UGA’s Haack ‘exhausted with jubilation’ after watching Bubba Watson win Masters
UGA golf coach Chris Haack (middle) with UGA alums Angie and Bubba Watson during the UGA Stadion Classic in Athens in April 2011. (Photo by Bulldawg Illustrated)
ATHENS – Bubba Watson wasn’t the only one shedding tears of joy after the UGA graduate tapped in a one foot putt to win the 76th Masters golf tournament. One hundred miles away, Georgia golf coach Chris Haack and his longtime assistant Jim Douglas ended up in a tearful embrace in the living room of Haack’s Bogart home.
Haack, Douglas, some of Georgia’s current and former players and some extended family from Roanoke, Va., gathered there to watch the final round of the Masters on Easter Sunday. With Watson, a 2000-2001 Bulldog letterman, starting the day three shots off the lead, it began as a casual hope-fest. But when Watson bagged victory on the second playoff hole, it ended in a full-fledged bark-a-thon.
“It was pretty intense; it was crazy; a great time,” said Haack, his voice still hoarse and raw with emotion an hour after Watson slipped on the green jacket. “There was a whole bunch of us here and, needless to say, we were rooting pretty hard for Bubba. I was tearing up, too. I think anytime you see one of your guys do something great and see how it affects him and how emotional he was, it immediately made me get emotional.
“You’re just so happy to see things work out, it just kind of exhausts you with jubilation. It’s just unbelievable.”
With the victory, Watson becomes the first UGA golfer to win a major championship. Chip Beck, who was runner-up to Bernhard Langer in the 1993 Masters, was previously the closest.
“I’m so happy for Bubba and that finally a Dawg has arrived at the top at the Masters,” said Beck via text message Sunday night. “It was long overdue and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. I was truly impressed with his Christian expression of faith in the awards ceremony. I’m proud to have met him.”
Haack said he thought the best thing that happened to Watson on Sunday was seeing his playing partner, Louis Oosthuizen, make just the fourth double eagle in Masters history right in front of him on the second hole.
“When he did that, Bubba knew immediately how many how many back he was and that he couldn’t play cautious,” Haack said. “It’s a whole different mentality than if you’re playing with a lead. He knew right away he had to just play golf, to just play his game. It probably helped him playing with Louis.”
Actually, the point at which Haack felt the most confidence in Watson was at the point everyone else was most doubtful. After Watson hooked his drive to end up deep in the woods to the right of the No. 10 fairway, Haack and Douglas looked at each other and smiled.
“When they showed the camera angle with that gap we both said, ‘he’s got this,’” Haack said with a laugh. “If there’s something Bubba can do, he can hook a wedge or 9-iron with the best of them. If anything he probably prefers that shot to sitting in the middle of the fairway. He loves to see the ball curve. To HAVE to make it curve, that’s right in his wheelhouse! We were just hoping he picked the right club and didn’t hit it over the green.”
Watson hit the 164-yard shot almost perfectly. It spun sideways to about 10 feet below the hole, where he was able to two-putt for victory.
Watson is married to UGA women’s basketball letterman Angie Ball, who remained home in Florida with their newly-adopted baby boy, Caleb. Afterward, in the Butler Cabin with Jim Nance of CBS and Masters chairman Billy Payne, Watson was asked if he had fulfilled a lifelong dream.
“I never got this far in my dreams,” he said, choking back tears.
Haack said a truer statement never has been spoken.
“That sounds like Bubba,” he said. “Bubba has always said, ‘I’d like to win 10 or 12 tournaments.’ I don’t think he’s really ever thought about the significance of doing something like this.”
Watson’s major championship capped off what has been a pretty good run for Bulldogs in the pros of late. Watson and UGA alum Chris Kirk both carded wins on the PGA Tour this past year; Russell Henley, Erik Compton and Harris English all won on the Nationwide Tour in 2011; and English has had four Top-20 finishes on the PGA Tour this year.
