AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The first time he came to the Masters, Ben Crenshaw was a 20-year-old University of Texas golfer in awe of Augusta National, the Masters and all that came with being at such a place.
He also had long, sandy hair, which led Crenshaw, now 63, to a story as he stood under the towering oak tree Sunday behind the clubhouse. It involved Clifford Roberts, the co-founder and longtime chairman of the club.
"Mr. Roberts ... he just reeled me in," Crenshaw recalled. "He had a great voice, a monotone. And he said, 'Texans have done really well in this tournament. Jackie Burke. Jimmy Demaret. Byron Nelson. Ben Hogan.' He said, 'I spent a little time in Texas. Sold a few oil leases, sold some clothes. And by the way, we have a barber shop on the grounds.' Just like that, reeled me in."
Crenshaw will likely be reminiscing and telling many stories this week as he plays in his final Masters. The course has gotten too long and demanding for the two-time Masters champion who oozes golf history. Sunday was a day for some of that, with the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship, member play and practice rounds taking place.
It might also be the final time here for his longtime caddie, Carl Jackson, who began caddying in the Masters in 1961 and will work a 39th Masters for Crenshaw this week.
"I'm a little melancholy," Crenshaw said. "I've spent more than half my life here. It's meant so much to all of us. I think the great thing for all the champions, they don't forget. They treat the champions ... the special feeling that we receive from the people is wonderful."
Crenshaw has played in every Masters beginning with the 1972 tournament, winning in 1984 and 1995 and posting a total of 11 top-10 finishes including eight in the top five.
The most poignant, of course, came 20 years ago, when at age 43, and struggling with his game, Crenshaw managed his second major victory, just a few days after the death of his longtime teacher, Harvey Penick.
"I've never gone into a week like this," Crenshaw said. "Somebody said to [wife] Julie, what are you all going to do next year? After 44 of them ... We'll just have to wait and see about all this, but we'll keep coming back."
So will Jackson, although he is unsure if he will caddie again in the Masters or not. Just 14 when he started in 1961 with 1931 U.S. Open champion Billy Burke, Jackson, 67, has seen plenty of change, including the Masters rescinding its local-caddies-only rule in the early 1980s.
He began working for Crenshaw here in 1975 and missed just one year due to surgery. Jackson even caddied for Crenshaw on the PGA Tour for a time.
"All of it has been special," said Jackson, who also carried the bag for the likes of Gary Player, Deane Beman, Bruce Devlin and Steve Melnyk. "This is bittersweet. It feels like all I've done for a lifetime. It's going to be a bittersweet week. I guess Father Time is telling me it's time."
That was apparent to Crenshaw, who marveled at the skills of some of those participating in the Drive, Chip & Putt Championship that was taking place at Augusta National.
He told a story about how he and his brother, Charlie -- whom he was to play a practice round with on Sunday afternoon -- got started playing golf at around age 8 or 9.
"These kids look like they've been at it for much longer," said Crenshaw, who wore his green jacket while presiding over the prize presentation to the girls' 7 to 9 age group.
As for that first visit 43 years ago ...
Did Crenshaw take the hint given by Roberts, the Augusta chairman, about getting his hair cut?
"I went and did it immediately," he said.