By SCOTT HANSON, The Seattle Times

LAKEWOOD, Wash. - Gene Lynn will always have a special place in his heart for Sahalee Country Club. He was one of the founders of the championship course in Sammamish, Wash., that's considered one of the best in the nation.

But that's nothing compared to the passion he feels for his current project -- American Lake Veterans Golf Course at the VA Hospital here.

It was on the first tee at the Masters in April that it really hit Gary Player.

"I started thinking, most of my friends are dead, and the average age for an athlete to retire is 28," he said. "And here I am, at 73, getting ready to play in the Masters."