In 2019, Dave Loggins told The Associated Press about a round of golf he played at Augusta National Golf Club in the spring of 1981. That day inspired him to write what has become one of the most familiar and enduring sports theme songs in history.
“I stopped for a moment and looked at the pine trees and the wind that was blowing out there was different in some ways,” Loggins said. “Spiritually, it was different. That course was a work of art. I looked at some dogwood trees and, boy, I started writing the song in my head, which is what I do when I’m inspired. I had the first verse before I even left the course.”
He wrote the song “Augusta” later that year, with lyrics from it, and in 1982 CBS Sports golf producer Frank Chirkinian selected an instrumental version for the network’s coverage of the Masters. The song would become the longest-running sports theme in television history.
Loggins died Wednesday at a hospice in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 76. No cause of death has been given. He is survived by his three sons, Quinn, Kyle and Dylan Loggins, and a grandson, Braxton Loggins.
Born November 10, 1947, in Shady Valley, Tennessee, Loggins worked as a draftsman and insurance salesman until he moved to Nashville to try his hand at songwriting in 1970. His soft acoustic style was inspired by James Taylor and Dan Fogelberg, and he released the first of his five solo albums, Personal Belongings, in 1972.
He recorded only one hit song, “Please Come to Boston” in 1974, but the first cousin of pop star Kenny Loggins was a prolific songwriter whose work was recorded by artists including Willie Nelson, Joan Baez, Ray Charles, Tanya Tucker, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Alabama, Wynonna Judd, Johnny Cash, Smokey Robinson, Three Dog Night and Crystal Gayle. In 1984, Loggins scored a No. 1 country hit with Anne Murray on the duet “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do.” The recording earned Loggins and Murray a 1985 Country Music Award for Vocal Duo of the Year.
It was a lawyer friend who hosted Loggins for that fateful round at Augusta National in 1981, and the story goes that he introduced Loggins to Chirkinian later that year. They started talking about Chirkinian’s quest to find a theme song for the Masters cover, and Loggins told the legendary producer, “Well, I’m the guy to write it.” He then sent Chirkinian a demo. He recorded the song in Nashville with a band that included a 12-string ensemble while Loggins played guitar and sang.
In early 1982, he took the recording to Augusta, Georgia, to play it for Chirkinian. Loggins said Chirkinian told him, “You did a good job, son. You really did a good job.”
“Coming from him, the head of CBS Sports? That was awesome,” Loggins said.
Loggins was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995.
Here are the lyrics to “Augusta,” which many golf fans today may never have heard:
Well, it’s spring in Magnolia Lane Valley
It’s Augusta National and the master of the game
Who will wear this green coat on Sunday afternoon?
Who will walk the 18th fairway singing this melody?
Augusta, your dogwoods and your pines
They play in my mind like a song
Augusta, it’s you I love
And you’re the one I’ll miss when I’m gone.
It’s Watson, Byron Nelson, Demaret, Player and Snead
It’s Amen Corner and it’s Hogan’s perfect swing
It’s Sarazen’s double eagle at 15 in 35
And the spirit of Clifford Roberts that keeps him alive
Augusta, your dogwoods and your pines
They play in my mind like a song
Augusta, it’s you I love
And it’s you who I miss when I’m not here anymore.
These are the legions of Arnie’s army and the crowds of the golden bear
And the legend of Bobby Jones’ wooden handle.