But this was another thing altogether. Watson won world golf’s biggest stage with a Georgia “G” logo on his golf bag. Fans barked “woof, woof, woof” and yelled “Go Dogs” all day from behind the gallery ropes. And the first words out of Watson’s mouth at the green jacket presentation ceremony were, “to all my fans, you got to say, ‘Go Dogs.’”
It left Haack bursting with pride.
“I think it means a lot,” Haack said. “Anytime the University’s name gets mentioned in the forefront of anything good with any of our alums, it’s a great thing. It’s the same thing when Hines Ward is the MVP of the Super Bowl or anything like that. When one of your people stands out head and shoulders above the rest, that’s a point of pride for the entire university. I’m sure all over this country and in different parts of the world where there are Georgia alums, everybody is feeling a little bit of pride watching one of their own put on the green jacket.”
Haack still had not had a chance to talk yet with his former pupil late Sunday night. He just sent him a text message shortly after the din in his den subsided.
“All I said was, ‘I’m very proud of you. Fatherhood just got a little sweeter.’”
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86 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
April 9th, 2012
12:09 pm
Like I said, We got it. We completely understand what it was that you were saying, the first time. No need in re-stating it.
GTBob
April 9th, 2012
12:12 pm
Like I said, We got it. We completely understand what it was that you were saying, the first time. No need in re-stating it.
Then don’t respond with your own made up assumptions that turned out to be incorrect.
GTBob
April 9th, 2012
12:20 pm
beanster, breast cancer awareness is the reason for the pink driver.
Actually it goes further then that. For every drive Bubba Watson has over 300 yards with the pink driver, Ping donates 300 dollars to charity. It is actually a pretty cool charitable promotion.
DAWGMAN
April 9th, 2012
12:21 pm
I was very impressed with Mr. Watson both as a golfer and as an example of the many fine young graduates Georgia sends out into the world. It would be great to see him walk out to the 50 yard line at Sanford Stadium and be recognized on a fall Saturday afternoon as the world champion golfer he is.
piermontdawgny
April 9th, 2012
12:40 pm
this is the beginning of The Year of the Dawg!
now let’s go win us the BCS Championship in Miami!!!
how ’bout ‘em!!!
Steven Smith
April 9th, 2012
1:04 pm
Great win for Bubba, and for golfers with dreams! I’m a little surprised at the ” Go Dawgs” comment though, knowing a little about his problems with the golf program. But, great win!
GT
April 9th, 2012
1:05 pm
Georgia has found a great spokesman in Bubba and Billy Payne. Job well, well done and its not just the winning as Tiger has shown us. Bubba seems to have gotten it together long before this golf thing happened. No billboard in the world could advertise UGA better than this. As a Jacket my hat in fully off in respect of doing it right.
JRHD
April 9th, 2012
1:10 pm
DIEHARD DAWG FAN, but I have to admit I cheered everytime Kuchar hit a good shot yesterday. That guy is as classy as they come. Some of you peeps on here need to understand that just b/c someone has a “G” or a “GT” on their bag doesn’t mean we all can’t get behind them. Who would you rather pull for, Kuchar, Watson or Woods? Who would you rather your son emulate on and off the course? I would be proud to have my son act like Matt or Bubba or several of the young up and coming stars on Tour (Ben Crane, Hunter Mahan). These guys act like they know they are being watched and comport themselves civilly. A lot of the people on this board could learn a lesson.
Terry
April 9th, 2012
1:50 pm
GTBob, Most golfers are nobodies, before they start winning! I guess you followed Tiger, and Mickelson, before they became famous Golfers? You are one pitiful individual, with no life outside of these blogs, that is really the sad part about you, and your Jealous of everything UGA, you really need to get some professional help. Pitiful, Just Pitiful
GTBob
April 9th, 2012
2:01 pm
Who would you rather pull for, Kuchar, Watson or Woods?
Woods.
