The first-ever televised Masters Par 3 Contest turned into an internationally seen festival of player fun and family togetherness Wednesday at Augusta National Golf Club.
While last year's Masters Tournament runner-up, Rory Sabbatini of South Africa was the 2008 Par 3 Contest winner with a five-under score of 22, the day was mainly dedicated to player-Patron interaction and excellent short course golf over the 1,060-yard layout.
"It was neat for them to see players can have fun out here," said Justin Leonard. "We're real people with real families and it was great to show that on TV and in person."
Leonard celebrated his return to the Masters after a two-year absence with his oldest daughter, Reese, caddying for him complete with white jumpsuit.
"It's scratchy," was her report of her new uniform, but later she celebrated with a cherry topped icy drink at the clubhouse along with her brother and sister.
"It's a very fun day," Leonard said
Sabbatini called his victory an, "honor and pleasure," after receiving the trophy on the 9th green.
For Canada's Stephen Ames, the annual Par 3 Contest is a return to a tradition he started in his first Masters Tournament in 2003.
Growing up in the tiny Caribbean island of Trinidad, Ames had never seen a Par 3 course and had never played one until his first Masters appearance.
"It was great," he recalled of that 2003 appearance. "The first one I ever played. I loved it."
The highlight for the players and the Patrons was the reunion of golf's Big 3, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player
"Oh, lot's of fun," Player said of the nine holes of standing ovations players received from the appreciative Patrons.
The highlight for the threesome came early as Palmer hit his first shot on the first hole to 22.5 inches, the best shot on the opening hole for the day. Nicklaus spun his tee shot back on the par 3 ninth hole to within a few feet of the hole and then joined his playing partners in signing autographs around the ninth green.
The relaxed atmosphere of the Par 3 Contest before the Masters begins Thursday is what keeps 13 year Patron Todd Hickingbotham coming back every year.
"The relaxed atmosphere is just great. They are laughing, joking and having fun before Thursday's play," he said.
He said seeing the Masters legends are what make the Wednesday special.
"It's just a great opportunity to see the legends one more time," Hickingbotham said. "These guys have made Augusta and the Masters what it is and what makes it special every year."
Steve Stricker, who may be one of the favorites in this year's Tournament, said he was glad to have the break before the competition.
"You try not to over do it on the last day," Stricker said. "Just play nine holes in the morning and do the Par 3."
Two-time Par 3 Contest winner Padraig Harrington, the reigning British Open champion, turned in his fourth top 10 finish. He said there was nothing to the Par 3 Contest jinx, where a winner at the short course has never won the 72-hole Tournament in the same year.
"I want to be the first to win both in the same year. It can be done and will be done," he said.
Sabbatini will test that theory starting Thursday, but the memories and fun will last at least for another year until the Par 3 Contest convenes again.
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