Any one going to Augusta for the Masters?


bernie

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1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed)
1984 300CD 172,483
1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05

Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs

I haven't decided yet. Last year was a mess. I still have green stains on my shoes!

I’ve played golf for decades. I got my first set of clubs at the age of 4. I had countless lessons, and got pretty good at the game, and even did a little amateur tournament play myself. Yet I’ve never understood why anyone would want to go and watch other players. Yes, I understand the living legends are there, yadda yadda yadda, but for me, the sport is not so captivating that someone hitting a shot is especially interesting. I’d rather play than watch. So tell me, what is the attraction?

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

My brother in law made the tour this year I plan I attending a couple.

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/players/profile?playerId=1182

I play the game and I've attended several PGA Tour events. I grew up in Greensboro, NC where the Greater Greensboro Open (now the G G Chrysler Classic) is played. As a golfer and a fan, I always found it pretty cool to not only watch the guys that I'd seen on tv, but to also appreciate their distance, short game and overall talent (and compare it to mine) on a course that I've played several times. I play to a single digit handicap, but to watch those guys up close is indeed a humbling experience. It's just like watching any other top-echelon athlete, musician, performer, etc. It is the appreciation of watching the best at what they do, doing what they do best. For alot of people, any major event is no more than a social gathering, a drunkfest or the opportunity to impress others by saying "I was there". I like the atmosphere, but I like the performance even more. I've watched The Masters on tv since I was a kid, but I would love to "smell the azaleas" and take in the entire aura of Augusta National in person. I will make it to Augusta, just as I'll make it to Fenway Park before I leave this rock. I definitely agree with you, as I'd rather play than watch, but I do enjoy watching top level performers "up close and personal". Pink Floyd comes to mind, but that's an entirely different topic.

for me is that only a select group is invited. The property is a beautiful garden with a golf course running through it. TV does not do the grounds and course archetecture justice. It must be seen to be believed. As a PGA member I like to study the swings on the practice range. This will be my first time to Augusta and I get in free with my membership card. It is the toughest ticket to get in all of sports.

Medmec, I'll follow your brother inlaws progess through the season. He finished well in Tucson.


thebern

__________________
1982 240D 313,000 (4 speed)
1984 300CD 172,483
1985 German Shepherd Dog -Lacey- R.I.P.11/04/05

Hood Stars, Wrist Crowns and Obsession Dobs

Nestled near the state line between Georgia and South Carolina is another world. Driving up to the entrance for the 'commoners' you can not imagine the transformation you are about to experience when you enter the grounds. You are in one of the most beautiful settings that I can imagine. You are surrounded by incredibly manicured plants and people. All manmade structures are the same color as the grass and woods. You walk on the same grass that Presidents, kings and captains of industry play. That grass in the walkways is nicer than any course I have ever played! You are transformed for just a few hours to another world. One that you cannot possibly afford to remain in nor will they permit you to stay there. This is the nirvana of the golf world. One of the most exclusive societies on earth.
One of my favorite folklore tales about Augusta National involved Vice President Dan Quayle. He was coming to Augusta on business and called the course to arrange a tee time. The pro shop politely informed him that he would be most welcome. When asked what member he would be a guest of, Quayle replied none, he was bringing his own foursome. The pro shop responed by telling him that he could not play there unless accompanied by a member. The Vice President was turned away!:p

I have tickets to the Wednesday practice round this year - I enter the lottery draw for practice tickets every year and this will be my 5th trip to Augusta.

It's not really possible to describe how amazing the place is - the best I could do would be to say its perfect. I can guarantee anybody that even has a remote interest in golf will not be disappointed - go if you can.

Lebenz - I'm floored by your comments about "who wants to watch other people play golf" Are you sure you are really a golfer?

In the past I've carried a positive handicap and my current USGA index is 1.0 - I'm pretty good, plenty of rounds in the 60's every year but the level of shotmaking I see (even in the practice rounds) will keep my coming back to Augusta as long as I can walk. Have you ever seen Tiger hit a 350 yard drive right down the middle of the 10th fairway? It's worth the trip.

Tim

The only way I can watch golf is carting all my able bodied friend golfers around with a case of beer.