Ed
April 9th, 2012
2:04 pm
Bubba’s a strange dude – growling and shouting one moment, sobbing and praising the Lord the next. But he’s also a Masters champion…and a Georgia Bulldog!
GTBob
April 9th, 2012
2:04 pm
I guess you followed Tiger, and Mickelson, before they became famous Golfers?
I followed them in the early stage of their careers and became a fan as they continued to play great golf. Either way it had nothing to do with where they went to college. I actually have no idea where Mickelson went to college. The only reason I know Tiger’s college is because he was on the sideline at a Stanford football game.
Sam
April 9th, 2012
2:12 pm
Bubba you are a great talent who will probably win another major or two sometime in your career. For future reference, please tip your cap to the fans giving you and your playing partner a standing O as you walk up the 18th fairway.
GTBob, Mickelson attended Arizona State and won a couple of national titles there.
GTBob
April 9th, 2012
2:26 pm
GTBob, Mickelson attended Arizona State and won a couple of national titles there.
Good for him. Nobody cares, including Arizona St fans.
Sam
April 9th, 2012
2:35 pm
“Good for him. Nobody cares, including Arizona St fans.”
GTBob, being a nerd and a jerk is no way to go through life (apologies to Dean Vernon Wormer)
GTBob
April 9th, 2012
3:27 pm
GTBob, being a nerd and a jerk is no way to go through life (apologies to Dean Vernon Wormer)
I am just being honest. Do you think a lot of people care about college golf? If college golf went away completely would anyone care?
UGA Insider
April 9th, 2012
3:32 pm
Wish Billy Payne were the the UGA Pres.
Sam
April 9th, 2012
3:45 pm
“Do you think a lot of people care about college golf?”
No.
“If college golf went away completely would anyone care?”
Yes, some people would care. College golfers, their coaches, and the families and friends of both would probably take notice. But I don’t think the anguish would be too widespread.
You’re really planting your flag on this issue. What’s the source of your anti-college golf views – did you get cut from the Tech golf team?
Otherwise, it looks like you are really bothered by the fact that the newest Masters champion is a UGA alum. Which would suggest that, your statements to the contrary, where someone played their college golf means a lot to you.
Relax, you’ll always have Bobby Jones.
jsmooth
April 9th, 2012
3:45 pm
GT Bobette:
What is wrong with you other than being a typical Tech fan? Are your panties too tight? Man, I would have pulled for Matt Kuchar as he represents himself and his school very well. How many golf tournaments did you attend while Kuchar was at Tech. Get a life and realize this is more than Tech vs. UGA!
AltamahaDawg
April 9th, 2012
4:02 pm
The fact that Bob refered to our remarks as “gloating” tells you all you need to know about the source of the point he is trying to pretend to be making.
GTBob
April 9th, 2012
4:02 pm
You’re really planting your flag on this issue. What’s the source of your anti-college golf views – did you get cut from the Tech golf team?
It’s not really anti college golf, I am just realistic about the fact that it is a side sport at best similar to women’s lacrosse. Nobody knows it exists until someone several years later wins a pro golf tournament. Then they beat their chests about it.
GTBob
April 9th, 2012
4:05 pm
How many golf tournaments did you attend while Kuchar was at Tech.
None, which is why I don’t pretend to root for Kuchar.
AltamahaDawg
April 9th, 2012
4:15 pm
No of cource you are not anti-college golf. Why would you be? That was never the point. You are obviously intentionally clouding the larger topic, by belaboring a very insignificant point.. This is not a discussion about college Golf. Or its popularity.
This is about Bubba Watson, a former Bulldawg golfer, winning the Masters. The Masters is quite popular.
30326Dogs
April 9th, 2012
9:29 pm
Bubba willl be on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tuesday night @ 9 pm
Sautee Dawg
April 9th, 2012
10:04 pm
GT Sponge Bob.
Who cares who you pull for in any sporting event? We as Dawg fans were rooting for Bubba Watson. And most of us according to the above posts were hoping Matt kuchar came in close too, which he did.
