April 06, 2010

In the skin of the champion

By Por Gastón Saiz . La Nación

Sometimes memory betrays us and we cannot recall recent memories. Among the maelstrom of sport events, memories of Angel Cabrera's victory in 2009 started to vanish four months after the big event. Luckily, the Masters winner is bringing those victory images back. He does it from the Press Conference room, where he watches the exciting playoff with Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell in a big screen. He also recalls his victory moments in the merchandising stores, where they sell pictures of him with a clenched fist. Even the Players Official Guide shows his picture with his winning yellow T-shirt.
At the age of forty and with more than twenty years in the professional arena, Cabrera does not play for the money; he does it all for glory. He is a competitive animal, in the nicest sense of the word. He smiles and plays proudly in Augusta National, being aware of his impeccable pedigree. “In 2009 I took the burden of the Masters off. The pressure is still there, though. Whenever I step in the starting tee and I am aware I am playing that tournament. The first title was the hardest part and it is done".
There are just a few people with him. Everybody he needs is there; he does not need anything else. Far from lab golf players, this Cordoba player prefers the company of those who are functional to his cause, and in this case, family and friends are the most important people. A key person is his youngest son, Angelito, who will be his caddie for the second time in the Masters after his first experience in 2008. On Monday, Cabrera took him to the grove in hole 18, where he miraculously won the playoff. “I took him there to show what I tried to do from there. I explained: «Look, I wanted to hit this way but it went that way». But he did not see the space between the trees and said: «Dad, you are crazy! ». Wearing a white caddie overall, Angelito says: “Dad showed me the root he stepped in to shoot from there, with the idea of going back to the fairway for the third shot. He confessed he was lucky and shot between the trees instinctively, without knowing why”.
Charlie Epps is another fundamental person. The man from Texas is his mentor and a motivating company who taught Cabrera he could be a star like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. “Angel gets to the Masters Tournament the same way he did last year, working very hard. He did well with the putter in the last three tournaments, but the ball did not get into the hole. When he gets it right it will be a different story since the game in the field is always strong”.
During yesterday practice, Epps accompanied Cabrera during the 18 holes.
Silvia Rivadero, Angel Cabrera’s wife is also with him. She is a candidate to act as caddie in the relaxed Par 3 tournament. “I always go with “Pato” to every tournament, except for the last one, it was a shame. I welcomed him back at the airport." There is also another countryman, Héctor Rolotti, the cook Augusta champion chose to prepare Champions' dinner that night. Cabrera and Héctor became good friends when the latter worked in Novecento Restaurant, in Miami Beach, where Cabrera went regularly during PGA Tour. “This is going to be the most important meal in my life. I am very proud of it. Just imagine serving 26 champions and the President of the Club”, says Rolotti. The menu is the following: meat and chicken "empanadas" (pies), beefsteak with potatoes and salad, wine from Mendoza and pancakes with "dulce de leche" (caramel).
Two friends are also important companion for Cabrera in his 11th Augusta Tournament, José Farías and Fernando Auil, whom he met in Agustín, an important city of Calamuchita, Córdoba. They also stay in the same house Cabrera rents in West Lake, fifteen minutes from the club.
Cabrera already knows he will be in the same group with Jim Furyk, whom he beat in 2007 US Open and South Korean record man Byeong-Hun An, a 17-year-old who won 2009 US Amateur . “Last year I said I would not stop until I get five majors. If there is something I have plenty of at this age is thirst for glory and willingness to win important tournaments", says Cabrera, who loves the simplicity of live, his reason to live.