Augusta National

In 1983 I made my first trip to Augusta National. I was to meet
Hord Hardin, the club chairman, to get his approval to become the
first person to map the course.

I sat on an L-shaped couch with Dave Spencer and Bob Kletcke, the
co-head pros, and Jim Armstrong, the general manager, while Mr.
Hardin sat at his desk scrutinizing one of my books from another
course. It was dead silent until Mr. Hardin suddenly lifted his
head and asked, "What does J.I.C.Y.R.F.U. stand for?"

Dave and Bob looked at each other nervously. Finally, Dave said,
"Well, Mr. Hardin, it means 'Just in case you really f--- up.'"

After a pause Mr. Hardin smiled and said wryly, "Oh, we are
definitely going to leave that out of our book, aren't we?"

My favorite part of the job is mapping 12, the Golden Bell,
because it's the greatest hole on earth. You could write a book
about 12's challenges, but the biggest ones are the green--the
shallowest on Tour--and the swirling winds that funnel through
the pines in sudden and mysterious ways. A pro might swing a
seven-iron because he feels a two-club wind in his face, but a
midswing wind shift could cause his ball to sail 40 yards long.

*For 28 years--the last eight with his dog, Squeaky--Gorjus
George has crisscrossed the U.S. drawing the yardage books used
by the pros at Tour events.

COLOR PHOTO: TODD BIGELOW/AURORA (LUCAS)

B/W DIAGRAM: DIAGRAM BY GEORGE LUCAS No. 12 N Par-3 N 155 Yards