Danville resident and 2002 San Ramon Valley High graduate MJ Mc Colgan has played many great golf courses. The three-time National Special Olympics Golf Champion and five-time California state champion has played at the Old Course at St. Andrews, Pebble Beach and Ireland’s K Club (site of the 2006 Ryder Cup) to name a few.
As a result of his success, the CEO of Textron, who also owns E-Z-Go, invited MJ to attend the 2006 Masters last week in Augusta, Ga. Like Casey Martin, MJ plays with the use of a golf cart due to being born with a walking disability. When he travels he uses a portable scooter to help him get around. He was allowed to park his scooter on the first tee to watch the best golfers in the world tee off.
At the famed Augusta National each hole is a “signature hole,” named after a flower or tree. Number one is officially named “Tea Olive,” but MJ renamed it “Dreams do come true.” The feeling was electrifying as each golfer began the round trying to win the coveted “Green Jacket” prize.
MJ waited patiently for his hero Tiger Woods to tee off. He was in the second to last group as he was the defending champion and also trying to win his fifth Green Jacket. We know Tiger and it is a pleasure to watch him play. He has a fighting spirit and never gives up. He also seems to be able to handle pressure better than anyone else on the tour. If we had to pick any pro golfer to make a 10-foot putt for a million dollars, we would choose Tiger every time.
When Tiger approached the tee the respectful crowd quietly applauded the No. 1 player in the world. Before he hit, he came over to MJ and gave him one of his Nike golf balls. MJ was all smiles and told Tiger “to win another one for his ailing dad,” who is battling cancer. The crisp crackling sound when Tiger hits a ball is penetrating to one’s ears. Tiger hit a towering drive nearly 300 yards and to the left of the bunker on the uphill dog leg right hole. After the shot, MJ smiled at Tiger and gave him a thumbs-up signal.
Tiger came up a little short of defending his title and finished 3 strokes behind winner Phil Mickelson. However, the “special” ball will have a cherished spot among MJ’s many gold medals, reminding him that “Dreams do come true.” •
