A family Masters connection

Our family friend Davis Love, Jr. was a college classmate and fellow golf team member at UT in the 1950s with father Ed.  Davis was from the little town of El Dorado, Arkansas and made it to Austin where he played for 3 years before moving on as an early adopter of the pro golf lifestyle, right about the time of the Palmer Era when things changed

Davis made it to the quarterfinals of the US Amateur which at that time allowed for an invitation to the Masters.  Ed recalls that they were in college when this happened.  A famous story is that on the 9th hole which is sloped very steeply back to front, Davis was short, and then hit over the green.  On the 4th shot he hit and the ball rolled across the green further than where he was after the 2nd shot.  As he then put it, he chipped on the green and 3 putted for an 8.

http://www.augusta.com/masters/historic/players/hbh/1955_hbh12270.shtml

Davis was on the PGA tour off and on in the 1960s and played in the Masters at least another time.  Ed recalls that Davis invited him to come play a practice round but Ed couldn't get away.  Truly one that got away.

http://www.augusta.com/masters/historic/players/hbh/1964_hbh12270.shtml

Davis was a fine golf instructor and gave me many lessons over the years.  The most memorable was in my backyard.  A week later I went and shot my best round every.

Davis died untimely in 1988 in a plane crash at the young ago of 53.  That's him on the left.  His son Davis Love III of course has gone on to a fine PGA tour career and won a major in 1997, the PGA Championship.