The Feathery (26 page)

Matt gave him a bear hug that lifted Scott off the green. The caddie whooped his praise. "Scott Beckman, you’ve just won the Masters! The green jacket is really yours."

The crowd parted to allow a lady to run toward him with her arms reaching out ready to hug. Her large brown eyes look up at his. Scott laughed…She cried…before she also laughed. Their victory embrace lived up to the expectations of those in the gallery and millions more watching on television. After receiving congratulations from the other players and caddies in his group, Scott headed on a path lined with cheering friends and fans toward the officials who would check his scorecard.

A Georgia state trooper allowed a large black man with hair as white as snow to step over the ropes in front of Scott. He laughed as he reached for Scott’s hand. It was Kyle Ross, the San Diego detective who’d brought him to El Camino Country Club and Sandy McNair. Scott pulled Ross toward him and surrounded his neck with both arms. Ross’ laugh was louder as tears began to well up in Scott’s eyes.

When he reached the first step of the official’s building, Diane Beckman came forward. She kissed her son on the cheek. "Congratulations on your win." She gestured toward the three men lurking behind her, wearing suits. "Scott, I want you to meet these gentlemen. They are real estate developers who are planning a golf course with up-scale housing outside of San Diego. They’d like to have you as an investor and to participate in the design of the course…Your Masters win could make this a lucrative project for both of us."

"Okay. mom. I’ll meet with them as soon as I take care of business with my score card and the green jacket presentation." He climbed the steps and entered the official scorers room, thinking,
Wow, this is a big turn around. My mother’s into golf projects.