A Trip Unlike Any Other - The Masters

As I sit here writing this on the plane ride home from Georgia, there are tears in my eyes and goosebumps all over.  They just won't go away.  The emotion is palpable – is this real?

The Masters.  Augusta National.  Right from the moment that I walked into the gates, my already high expectations were shattered. "Welcome to The Masters". Four words that I never thought would be spoken to me.  The security guard greeted every patron with these words along the walkway, a St. Peter of sorts. 

I am forever grateful to my friend, Mick for inviting me along on this trip.  Mick is the biggest golf fan that I know and has an incredible encyclopedic knowledge of the game.  When he asked me to come along I didn’t even have to think twice - it was an automatic yes.  Mick had won the practice round lottery, which in some cases is better than winning the actual lottery.  I mean, this is Augusta National.

It was 7:45 am and the sun was shining perfectly over the clubhouse and onto the practice facility, where a few players, including Luke Donald and PGA Champion Keegan Bradley were warming up for the day.  As I strolled through the practice facility I was in awe.  Practice green and bunkers, driving range, all perfect.  Once on the course, the attention to detail was immediately noticed.  Nowhere else on earth will you find greener grass, not even in Ireland.  Every blade was perfectly manicured, as if they were artistically placed blade by blade.  It almost seemed as if I was walking on carpet because grass cannot be this perfect.

I walked the course hole by hole, starting with number 1.  What you don't see on television is the intense elevation changes, especially on number 1.  The fairway is a long, uphill climb – one that would be a perfect sled-riding hill, if only it were placed in Northeast Ohio.  Not much of an issue for professional golfers, as the landing area to the left of the fairway bunkers is relatively flat, but it would be a horror show of a hill for somebody such as myself to deal with.

As I circled around the first green and got a first look at the long, dogleg left beauty of number 2, it finally hit me.  This is the first of many “holy crap” moments.  Looking through the fairway towards the green with the same viewpoint that Louis Oosthuizen had that beautiful Easter Sunday as he double eagled was breathtaking.  It’s a long, downhill walk, with tall pines and the white scoreboard serving as a perfect backdrop.

As I kept walking through the middle of the first nine, I caught myself glancing over at the southeast corner of the course.  I knew that Amen Corner was waiting and wanted to jet immediately over to that portion of the course.  Perhaps if I weren’t with Mick, I would have.  But Mick helped me stay the course.  He convinced me that by skipping holes and looking forward to what was to come, I would be shortchanging the beauty of what was in front of me.  Much like the actual game of golf, patience was key.

As I walked up the side of the fairway of number 9, a dogleg left with an uphill approach to the green, all I kept thinking about was the second nine.  How would it look in person? It couldn't possibly be more brilliant than the first nine that we just walked, right?  The first nine is certainly world class, but the second nine is stuff of legends.

The Bubba Shot

It started with number 10.  We picked up a couple of groups on the second nine, watching Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, and Masters champion Adam Scott roll through.  As I strolled down the right side of number 10, I found myself in the same pine straw that Bubba Watson had unfortunately found himself in two years earlier in a playoff with Louis Oosthuizen.  What looked like an impossibility on television was even more impressive in person.  Somehow, television makes that miraculous 40-yard hook shot to 15 feet from the pin look easy.  When standing in the exact spot, I don't know how he did it.  To hit that shot, with that pressure, in that moment was incredible.  

Speaking of incredible, the three most special holes in all of golf were waiting just around the corner.  I watched Jordan Spieth hit some putts on the 10th green, turned to the right, and there it was.  Amen Corner.  Words cannot express its beauty.  As soon as I stood behind the 11th tee box, I noticed that birds began to chirp. Perhaps they have been chirping all day, I imagine that is the case, but I did not notice until now.  It almost felt too perfect, like there are hidden speakers in the trees.  The 11^th hole is traditionally one of the most difficult holes in golf, with an average score over par.  After walking the hole, I came to the conclusion that I could play the hole 100 times and walk away all 100 with at least a bogey.  It is that tough.

