It felt like a dream for the longest time.
He let the thought creep in when he birdied two straight holes to go three up in his semifinal match against Derek Hitchner at the U.S. Amateur. Georgia Southern fifth-year senior Ben Carr tried to swat it away like a Statesboro gnat because the last thing you want to do is get ahead of yourself in that situation.
“As soon as I went a couple up, I think it just creeps into your mind, you just can’t stop thinking about it, and you’re trying so hard to focus on the golf and finishing the match,” he says.
It really started to sink in about a week later, but even then, it is not official until the invitation comes. When December rolled around, he eagerly checked his mailbox daily with the anticipation of a child waiting for Santa Claus. Finally, on Dec. 22, the dream became a reality. Carr was officially invited to play in the 2023 Masters April 6-9.
“It's kind of settling in that it's going to happen, that it's real,” says Carr. “It's always felt like it's super far way, and now it's really close. I'm excited and looking forward to it.”
A native of Columbus, Georgia, Carr earned the invite by finishing runner-up in the U.S. Amateur in August and becomes the fourth Eagle to play in The Masters, joining Jodie Mudd, Buddy Alexander and Gene Sauers. Mudd played in eight Masters with his best finish coming in 1987, when he tied for fourth, a shot back of eventual winner Larry Mize.
Fittingly, it is Mize along with PGA Tour member Russell Henley who have taken Carr under their wing. The trio plans to play two practice rounds this week as well as the Par 3 Contest together Wednesday, with Carr’s younger brother, Sackett, serving as caddie.
“I’m pretty close with Larry Mize and Russell Henley,” says Carr. “They both live in Columbus, so I got to spend a bunch of time with them over the Christmas break and just kind of pick their brains a little bit. Larry’s a Masters champion and Russell is playing in his seventh Masters this year. So between the two of them, they have all the experience in the world and just being able to lean on them and learn as much as I can was really important for me.”
Equally as important is having a veteran on his bag. Carr’s swing coach, Tony Ruggiero, introduced him to Donald Cooper, who spent many years caddying at Augusta National before joining the tour. He has been on the bag at numerous majors, including The Masters.
“He’s been on Lucas Glover’s bag for the better part of 20 years, he’s been on the bag for a major championship, he’s caddied seven or eight Masters, maybe 10,” says Carr. “My swing coach used to train Lucas, and he got pretty close with Coop during their time working together. So, he kind of hooked us up, and I’m really excited because I’m really going to be leaning on him hard.”
Carr’s biggest advantage over the past couple months may very well be his proximity to Augusta. The Georgia Southern campus is 87 miles away from Augusta National, and Carr has been able to play the course multiple times this spring, when conditions are closest to what it will be like tournament week.
“I feel like the biggest thing for me in the three times I’ve been so far, it’s just been learning where not to hit it,” says Carr. “I think there’s a spot or two on every hole you just have to avoid, especially with certain hole locations. Learning where to miss it is a common theme between guys who have had success there. It’s not necessarily about being perfect, but not making the big mistakes. And if you’re able to keep the ball in front of you and miss in the right spots, you roll in a few putts, and you’re making the cut and onto the weekend.”
Carr has many rich memories of watching The Masters. His first was Tiger’s chip in 2005, and he remembers vividly Rory letting his lead slip away on the back nine in 2011. It is surreal to think that he will be competing against those guys this week, but he cannot afford to get caught up in the enormity of playing in the most famous, prestigious and exclusive tournament in golf.
Sure, it’s a dream come true, but the key to Carr’s week will be to stop and smell… well… the Azaleas.
“Obviously, I want to play well,” says Carr. “I want to make the cut, have a chance to be low amateur and all that stuff, but I really just want to have a good experience. I don’t want to get so caught up in playing to where it takes away from how special it is to have the honor of being an amateur playing at the Masters.”
