Nice never thought I’d start the day reading about lawn Gnomes and pee lines but loved it … and the visualization of the Masters walk was special, something about empty golf courses is very special to walk and enjoy .
Masters week been my favorite week of the year for a very long time. I've been privileged to walk the grounds 3 times, the first time in 1992. Back then, it seemed a little known secret how easy it was to attend practice rounds. You just walk up to the gate, give the attendant $10 and you're in! Eventually the club got complaints from players about the crowds and a lottery system was instituted.
First-timers heads up: Washington Rd. has all the charm of a Colerain Ave. or Dixie Highway or Beechmont Ave. And I don't mean the nice parts. But once inside the gates, no cell towers or any other kind of towers to be seen in any direction. Just trees. A shrine to golf and tradition.
That first day, my dad and I started at #1 and I walked the course. The only way it could have been better was if we'd brought our clubs. Before 18 hole TV coverage, the first 9 was a mystery to a us. It's a beautiful beast. I learned about the "Delta ticket office" located in the wooded ditch left of #2. Seems If you hit it there, you were sure to be going home soon. The pine cone on my bookshelf was snatched from among the azaleas right of the #6 tee overlooking #16. Didn't know they were that close. Bury me there. Seeing the place after years of admiring it on TV, was as if I'd met a celebrity and we spent the day together. On TV now it's like watching an old friend. Dad said the rough looked as nice as any fairway he ever saw. Everything growing looks perfect. Not a leaf or a flower out of place. Ball-skipping at #16 gives players and spectators a few minutes to act like little kids. I bought lunch for us: sandwiches and beers and got change for my $10. Thinwallet heaven. I'll get the next round too.
Mom was there too but chose not to join us on our 18-hole hike. Her goal was to find Fred Couples and follow him wherever he went. A few days later he won the thing. He's still her favorite.
A group of us said hello to Byron Nelson. He smiled and said "good afternoon fellas." The Par-3 course is a gem and a must walk. At the contest on Wednesday, Arnold, Gary and Jack chatted with us at the #8 tee box. Favorite vantage points: 10 green, 11 green/12 tee, 16 green and the shady bend at 13. Our crowd under those pines had fun chatting about where drives ended up and whether a player would go for it. We'll see this week if eagles still live there.
The Masters is one of the last sporting events that actually appreciates history, culture, and decorum. I love how you can't be a total dumb ass at the Masters - the club has a no jerk policy. At almost every sporting event, you find dumb fans trying to make the event about themselves but you won't find that at Augusta. I don't get bent out of shape about the elitism of the event - I am all for private clubs that want to control the behavior at their establishment.
Doc, just pulling out of the lot at Augusta National ... what a day! Everything was what I hoped it would be and more. Crowded yes, but not a mob. Par 3 event was a blast. Many Golfers had there wives and their little kids join them in their fitted caddie uniforms ... cute. Blessed to have got to experience this with my son. Weather was 👍 today before it is forecasted to deteriorate the rest of the week. Hope they miss that prediction and maintain the perfectness that was today!
Is it true that Dickie Betts sings “A Long Time Gnome” at September’s super secret Augusta National Hillbilly Jamboree, a.k.a. the Southern Baptist Bilderberg? I hear it’s Warren Buffet’s favorite song.
It’s hard for me to believe that any place that mixes such explosives as beer, cheese, and egg salad could be such a congenial event. I’ve been to southern family reunions where those ingredients almost always lead to fights or fart offs. Cousin Zeb can rectally recite the alphabet…the Greek alphabet.
Apparently, talking out the ass runs in the family. :)
Your gone Doc, Your love of Augusta is over the top. Just the words you use to describe it remind me of how I felt to go to my first baseball game in Crosley Field. I love it. Are you still doing Lookout now that you're um past your prime? I love your tune choices heading into Asheville. Love Dickie Betts. Keep swinging for the fences, You're killin it.
Excellent TML today, Doc! I don’t mind rules at public events if it helps keep the ill mannered under control. I am old enough to remember when proper etiquette had more clout in public and I certainly had my share of parental coaching on how well-behaved men are expected to act around others especially on the golf course. It’s not the same these days but it’s not worth getting agitated about in my opinion.
For those in control at Augusta National there are probably a few conversations that end with “Bobby would expect us to do it” so change is going to be slow if at all. I’d bet when the upstarts in the LIV crowd started their campaign to still be included there was a fair amount of “who do they think they are?” comments.
And let’s face it, the tight ass approach is their brand, and it works. The only comparable sporting activity I can think of is Keeneland Race Course where keeping tradition the same is gospel. Yes, you have gamblers and drinking and shouting at the nag that didn’t run but I have been invited into the clubhouse area there a few times and proper etiquette is the rule. Makes me nostalgic just thinking about it.
Great writing. You didn't just help us to 'see' the venue', but I 'felt' the experience just from the description. Although I'm not a golfer, I really enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the courses. August tops them all and reminds me of the spring blooms of azaleas and dogwoods when we lived in Greenville, SC.