Golden Bell - The 12th hole at Augusta National

My next, and biggest “holy crap” moment was here, the 12th hole, Golden Bell.  It’s as if I walked into a painting.  It is the most photographed hole in all of golf, and perhaps the most famous.  I can only think of a few that could give it a run for it’s money.  Hogan’s Bridge and Rae’s Creek were right there in front of me – there was one moment where I actually pinched myself.  As I sat in the grandstands behind the tee box I kept thinking about all of the times that I have seen this hole on television, paintings, photographs, and video games.  Now, I’m seeing it in person.  Sometimes, when you see something so famous and renowned, it looks different in person.  Maybe it’s smaller or larger than you’ve seen on television, or something is just a little off about what you’re looking at.  This is not the case with the 12^th hole at Augusta National.  The 155-yard par 3 looks exactly like it does on television and in photographs – unforgettable beauty.  I could have spent the entire day at that hole, but there was much more to see – and eat.

When talking about concessions, you won’t find anything less expensive at any other sporting event, or cafeteria for that matter.  The $1.50 egg salad sandwich is one of the most famous of offerings.  It was the best 150 pennies that I have ever spent.  To be honest, it didn’t really hold a candle to Eileen’s egg salad (which is my absolute favorite), but it was amazing nevertheless.  From potato chips and crackers, to beer and soft drinks, there are no brand names on any of the food or drinks, only The Masters logo.  Enough of the food though, there was the last hole of Amen Corner to still see.

Jordan Spieth on the famous 18th hole.

Walking up the 13^th hole, I could not get a great look at the green based on where the gallery is pushed back.  If I would say that there was any bit of disappointment in the day, this would be it.  The 13^th green is arguably the most beautiful of them all, with all of the azalea bushes behind the green.  To not get a great vantage point was kind of a bummer.

There were only a few more holes to see before heading over to the par 3 course.  As far as single shots in Masters history, for me, nothing will ever eclipse Tiger Woods’ incredible chip in from the back of the 16^th green.  As I sat at the 16^th hole, I kept thinking about that shot as well as Jack's near ace in 1986 – incredible.  

To close out the second nine, as almost all Masters champions have done, I walked up the steep slope of the 18th fairway and around the back of the green, completing my walk of Augusta.  It took exactly 4 hours  It was a walk that I will never forget, and one that I am extremely lucky to have taken.  Every year, I watch Masters Sunday in it's entirety.  From Tiger's record-breaking win in 1997, to Phil finally getting the Majors monkey off of his back in 2004, the 18th green has played host to many of my favorite memories throughout the years.  Seeing it in person was very, very special.

Par 3 Champion Ryan Moore's wife and son

After walking the course from start to finish, I headed over to the par 3 contest, which is played on a course adjacent to the 10^th hole.  The par 3 contest is family oriented, laid back, and fun.  Many of the player’s wives, girlfriends, and children caddy for them during these 9 holes.  The most unforgettable part of the par 3 contest was watching Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player play the 7th hole on the ropes.  It was a surreal moment.  I was too young to watch these guys play, but to see the "Big Three" and their combined 13 green jackets a near 15 feet away was the most special moment of a day filled with unforgettable moments.  

The King - Arnold Palmer

And just like that, it was over.  As I was walking out I did not want to leave.  Like a child upset that he has to go to bed, I almost had to be dragged out through the gates.  Who knows if I'll ever return.  There are some that have been trying to get to The Masters for over 30 years with no luck.  Most people will never get the chance to visit, so I'm counting my blessings.  I took every second in with the utmost appreciation.  It is truly that special – the way that Augusta National wants it to be. The customer service was top notch. Not one bad attitude or even half a frown.  From security, to cashiers, bathroom attendants, and course ushers, every single person had a smile on their face and greeted you as if you were a past Masters champion yourself.

In a way, this experience has ruined me.  I will never look at any sporting event, golf tournament, or customer service model the same ever again.  The one word that I keep going back to sum it all up is experience.  You don't go to the tournament, you experience it.  You don't just simply walk the course.  You are transformed into the champions of past, an experience you will never get at any other course.  It’s hallowed ground, a heaven of sorts.  A tradition unlike any other. An experience that I will never forget.  These goosebumps will stay with me forever.