Locals hit the links after watching Masters

The 2011 Masters was one of the best in the tournament’s history, exciting local golfers who took to golf courses on Monday to practice their game.

Randy Rea, a CU student and golf fan, was one of the many at Coal Creek Golf Course trying to perfect his swing.

“I love playing golf. I love to come out here to the range and hit some balls, but especially after watching the Masters. You just get motivated and you want to go out and have fun.”

The high level of play during the Masters was enough to please golf fans. For those in Colorado, it means the first time they have been able to play golf since the end of fall.

Matt Butterfield, a CU student from Arizona, isn’t used to not playing golf for months.

“Living in Arizona you’re able to go golfing whenever you want. In the winters you can do it every single day. I lived on a golf course, but now [living in Colorado] you get five months off, you lose the buzz about it, but after watching the Masters you get the hype back. I want to be the next Tiger Woods.”

It’s no secret that all golfers wish they could play like Tiger, but for those who watched the Masters know they are far more likely to play like 21-year-old Irishman Rory McIlroy, who imploded on the last nine holes to lose the tournament.

“It’s kind of fun to see how even professionals are human sometimes because what they do on the golf course is so amazing. To see them go triple, bogey, double bogey in three consecutive holes and put up a scorecard that I would turn in. It’s pretty funny to see,” Rea said.

In the meantime, golfers can try to emulate the swings of their favorite professionals, but don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t go well. Just ask Rory. He’s on the PGA Tour, and on Sunday he looked like just an average golfer.