Augusta National would be an interesting place to visit even if the sport was horse shoes ! But it's golf. And you can see some of the best of it anywhere. Now, I too am an avid duffer but I can relate to watching someone else play as the equivalent to watching grass grow. Except at Augusta. To watch someone putt away from the hole on #16 in order to sink it or to try airmailing the ball onto the postage stamp green at #12 or a thousand other things.
To give you an idea of how classy this place is, even the trash is color coordinated!! Several of the greens have refrigeration systems under them. Flowers and trees bloom on command from the Head Greenskeeper.(O.K. maybe I stretched that one a bit )

I'll be there... 3rd or 4th time. Only played 2 rounds of golf in my life... no need in my life for additional self-inflicted frustration, but the aura and the event and the grounds are enough to attract. Perhaps it's like going to Stone Mountain- just a rock, but moreso. No interest in visiting other golf tournaments, or other rocks.

Thanks for all the comments. Sounds like a dog and pony show in a nice prissy garden for folks who like idol worship. PGA tournaments in general walk the line between tedium and absurdity. The golfers are prima donnas, who wear clothing that would be perceived as humiliating to wear anywhere but a golf course, and they are too fragile to even carry their own clubs, They spend most of their time preening like girls. And lets talk about the endless personality quirks: as example, while standing over the ball, and trying to “concentrate:” Fix the crease in the pants, tug on the short sleeve shirt, touch the nose, shuffle the feet, pull the pants up a notch, rub the right hand on the pant leg, re adjust the glove --and how many gloves do they go through in a day? And my personal favorite, the endless readjusting of the back of the shirt collar. These guys are so OCD and twitchy you’d think they were both on Ritalin and in early stage of MS and not professional athletes. And then there are the ferocious little temper tantrums. Pro golfers make the 2nd laziest “athletes” on the planet, baseball players, look like pro wrestlers by comparison. And somehow it’s all justified because they are praying for a lot of money. Ugh.

I am sure. Are you sure you’re not a voyeur?

Well have fun. I guess there is something to take money away from everyone.....

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Narwhal, I think you miss the point. BTW do you have a first name you’d care to share?

During my golf days, I played at a CC. The folks I played with ran the gamut of who is who in the local community, and not infrequently, who is who in national arena. I won’t bore anyone with names, but think of the elite in your community – pro athletes, owners of pro teams, owners of horse racing tracks, police chiefs, other prominent business owners, doctors, lawyers, politicians. And then there were the folks who have that most coveted of all disabilities: too much money to work. And their sons, of course, and sometimes their daughters. All are entirely cool and successful people. Fine to spend time with. Fun to play golf with. Several are even plus players. I was fortunate in a number of ways. One of them is that I'm a lefty but play right handed. I also have really good hand, foot, eye coordination. The result is that I can hit a golf ball further and more accurately than most human beings. Yet to spend the time watching? Oh gawd.....

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

One of the most memorable trips to The Masters was a Wednesday practice round. We followed John Daily and Fuzzy Zoeller. Those two were a hoot! Chain smoking, joke cracking crowd interacting hoots. Occasionally they even made a good shot and were rewarded with the golf clap. Later that day Greg Norman was on the practice green. He had putted the ball to within 4 feet of the hole. Removing his cap and scratching his head he announced that he needed putting lessons. He walked to a five year old boy who was glued to his every move. Lifting the rope he hands his putter to the kid and says "Show me how to do it". The kid takes the putter and makes the shot. Something he'll remember the rest of his life. The crowd roared as if he had just won the tournament as the ball found the hole. You can't buy that, it's just part of what it's all about.

Lebenz

I do like to watch people that have reached the highest possible level of achievement in many fields perform. I find that I almost always learn something from watching such people. If that makes me a voyeur I guess I'm guilty....

Of course I guess it depends on your frame of reference - I have to admit I've never really noticed how a players at the masters adjust their pants or shirt in their pre-shot routines but like you said "to each his own"

If you are ever on the east coast and want to play a little golf look me up. Of course you are going to have to watch me hit my shots, I'll try not to annoy you but I can't make any promises.

Tim