The Golfing Legend Who Made His Reputation By Simple Courtesies

By Robert McMillan


During our adolescent period, we tend to live with a stress-free life, no pressure, no serious works and even no visible future plans at all, but not with Ben Daniel Crenshaw. He is an American professional golfer at the age of 21 who got his 19 victories on the PGA Tour, including two major battles: The 1984-1995 Masters Tournament. Gentle Ben, as an amateur golfer played at Austin High School and in the University Texas won three awards from 1971-1973 with great skills and knowledge in golfing. Historians commented on several books that Ben achieved his first award with great confidence and roaring spirit to win, and this was his uniqueness from the earlier champions Marty Fleckman (1967), Robert Gamez (1990), Garrett Willis (2001), and Russell Henley (2013).

Not all golfers were blessed with a perfect life - expensive and fashionable cars, palace-like houses, good career status and opportunities and most especially good health and living. This was the major downfall of Ben Crenshaw because he was diagnosed with a disease that calls for a rest and low participation in extensive activities. Armed with routine examination and proper medications, he faced his hyperactive thyroid condition with confidence and peace in 1985.

Losing a battle is a normal circumstance that players can experience. One of those players is no other than Gentle Ben. He lost five championships, dismayed with a sudden- death playoff for the 1979 PGA championship, and received criticisms when his team slipped to a 10-6 deficit in 1999. Another disaster was given to him when he was diagnosed with Grave's disease or a hyperactive thyroid problem which made him weak. However, he proved himself once again by winning several battles in the same year - the 1995 Masters Tournament with his 1 stroke margin of Victory. Previously, he won a 1984 Masters Tournament with Tom Watson as the runner up.

Some contenders faced cruel consequences when they selected Crenshaw as their greatest opponent. One of them was Tom Watson who came closest to catching him. They had a good fight, close scores, roaring spirits, but only one of them succeeded. "This is his first, and I am sure it means a lot to him." Watson was obviously right on that score, but Crenshaw once commented "There will never be a sweeter moment for me than this." Who is the winner based on your instincts?

How gentle is Ben Crenshaw? As his statement clearly stated above, he was as gentle as a tiger when looking for preys, as gentle as warriors when facing battles, as gentle as every golfer who is achieving his success in an upward motion. Gentle Ben is a player who doesn't back off after trials and major disasters in life, but a survivor who still want something to prove and achieve.




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