And yes some of us did actually attend some golf tournaments played by Watson. We also saw Bubba Watson get to help Coach Andy Landers in a girls basketball game this season,
Bubba Watson and Andy Landers had a bet, Watson bet Landers he could tee off from the goal post in the West endzone and drive the ball out of Sanford Stadium, if so Landers would let Watson be an assistant coach for a game. Guess what? Watson’s tee shop went out over the East endzone with plenty of room to spare. You can see it on youtube. Or yo could if it hasn’t been taken off.
GT Sponge Bob, you can kick UGA and it’s fans all you want.
What really stings for you is the fact that Billy Payne a UGA Grad, and Chairman of the Masters congradulates the winner Bubba Watson another UGA Grad. for winning the Masters. That’s kinda sweet for all us Dawg fans whether your a football fan or a golf fan.
Snoop Dawg
April 9th, 2012
10:47 pm
Snoop Dawg is proud that Bubba Watson is a Dawg. A DGD. Guess what? Every student at UGA has a couple of bones to pick while in Athens. So what? The goodwill he created on Sunday for UGA is orders of magnitude greater than the sum total of whatever Richt could ever hope for in life.
The difference is that Bubba Watson is a winner. Bubba is a true Dawg…
UGA sports needs more Bubba Watsons and Suzanne Yoculans and less Mark Richts and Mike Bobos…
MaconDawg
April 10th, 2012
12:40 am
Absolutely, I am proud that Bubba won and proud that he attended UGA. That doesn’t mean I was pulling against Kucher or Stewart Cink earlier in the week. I love UGA but after the eligabilty is exhausted I can root for any of the “home boys”. Matt Kucher had one whale of a tournament and I am proud to say I (a Dawg) can root for him. He is a class act too. Thank you Bobby Jones for having the vision to start the greatest tourmanment in golf. You have a Tech man that “engineered” it and a UGA guy running it. Shouldn’t we ALL be proud?
slobodan
April 10th, 2012
6:30 am
If Bubba would have been at a stage where he played good, scoring golf at Georgia, he would have had a bigger role on the team. At the time, he had a lot to learn about his golf and life. He acknowleges that. It just so happens that the UGA course was designed by Alistair McKenzie; same designer as Augusta National. UGA is a great place (with a great golf course) for young golfers to practice and play; and Bubba got to do that at Georgia.
Fair n Balanced
April 10th, 2012
7:08 am
I promise not to judge Georgia Tech and GT fans by GTBob.
Father A. Long
April 10th, 2012
8:33 am
The Bulldog Nation was pulling for Watson. Kuchar’s dad was pulling for him.
Gulf Shores Dawg
April 10th, 2012
8:48 am
Bubba, the Dawg Nation is so very proud of you!
RxDawg
April 10th, 2012
9:04 am
That was cool to watch. And I hate golf. In fact, I didn’t realize Bubba was the same guy from UGA at first. I knew we had a good golfer that went pro, but I didn’t keep up with it that much. When I noticed how much the crowd was pulling for him, I finally asked “what was that UGA golfers name again?”. Someone told me that guy right there Bubba. I was a fan then. When he hooked that shot out of the woods right on the green to set up the win… yeh I see great things for that Bulldog! Congrats Bubba!
DawgsRKneds
April 10th, 2012
9:05 am
slobodan: Alister McKenize did NOT design the UGA Golf Course. Robert Trent Jones did and Davis Love III redesigned it a few years ago
RxDawg
April 10th, 2012
9:05 am
Oh, and congrats to the Tech guy that came in 3rd. That’s pretty darn cool I think. State of GA representing!
AltamahaDawg
April 10th, 2012
2:30 pm
Bob, I am guessing the folks at the office are NOT inviting you back to watch the olympics with them ever again after the – “put those silly American flags down and stop gloating, you’ve never even been to any of Phelps’ swim meets.” – incident.
Hale Choi
April 11th, 2012
8:09 pm
Love UGA Love Bubba !!