Harison’s Masters introductions were models of simplicity

When you’re the announcer at the first tee of the Masters for 60 years like Phil Harison was, you might think there would be some kind of flowery phrases in his words as he introduced the golfers, one by one.

Instead, it was simple, brief, perfect.

“Fore, please, Arnold Palmer now driving.”

That’s it. No long list of the tournaments that each player had won, no mention of hometowns, no countries talked about, no string quartet playing in the background. It was just Harison, usually wearing a yellow floppy brimmed cap and a green jacket, with his bare-bones introductions.

Beginning in 1948 and until 2007, Phil Harison was not just the voice, but also the face of the Masters at the first tee of Augusta National. Harison, who died at 82 of lung cancer Sunday in Augusta, Ga., had attended every Masters since its beginning in 1934, Campbell Harison said of his father.

The younger Harison told the Augusta Chronicle that his father’s family was raised in their home behind the first green at Augusta National and that Phil Harison would ride his bicycle around the course and fish at the ponds.

Phil Harison’s grandfather, Dr. William Harison, was one of four men who are credited with bringing golf to Augusta, long before Bobby Jones, Clifford Roberts and Alister MacKenzie got together to create Augusta National.

In 1897, William Harison bought an interest in the Bon Air Hotel, which had a nine-hole course, which later evolved into Augusta Country Club.

If that’s a noble cause, it can’t touch the manner in which William Harison conducted his medical practice. He was renowned for treating the poor free of charge.

When Campbell Harison was injured in an automobile accident and became a quadriplegic, it inspired Phil Harison to launch a campaign to provide affordable accessible living for the disabled. More than $1.3 million was raised and the Harison Heights at Walton Rehabilitation Health System was born. As chairman of the foundation, more than $3 million more was raised.

He also served as teacher, vice chairman and chairman of the Richmond County Hospital Authority.

Billy Payne, the chairman at Augusta National Golf Club, said Harison’s death is a blow.

“Phil was a cherished member who made significant contributions to the Masters,” Payne said in a statement. “As the starter on the first tee, he was the face of the Masters to many patrons. He did a wonderful job in that role.”

It’s hard to argue with any of the roles in Phil Harison’s life.

thomas.bonk@latimes.com