The fact that COVID-19 had forced the PGA TOUR to host events without fans has made all of us realize how much fun it was to attend tournaments in person.

Some of my favorite memories are going to tournaments like the Western Open with my family every summer growing up outside Chicago. The hot days walking around Butler National watching the likes of Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus compete in my hometown are the things that made me want to work in golf.

Many times, over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to take my kids to the 3M Championship. My wife and I worked at Innisbrook in the Tampa area when the resort hosted the JC Penney Classic. I was even able to attend the RSM Classic on St. Simon’s Island, GA with my youngest daughter (an aspiring golfer herself) and two of my nephews last November.

Perhaps the greatest memory is of my older brother, my father and I attending The Masters.

In today’s world, we can no longer (at least for now) make those types of memories. It got me thinking. If I could go back in time and attend some of the greatest moments in golf history, which would I pick?

So, here is my list of the Top 3 moments (Top 10 is already copywritten so that’s out) in golf history I wish I could have witnessed live.

#3 – The War on the Shore

The Ryder Cup on Kiawah Island perhaps single handedly had more impact on how the event is conducted today than any other match. The course was new to most viewers. The Europeans were starting to make this biannual event more competitive. And it went down to the final putt.

To be on the 18^th green when Bernhard Langer stood over that final putt… that would have been amazing. The silence only disrupted by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the sand. Those in attendance have described the atmosphere as so thick you could almost taste it. Then David Feherty admitted later that an inadvertent bodily function at the most inappropriate time may have actually cost the Euro’s the Cup.

That would have been fun.

#2 – The Collapse at Carnoustie

The 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie, when all Jean van de Velde only needed a double bogey on the 72^nd hole to become one of the most improbable Major Champion in history. Instead, he caught the worst possible break hitting a spot on the grandstand about the size of a dime, sending Jean into history for all the wrong reason.

OK, many will say that his choice to hit driver off the tee was his biggest mistake. And sure… the scene in the Barry Burn will be etched into all of our memories; trousers rolled up, waiting to make a decision all the while the tide was rolling in making his choice for him. The reality is, he hit the only spot on the grandstand that could cause him to lose the lead. A one in a million chance, just like his chances of winning.

To be there to witness it all… wow.

#1 – Moe Norman At The Masters

The legendary Canadian ball striker only participated in two Masters Tournaments. The 1956 Masters, Norman received his first invitation as the Canadian Amateur Champion. Now much of Moe’s only two appearances at Augusta have gone from half-truths to myths, but this one is true. After his opening round where he was hitting the ball with his usual excellence, he was well back due to poor putting.

At the range after his second round, Sam Snead offered him advice on one particular part of his swing with long irons. Norman, so obsessed with getting better, spent several hours trying to implement Snead’s suggestion. The next day, Norman withdrew after 9 holes of round 3. His hands were so raw from hitting balls the night before, he could not continue.

I wish I was there just to tell him to trust his swing. Years later when I worked for Natural Golf, I had the opportunity to be at The Masters. Sandy Lyle was endorsed by Natural Golf. I was charged with having Sandy sign a Masters flag for an investor. As he was signing, Snead walked up and asked if he could sign the flag too. You could tell in Snead’s voice he felt some sense of responsibility for Norman never making it big on the PGA TOUR. Several days later, Sam Snead passed away.

I should also go back in time and tell myself to buy two flags. The day Snead died; I sent the flag to the investor. That is a missed opportunity. By the way… that was the same year I attended The Masters with my father and brother. Hindsight is 20-20.