Where were you in '86?

[cardoustie]

Grade 13, 5 months away from going to university, watched at my parents place 

[Awsi Dooger]

I was in Las Vegas, running around betting sports. It was such an awesome era. Every casino had a new independent sportsbook and they didn't communicate with each other at all. Totally blind. Therefore I could dash around town in my little Datsun and pick off one great number after another. Plus the sportsbooks were run by former bookmakers who thought they knew something. They'd throw ridiculous props on the board, based on subjectivity alone. Sometimes it was impossible to laugh. That's how far off they could be, when not reliant on power ratings.

 

I have no idea how the guys in that town do it these days. They actually have to pick winners...instead of relying on math and mistakes.

 

Anyway, I had maybe 20 Masters matchups wagers, per norm. That year doesn't stand out in terms of how I fared, so it must have been mostly a wash. The sportsbooks only offered matchups on the majors in those years. The Imperial Palace was first to offer golf matchups every week...beginning fall 1989.

 

I went back home to watch the golf. Three bedroom apartment on Koval Lane not far from Tropicana golf course. I rooted for Seve because I had matchup wagers on him. Once he dunked it on 15 I was initially shocked. Last thing I wanted was Seve to blow it and Norman or Kite to win. So I switched to Nicklaus. Obviously 16 was awesome, then the putt on 17. For whatever reason I had confidence Norman would blow it on 18. But I sweated Kite on 18 earlier.

 

Following the golf I went back onto the Strip and specifically Little Caesar's casino. Small joint not affiliated with the pizza chain. It sat on the current site of Paris Las Vegas in a small dusty Strip mall. Gene Mayday was taking the biggest sports action in town at Little Caesar's. That joint remains legendary among people those who were in town at the time. Mayday saw me and called me to the counter. He knew I bet golf. Mayday had the Masters odds on the manual betting board. A big CLOSED sign was up there, diagonally across the golf listings. They had booked to win only. No matchups. Pre tournament only. Adjusted golf odds didn't exist in those days. 

 

I checked the Nicklaus closing odds...40/1. Mayday said, "We took some action on him. " He seemed pleased by that, for whatever reason. 

[gvogel]

3 Berkley Place.  My daughter was 2, my son had not been born yet.  Had a friend over, a club champion, and he had tears in his eyes at one point.  I was a Watson fan.

 

My appreciation of what a special person Jack is, came later in life.

[TerpFangolfer]

I was 22...watched with grandpa (who taught me golf) & other family members.

he was a big Arnie guy, but like many he had come around on Jack.

Was a great afternoon...

Edited October 17, 2020 by TerpFangolfer

[MUNIGRIT]

Honestly I have no clue. 

[gvogel]

On 3/23/2020 at 8:58 AM, averysdad said:

I was almost the ripe old age of 11 and was probably heading to baseball practice. I used to laugh at my dad when he’s go play golf as he has those old school brogues with the giant lace protecting flap. But 86 is when I first started to be intrigued by golf as my dad would take me on occasion to the course. I was more intrigued by driving the cart then but Something about the sound of those metal spikes was magical then....even in those fugly shoes.

those flaps were called kilties.  And I am embarrassed to say that I had golf shoes like that.

[tw_focus]

I don't recall were I was in '86, but I do recall where I was for the masters in 1997 and in 2019.

[chipa]

407 Parachute Riggers, Kaiserslautern West Germany.  Even though I didn't play golf until I was 30 I watched it growing up with my dad, especially the majors, but I believe I missed most of them while I was in the Army as I never had my own personal TV. The day I turned 30 I promptly started playing golf, after all it was for old guys

[gvogel]

On 10/5/2020 at 7:03 PM, Christosterone said:

Can you explain for the uninitiated?

[Man_O_War]

i was cheering for NIcklaus..had i known he would have some of the views he shares..i would have blown his ball into some creek

[Divot License]

I'm too young to remember (2 year old) but apparently I was asleep on the sofa next to may Dad while he watched it unfold. 

[third-times-a-charm]

I was not born yet.

[Socrates]

20 hours ago, Man_O_War said:

i was cheering for NIcklaus..had i known he would have some of the views he shares..i would have blown his ball into some creek

Agreed.  I think I'll go toss the '86 tape in the garbage now.  Along with my respect for him.

[bscinstnct]

Smoking dope and drinking wine.

 

 

No, wait, that was in

 

 

[Fairway14]

I was looking at a television set watching the greatest player of all time win his 18th major championship.

[JDennis]

I was 6, stayed the weekend with my aunt and uncle (who played golf competitively). First time watching golf with my uncle. Didn't understand what I was watching, but my uncle was excited and I was hooked. He bought me a set of Junior clubs for my Birthday that year.