Around The Commonwealth
Playing the Masters is a huge
milestone for many Tour pros . Lanto Griffin took his first drive down iconic Magnolia
Lane at age 32 last November .
For Griffin , who qualified thanks to his emotional first PGA Tour win in the 2019 Houston Open , he had to wait 395 days from then to tee it up at Augusta in the COVID-delayed 2020 Masters .
“ Four years ago I wasn ’ t sure if I was going to have the money to play anymore ,” Lanto said near the scoreboard on the first hole on Masters Tuesday . “ Now four years later here I am at Augusta . It ’ s a bit of a pipe dream but I know I ’ ve always wanted it bad enough to where I wasn ’ t gonna give up .”
Lanto was the first player at Augusta on Masters Tuesday .
“ I got up at 5 a . m . and was at the course at 5:45 a . m .,” Lanto said . “ I don ’ t think I ’ ve ever been that excited to get up for a practice round .” But this is Augusta National . Friends and family brought plenty of support from back in Blacksburg even if they couldn ’ t be there , including his sister Allian Vosnock .
“ I was so happy for him when I saw his name in the Masters field ,” Allian said .
“ I learned the greens should be a lot faster at a normal Masters and will break way more ,” Griffin said . “ I know I can handle the challenges , my short game is good enough . Also learned that tee to green the course is pretty gettable . I just got in a little funk off the tee , it felt like probably one of the worst ball-striking weeks of the year for me but I feel like the golf course fits my eye pretty well ... that ’ s exciting for years to come .”
And one of the most exciting parts of Augusta , Amen Corner , also stood out . So how did it feel for Griffin to experience it in person ?
“ It ’ s just so different , you watch it on TV and always imagine what it would be like to actually sit there , looking toward that amazing green , then you walk over the bridge and you ’ re right there ,” Griffin said . “ There ’ s a vibe and an electricity at Augusta that you don ’ t really feel on many courses .”
An electricity indeed , but Lanto ’ s journey from Mount Shasta , Calif ., to over two decades in Blacksburg , to his sport ’ s hallowed grounds didn ’ t happen alone . The soft-spoken Griffin remembers many who ’ ve supported him from family to friends .
“ I ’ ve had a lot of people who ’ ve helped me get to where I am , probably 20 people
“ There ’ s a vibe and an electricity at Augusta that you don ’ t really feel on many courses .” — Lanto Griffin
ASSOCIATED PRESS
“ We always knew ( he belonged on the big stage ) but I don ’ t think he always did .”
Vosnock says she “ followed ( Lanto ’ s ) every shot on the Masters app , which was really exciting .”
Griffin ultimately felt disappointed with his play , shooting 74-73 to miss the cut by three . He said it felt like he made the Super Bowl but was down 28-0 at halftime .
“ I was able see video coverage of every swing , it was kind of a kick in the gut watching my swing ,” Griffin said . “ Thankfully my short game held up nicely on some really tough green complexes , so some positives there .”
The VCU grad can ’ t wait to return , in the meantime he ’ s got some takeaways that will help in April . in Blacksburg helped me financially and helped me when my dad ( Michael ) passed away ( age 12 ),” Lanto said . “ My coach Steve Prater is a big one , he ’ s number one . He taught me for 17 years and never charged a dollar , gave me a free membership ( Blacksburg CC ).”
When asked how many lessons he ’ s given Griffin , Prater said simply : “ Too many to count .” As he walked Augusta ’ s storied fairways , Prater felt one constant emotion . “ Just extremely happy for Lanto ,”
Prater said . Griffin views Prater ’ s assistance as critical to his success . “ Zero percent chance I would have played anything if it weren ’ t for him .
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