A few weeks ago on the first Sunday afternoon in April, two up and coming PGA Tour veterans stood over the biggest putts of their professional life. One of them produced final round fireworks before suffering a crushing blow. Few of us knew who he was until Jim Nantz, CBS golf anchor, said, "Len Mattiace, from his hometown of Mineola, New York ... ." Are you kidding me, Mineola. A professional golfer from our own backyard in a playoff at the most prestigious tournament in golf? Sure enough, Mattiace, born and raised in the Nassau perimeter, is proud to trace the roots of his success to Long Island Links. Following his runner-up finish at the Masters, Len Mattiace spent an afternoon swapping stories about his childhood turf with Anton News.

Len Mattiace was born in 1967 in Nassau Hospital, the precursor to Mineola's now burgeoning Winthrop-University Hospital. Residing in Jericho with his parents and brothers, Len cut his teeth on the tough layout of the Garden City Golf Club where Louis, his father, was a member. At 8 years old, Len quickly became the protégé in a home full of duffers. To most kids Len's age, springtime meant the swing of a bat. Baseball was but a diversion for Mattiace. Golf became his own personal passion.

What a quandary for an 8-year-old in 1975. Certainly, one of a rare few, if any, neighborhood kids to take up golf in lieu of other, more popular sports. Confusing people further, Len, a natural left hander in all respects opted to golf with his right. Think of the peer pressure. And yet, each day after school or all day during summer vacation, Len's parents would drive him cross county via Jericho Turnpike to Stewart Avenue to hit balls until the sun crested. Never pushed nor prodded, Len's desire, perseverance and love for the game came from a kid's heart, not a father's ego. If only the values of that time could be translated to today's must win era in youth athletics. Mattiace's recollection of his formative days place it all in proper perspective.

Len fondly savors the course at Garden City Golf Club. "The fairways had heavy bushes on the fringe. I distinctly remember the bushes had berries on them because we loved eating them." Snacking throughout the round, did you walk over to sample the fruit, Len? "Absolutely not. We ate the berries as the ball lied." One guarantees a fair amount of berries were sacrificed on approach courtesy of a long iron's backswing. And golf didn't cease when summer ended. Winter golf meant a trek to the East End with a brown bagged lunch as the fall chill kept sandwiches fresh. "Colonie Hill, Rock Hill, I played them all on a Saturday and Sunday. We'd freeze out there but never tire of it."

From 11 to 14, Mattiace attended junior high school in Jericho and had the good fortune to compete on some of the best tracks on the Island. "Our matches were played at Nassau, Tam O'Shanter and Bethpage. But the practice range was hitting balls on school fields in Jericho. You know football fields, soccer fields, the like." No doubt the baseball guys took notice. Thinking of retirement, Louis Mattiace would make a better decision for Len than himself. The family left Long Island for the warmer climes of Jacksonville, Florida on the eve of Len's high school days. Long Island would never be tucked too far back in Len's psyche.

Golf competition was much better in Florida than he may have anticipated but Len was not fazed. "I was never intimidated. I think it was the spirit I grew up with on Long Island. I kept a record of my scores from both places. On average, I shot 41 (for nine holes) in Jericho and I dipped to 35 and a half within a year or so in Florida." Maybe it was the challenge of our local courses. Mattiace became the best junior in the Sunshine State, Florida High School State Champion in 1984 and a member of the 1986 NCAA National Champion at golf-rich Wake Forest University. All from humble beginnings in Mineola. Enriched by Garden City berries. Refined on Jericho sandlots.

Mattiace struggled in his early years on the minor league Hogan and Nike Tours before qualifying as a PGA Tour professional in 1993. Invoking a local connection, "George Burns was a tour player and peer who came from Long Island in those days." Stumbling backwards in 1994 and 1995, Mattiace was never discouraged and broke through in 2000 with five top 10 finishes. Last year brought his first pair of tour victories on any scale at fabled Riviera Country Club outside Los Angeles and the famed St. Jude Classic in Memphis. Coupling top tens at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Invitational and the Worldcom Classic in beautiful Myrtle Beach made 2002 his most rewarding season. With second place at Augusta, Mattiace has earned nearly $1 million already in 2003 including an eighth place finish in his first title defense at the Nissan Open.

Mattiace is anxiously anticipating the US Open this June near Chicago but not as much as his homecoming at last year's Bethpage Black venue. "Bethpage was the most electrifying tour stop I have ever played. Especially in front of a number of my aunts and uncles." Two weeks after this year's second major he will attempt to repeat in Elvis' hometown. Despite ranking as high as 17th on the PGA money list and a sudden rise to fame, his early days are not forgotten. "During a cold round, I draw an inner strength from those Long Island memories."

Our conversation ended on his favorite subject, children, during a holiday week spent at home rather than on tour. A father of two young girls, Len and his wife Kristen established the Len's Friends Foundation to benefit youth in the Jacksonville area. In its fourth year, the foundation's annual charity tournament generates upwards of $50,000 split amongst various local charities. He realizes how lucky he was to play golf in an era of little notoriety and privilege. "Better equipment and public access make it great today. That is why we sponsor these kids. You can play all your life and it's a safe place to be." An ironic sentiment from a genuinely sincere individual who never doubted himself his whole life. And one who had time for his hometown at the peak of his celebrity. Mineola, Garden City and Jericho salute you. You will always be one of us.

Editor's Note: For golf aficionados, Len Mattiace will be competing locally in the Buick Classic at the Westchester Country Club from June 16 to June 22.