. “That’s an amazing accomplishment.”
The record for most Masters wins by an Augusta National caddie is five each, by Willie “Pappy” Stokes and Willie Peterson, while Avery and Steve Williams have four each. The film traces the history of caddies and “a huge part” of it details Augusta National caddies such as Iron Man, according to Clayton.
Avery was one of the first caddies to become publicly known because he was by Palmer’s side as the King took the golf world by storm. Palmer was assigned Avery as his Masters caddie starting with his Augusta National debut in 1955, when he tied for 10th place.
Palmer then won green jackets in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964, making this the 60th anniversary of Palmer’s first victory. Avery caddied for Palmer through “the late ’60s,” said Clayton, whose 2004 book “Men on the Bag” was about Augusta National caddies. In his book, Clayton writes that Avery would buy a new car the day after each Masters victory. Avery fell on hard times after losing connection with Palmer. Arnold Palmer won the Masters in 1958,1960,1962 and 1964
LEE AND SHARON ELDER ENJOYING THE MASTERS
I took a break from the media building and went touring the course and bumped into Lee Elder and his wife, Sharon. We all know what Mr. Elder had to endure when he broke the color line at Augusta National in 1975. In my mind he will forever be royalty at Augusta.
By the way, lunch today was pineapple chicken and collard green soup. Need I say more?
Tiger actually did better than I predicted and shot a 3 under par 69 which gets him into a tie for 32nd place, good for just about $68,000. While I am mildly disappointed that he did not win, I am encouraged by his gritty performance each of the four days as there were many points at which his performance could have gone very sour. I think he should take pride in battling to make the cut and going under par in his final round.
He undoubtedly will work on his irons to ensure himself better looks for birdie pouts. Overall, I am encouraged and expect continued improved performance this season, including a win.
I will tell you that the media center is as loud as it has been all week watching Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed go at it with a good mixture of Ricky Fowler added to the mix.
Eventually, Patrick Reed won the 2018 Masters. His grit and determination were on display, especially after he bogeyed the first hole. He gathered himself and played steady golf shooting a 1 under 71. I was very impressed with Jordan Spieth who fired an 8 under 64 and would have tied the course record had he not bogeyed 18. What a day!
I have made many new friends and acquaintances this week at the Masters, as this serves as testimony that golf brings people together from all backgrounds and geography. We all want to see great shots, head-to-head play, overcoming adversity, long putts made and low scores.
This has been a great week for me and another one starts tomorrow, as I head to the 24th annual National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship sponsored by the Women in Golf Foundation which will be held at the Whitewater Creek Country Club in Fayetteville, GA.
RELATED ARTICLE:
Women in Golf Foundation Past Champions
The participating schools will compete for the Renee Powell Cup honoring Renee Powell, the second African American to compete on the LPGA as a female professional golfer. The event is officiated by Georgia Golf Association, PGA professionals and USGA volunteers.
I appreciate each and everyone one of you who read my daily reports. I hope I was able to share my experiences to your satisfaction. If you find yourself Augusta during Masters week next year, you should stop in and enjoy the place. The Augusta National Golf Club is a sight to behold.
It really is “all that and a bag of chips”…theirs.
I would be very honored if you would send me your comments, suggestions and ideas.
Thanks for reading. Meet me at the Masters next year.
James R. Beatty is Founder of NCS International, an Omaha, Nebraska-based company that providers of an array of economic development services. He serves as Executive Editor at the African American Golfer’s Digest and on the Golf 20/20 Diversity Task Force.
