Honorary starter will be missed
Web posted 04/05/00
Gene Sarazen, an honorary starter for nearly 20 years, died in May at the age of 97. Along with Byron Nelson and Sam Snead, Sarazen helped the tournament get under way each year.
``The Squire'' helped put the Masters Tournament on the map when he double-eagled the 15th hole in the final round in 1935. He won the tournament the next day in a 36-hole playoff with Craig Wood.
Nelson and Snead will perform the honors this morning at 8 a.m. Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Hootie Johnson will recognize Sarazen at the ceremony. No replacement has been named.
``We don't have any plans for that,'' Johnson said. ``We don't know how you go about replacing Gene Sarazen.''

