In the words coined by CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz, and now trademarked by Augusta National Golf Club, the Masters Tournament is “a tradition unlike any other.” This year’s Masters graciously upheld its traditions by featuring some old favorites, while also stretching its limits by highlighting rising stars.

The week’s festivities got off to a wonderful start on Wednesday at the Par-3 Tournament when six-time winner Jack Nicklaus proved that he could still conjure up some of his old magic. After he playfully promised ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt that he would try to score a hole-in-one for him (a feat he had never previously achieved at Augusta), Nicklaus proceeded to deliver on that pledge just hours later — to the delight and amazement of patrons and golfers alike.

Then on Friday, another memorable moment came when two-time champion Ben Crenshaw saluted a cheering throng at the close of his final competitive Masters round, exactly twenty years after his second victory at Augusta. There was hardly a dry eye among the gallery, nor of Crenshaw, his longtime caddy, or his wife and daughters, as Ben exchanged hugs and acknowledged the appreciation of his family, friends, and admirers. At the end of that love fest, Ben said he felt like he had won the tournament all over again.

Much of the pre-Masters hype had centered on how Tiger Woods would fare after a two-month hiatus from competitive golf, and whether or not World #1 Rory McIlroy would be able to complete a career Grand Slam at the ripe old age of 25. Tiger, who had been plagued by the chipping “yips” when he was last on tour, greatly exceeded expectations by displaying a much-improved short game, making the cut, and even working his way up to the third last grouping on Sunday morning. As fate would have it, he was even paired with Rory in that final round. Although neither of these ultra-competitors could have felt thoroughly satisfied with anything short of a victory, nevertheless both could take solace in their own personal rebounds and strong performances.

I was glad to see Phil Mickelson in the hunt on Sunday. As golfing great Colin Montgomerie remarked later that day, “Phil is box office!” His nickname, “Phil the Thrill,” has been earned by shots like Sunday’s 40-foot birdie putt, that side-winded its way over a hump and down a bank into the hole, and his sand shot that sunk for an eagle on the final par-5. Phil is always fun to watch.

But the star of this Masters, from start to finish, was Jordan Spieth. This 21-year-old Texan, who finished in second place in last year’s tournament, jumped out to 8-under-par on the first day, and stretched that margin to 14-under by the end of two rounds. While his weekend scoring was not eye-popping, his play was still rock-solid under the type of pressure that typically causes most early leaders to wither on the vine. His final score of 18-under-par was 4 strokes better than second place Mickelson and Justin Rose, and equaled the lowest score ever recorded at the Masters — 18 years before, by another 21-year-old phenom named Tiger Woods.

Regarding Jordan Spieth, Jack Nicklaus, the greatest golfer in Masters history, had these words of praise: “Jordan is so beyond his years. I like everything about the young man. He’s polite. He’s humble. He handles himself so well, on and off the course. And he’s obviously a wonderful player and now a Masters champion. I think Jordan Spieth is a great person — just as I think Rory McIlroy is — to carry the mantle for the game of golf.”

“I am someone who likes the new generations,” Nicklaus continued. “I always have. I think it energizes the game of golf. We had Arnold’s generation, then it came to my generation, then Tom Watson came along, and right on down the line to Tiger and Rory. And now we have Jordan Spieth. There are some older players who have been terrific for a long time, but actually this might be time for the young guys to take over.”

To which, I, and millions of other golf fans, echo, “Amen, Jack.”

John McColgan writes from his home in Joseph.