Masters begins Thursday
AUGUSTA, Ga., April 10 (UPI) -- The Masters, where history and tradition have been held in highest regard for generations, gets underway for the 66th time Thursday. On this occasion, however, the air is filled with the unmistakable winds of change.
The azaleas, dogwoods and pines still line the fairways, although the flowering shrubs are past their peak this year. The huge oak tree behind the clubhouse still serves as a meeting place for people who see each other just once a year. And Magnolia Lane continues to beckon those who follow in the footsteps of the sport's legends.
But Jack Nicklaus, six times a winner of the Masters, will not be playing --- his back having given way to the ravages of countless golf swings. Speculation is rampant that Arnold Palmer may be making his last competitive appearance at the Augusta National Golf Club.
Although past champions receive an invitation for life, the current chairman of the tournament asked three of them not to play this year. One of them, 1967 champion Gay Brewer, was so upset that he refused to take part in the past champion's dinner.
Instead of Nicklaus, the 21st Century golf fan will be able to watch Charles Howell III. Instead of Brewer, there will be Matt Kuchar. There will be no Doug Ford, but there will be Kevin Sutherland. And rather than Billy Casper, the winner of three major championships and one of truly great players of his time, it will be possible to watch Adam Scott, Niclas Fasth or Toru Taniguchi.
Not only are the faces changing, the playing field has undergone the most extensive rennovation in the tournament's history. In an attempt to offset the technological onslaught that makes 300-yard drives routine rather than unique, half the holes at the Augusta National have been lengthened.
"It takes us a while to make a decision down here," Masters chairman Hootie Johnson said on the eve of the tournament. "But the rapid pace of change has kind of speeded up our decision-making process."
After Sam Snead hits a ceremonial tee shot at 8:20 a.m. EDT Thursday, 89 players will begin play in the opening round.
For the first time, the Masters will have all of the top 50 players in the world rankings. Thirty-seven of the competitors are from somewhere other than the United States, equaling a tournament record. And 38 of those in the field have won at least one major title.
Indy installs "soft walls"
INDIANAPOLIS, April 10 (UPI) -- In a major step toward safety, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has announced the installation of "soft wall" technology for this year's Indianapolis 500.
A long-time research and development project with the University of Nebraska has produced a soft wall padding that will be installed in the outside turns of the 2.5-mile speedway.
This is a result of a long-time project between the Indy Racing League and NASCAR with the University of Nebraska in an effort to reduce impact in the event of a crash.
The soft wall padding is currently being installed at Indianapolis in an effort to improve safety for the 86th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Rush to test NBA draft
COLUMBIA, Mo., April 10 (UPI) -- Missouri junior swingman Kareem Rush is expected to announce he will declare for the NBA draft.
However, indications are that the 6-6 Rush does not plan to hire an agent and will only stay in the June 26 draft if NBA scouts project him as a lottery pick, which is among the top 13 selections.
A lefthander with impressive shooting range, Rush averaged 19.8 points last season and helped Missouri advance to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, where the Tigers lost to Big 12 Conference rival Oklahoma.
Rush averaged a Big 12-best 21.1 points as a sophomore and his career average of 18.9 points in 84 games is second best in school history to Derrick Chievous' 19.9 scoring average from 1985-88.
The deadline is May 12 for underclassmen to enter the draft. Rush has until June 19 to withdraw his name as long as he does not hire an agent.
Rod Dowhower retires from NFL
PHILADELPHIA, April 10 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Rod Dowhower announced his retirement today after a 36-year coaching career.
The Eagles promoted quarterbacks coach Brad Childress to offensive coordinator.
Dowhower, 59, spent 21 seasons in the NFL with eight teams, including the last three with Philadelphia. He was a head coach with the Indianapolis Colts and earned a Super Bowl ring as a quarterbacks coach with the Washington Redskins in 1991.
Andy Reid named Dowhower as his coordinator one day after taking over as Eagles coach in 1999.
Dowhower served as an assistant with the St. Louis Cardinals (1973), Arizona Cardinals (1982-84), Denver (1980-81), Atlanta (1987-89), Washington (1990-93), Cleveland (1994), the New York Giants (1997-98) and Philadelphia. He also served as a head coach at Stanford in 1979 and at Vanderbilt from 1995-96.
