Golf’s greatest-ever Major Champion Jack Nicklaus has lamented the loss of the famed Eisenhower Tree at Augusta National.

A recent ice storm wreaked havoc in the region including the Georgia golfing gem that plays host each April to the Masters.

Jack Nicklaus says the Eisenhower Tree to the left off 17th tee at Augusta will be ‘sorely missed’.

Unfortunately, the storm also did irreparable damage to the Eisenhower tree located a short distance left off the 17th tee.

(See earlier www.golfbytourmiss.com story on the Eisenhower Tree)

Nicklaus won record six Masters titles (1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986) and he went onto Facebook to say:

“The Eisenhower Tree is such an iconic fixture and symbol of tradition at Augusta National. It was such an integral part of the game and one that will be sorely missed… Over the years, it’s come into play many, many times on the 17th hole.

“When I stood on the 17th tee, my first thought, always, was to stay away from Ike’s Tree. Period… I hit it so many times over the years that I don’t care to comment on the names I called myself and the names I might have called the tree. ‘Ike’s Tree’ was a kind choice. But looking back, Ike’s Tree will be greatly missed.”

Good friend and colleague Bob Harig (ESPN) also reported.

“In 2011, when playing his second shot from the pine straw beneath Ike’s Tree, four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods suffered injuries that weren’t disclosed until after the tournament. He had knee and Achilles issues that caused him to miss four months, including the next two major championships.”