Winds, aces, croquet, implosions and even a new car made for a dramatic week at the 2016 Masters. Perhaps A-Gust-Ta wind could not even help the defending champion overcome the dramatic scene of the wheels coming off the wagon on the back nine in Sunday’s final round.

For a while, it seemed I could relate to the misfortune as this is a recurrent theme in my game. If it’s placed there, my ball shall come to rest. I thought holes-in-one are rare sites in the game of golf. I know, for the pros, the odds are better – but this many on the same hole! And what about the new side sport at Augusta – croquet. Or should it be billiards with dimpled ball in the corner pocket. Result: ace.

And there was a Smylie on his face after an unexpected remark in a post-round interview resulted in a new set of wheels for Mr. Kaufman. Let me give it a go. I am driving a 2006. No, I better not. And, I hope, CBS should make available on DVD the wonderful Master’s reflection Jim Nantz anchored on the Golden Bear. This should go nicely with my clippings of Jack strolling over the bridge in his final round at The Open several years ago.

Indeed, this was a Masters for some to remember and for some to forget.

Now, back to earth, as I begin the 35th year of the Clubhouse Porch with a freshened look and feel at the Hillcrest Golf Club after last fall’s renovation.

To the casual driver rolling past Rim Drive, we see the hills have come alive on No. 10, and a decided dogleg to boot. New sand traps, with state-of-the-real grainy substance, along with repositioned tee boxes await both the new and seasoned golfers in 2016. To coin an old television commercial with a new twist, “Hey Mikey, I like it!”

Look for upcoming news on the Hillcrest Golf Club Grand Opening on May 18th.

Although the conditions for golfing have improved in the past few weeks, golfing news continued to roll in to this columnist even as I looked out to see late winter and early spring snow flurries. The advance team at the Dalton Ranch Golf Club Women’s Golf Association was busy getting the news out for several tournaments for the upcoming season.

The Dalton Ranch Golf Club 2016 tournament season will kick off April 16th with the annual Hopin’ We’re Open event. The deadline to enter this event is April 14th. Check with the DRGC pro shop for individual tournament details by calling 247-8774. I will have results next week on the HWO. There are 19 scheduled events this season on the Dalton Ranch calendar.

Hillcrest has 17 tournament events in their 2016 brochure, including a name twist on an old favorite and a new event in the fall. The annual Memorial Day weekend event, sponsored by Morehart-Murphy Auto Center with an additional prize purse donation from Shirley Crom-CPA, has revamped the tournament name to Durango City Amateur Championship. The benefits will continue to go to Youth Baseball of La Plata County. In the fall, look for the Fiesta Mexicana Fall Classic-Two Person Best Ball. The annual Todd Sieger Shootout will continue to earmark 10 scheduled tournament events as qualifiers for the October 1st season-ending event for Hillcrest Golf Club members only.

So, as you can see, the itch is there to scratch with plenty of events locally and regionally to get your game and name into Clubhouse Porch.

Dave Bray has covered the local golf scene for 35 years. He can be reached at dbray3571@gmail.com