I Wear the Crown: 2008

Since I am getting old now, I am having a tough time remembering all of the details… I will try my best…

What I remember most was hanging out at Jon Schebler’s house watching the 1997 Masters. Tiger won the tournament by the largest margin of victory (12 strokes) and the lowest total four round score of 270 (18 under par) all while being the youngest player to win The Masters at the age of 21. Pretty crazy to witness for an up and coming golfer. It’s easy to see how someone like this has had the impact on the game like he has. Well, at this point, like everyone else, “I AM TIGER WOODS” was in my mind.

Jenni – I am sure you even had a t-shirt!

Tiger Woods - 1997 Masters Champion

Sean McCauley, the stud golfer for Ankeny, got the first Scotty Cameron I had seen. It was a Scotty Cameron TeI3 Newport Two. This putter was very similar to what Tiger used in the Masters*. I was very impressed. This was the only golf club that I had seen that came with an oil-cloth and had to be wiped down after every round to protect its finish. The putter was high maintenance, but looked different from any other on the market. The fact that I wanted to be like Tiger… and Sean… I needed to get myself a Scotty Cameron to play as good as those guys! (Unfortunately I found there is more to it than the equipment)

Fast forward through the season…

For my birthday that year, Dad and I went to Kinley’s golf shop in Des Moines to pick out a putter. I went straight to the Camerons. I checked them all out, gave them a few putts, and ended up going with the 1997 Scotty Cameron Newport Two Gun Blue. After Tiger won the Masters and with Scotty’s popularity starting to rise, there was a huge “mark-up” in the putter lines. I ended up getting my Gun Blue for the same price the TeI3 (Tiger’s putter) had been selling for originally. Tiger’s putters jumped up to $350+ if I remember correctly (and that was 1997!!!)

It didn’t matter to me which I had… I had got my first great putter… my first Scotty!

I now have the Ping "Blackout" Grip on it that Tiger still uses to this day!

Titleist + Scotty Cameron = Classic

I used this putter full-time from then into my first couple years at GolfZilla. My collection has now grown and I have found a different “gamer” putter, but the original will always be my favorite. I love the memories and story behind the putter. I always pull it out a couple times a year just to give it a few rolls on the course. It keeps me thinking about when golf was my hobby, not my business. It helps keep things in perspective and reminds me why I love the game.

On my 25th birthday today, it is hard to think it has been 11 years since the trip to Kinley’s golf shop. I think it is pretty neat. I’ll never forget that feeling as a young golfer, getting my first “premier” golf club. It was definitely a special moment.

Thanks Dad for making it happen! I will always appreciate it.

*I later found out Tiger specifically used a TeI3 Newport – no sightline – rounded-rails on the back flange compared to “boxy-rails” of my Newport 2 Gun Blue

Last year I purchased a TeI3 “Sole Stamp” Newport identical to what Tiger used in the Masters. I was offered a good price and sent it on its way to someone else. The TeI3 (Teryllium) insert has an extremely soft feel at impact and that unique look with the white dots in the cavity back. I’m sure I will have one again someday! :)

This is what Tiger's putter looked like...

Here it is...
The first post of my Scotty Cameron Collection!

In 2008, I took my Cameron Collecting to the next level and joined

the Scotty Cameron "Club Cameron" group.

The first cover I purchased as a member was the 2008 White Hula Girl cover.
The white covers are always popular and are by far my favorite.

Since 2004, Scotty has released the Hula covers at the beginning of the season to Titleist staffers. These were an instant hit on Tour and amongst collectors.

The 2004 Green Hula cover is highly collectable.
Only 1000 pieces were made and to date,

is the only cover which includes a "Hula Girl" Pivot Tool.

Since 2007, Scotty has thrown in a 100 "Lucky" covers for his members.

I am still looking for my first one! We'll see in 2009!!

Here is the Hula Cover line-up todate...