If you are looking for less expensive gas during your drive (it went up to $3.79 here today), there is a Costco just off 26 north of Columbia that usually has the best prices. Enjoy your trip.
Though I am the furthest thing from an aficionado of golf, I always enjoy reading your pieces on the "Toonamint." After reading so many from you over the years, it almost makes me want to try to finagle my way in there for the experience, much like a Kentucky Derby or an Indianapolis 500 -- an iconic sporting event that transcends the actual sport.
With that said, maybe I need to work on the daughter of a family friend, who is a sports reporter for WRDW/WAGT in Augusta -- and gets to cover the whole event -- to find me a way in. Call in the favor of the recommendation letter I wrote on her behalf for grad school at Syracuse. Haha.
Great post. I was blessed to attend in 1997, Tiger’s first win. Beyond the beauty I was struck at the time by the lack of commercialism—I recall Heineken’s being a dollar! I was also blown away that you could put a chair out in the spectator area on the back nine in the morning and return in the afternoon to find it untouched. Definitely fewer people there then than now. Tried to go back Monday am just to take a few pictures and were firmly turned away by people that I am sure had been warmly welcoming the week before. Treasured experience!
Apr 5, 2023·edited Apr 5, 2023Liked by Paul Daugherty
Pine cones have seeds that grow to be trees. Why get a handful of sod when you can bring home 20 trees in your pocket? Super genius. A Masters class in skullduggery. Allegedly.
And that, friends, is why the New York Botanical Society is scratching their heads as to how a southern loblolly pine is growing in the middle of Brooklyn. 🌲🧐
Doc, love all your comments about The Masters. Without question, MY favorite sporting event of the year. Never been, would crawl from Cincy to Augusta on my hands and knees to get to attend just once. $850K per hour in Toonamint gear is almost beyond belief. Looking forward to another great week at Augusta National. Curious what the total prize money will be this year (Player's Championship last month was $25 MM, guessing The Masters will be more than that).
Nice never thought I’d start the day reading about lawn Gnomes and pee lines but loved it … and the visualization of the Masters walk was special, something about empty golf courses is very special to walk and enjoy .
Masters week been my favorite week of the year for a very long time. I've been privileged to walk the grounds 3 times, the first time in 1992. Back then, it seemed a little known secret how easy it was to attend practice rounds. You just walk up to the gate, give the attendant $10 and you're in! Eventually the club got complaints from players about the crowds and a lottery system was instituted.
First-timers heads up: Washington Rd. has all the charm of a Colerain Ave. or Dixie Highway or Beechmont Ave. And I don't mean the nice parts. But once inside the gates, no cell towers or any other kind of towers to be seen in any direction. Just trees. A shrine to golf and tradition.
That first day, my dad and I started at #1 and I walked the course. The only way it could have been better was if we'd brought our clubs. Before 18 hole TV coverage, the first 9 was a mystery to a us. It's a beautiful beast. I learned about the "Delta ticket office" located in the wooded ditch left of #2. Seems If you hit it there, you were sure to be going home soon. The pine cone on my bookshelf was snatched from among the azaleas right of the #6 tee overlooking #16. Didn't know they were that close. Bury me there. Seeing the place after years of admiring it on TV, was as if I'd met a celebrity and we spent the day together. On TV now it's like watching an old friend. Dad said the rough looked as nice as any fairway he ever saw. Everything growing looks perfect. Not a leaf or a flower out of place. Ball-skipping at #16 gives players and spectators a few minutes to act like little kids. I bought lunch for us: sandwiches and beers and got change for my $10. Thinwallet heaven. I'll get the next round too.
Mom was there too but chose not to join us on our 18-hole hike. Her goal was to find Fred Couples and follow him wherever he went. A few days later he won the thing. He's still her favorite.
A group of us said hello to Byron Nelson. He smiled and said "good afternoon fellas." The Par-3 course is a gem and a must walk. At the contest on Wednesday, Arnold, Gary and Jack chatted with us at the #8 tee box. Favorite vantage points: 10 green, 11 green/12 tee, 16 green and the shady bend at 13. Our crowd under those pines had fun chatting about where drives ended up and whether a player would go for it. We'll see this week if eagles still live there.
Doc, thanks for the pictures you write.
The Masters is one of the last sporting events that actually appreciates history, culture, and decorum. I love how you can't be a total dumb ass at the Masters - the club has a no jerk policy. At almost every sporting event, you find dumb fans trying to make the event about themselves but you won't find that at Augusta. I don't get bent out of shape about the elitism of the event - I am all for private clubs that want to control the behavior at their establishment.
Late getting here today, but worth the wait. Aaahhh-gusta.
Thanks, Doc.
Doc, just pulling out of the lot at Augusta National ... what a day! Everything was what I hoped it would be and more. Crowded yes, but not a mob. Par 3 event was a blast. Many Golfers had there wives and their little kids join them in their fitted caddie uniforms ... cute. Blessed to have got to experience this with my son. Weather was 👍 today before it is forecasted to deteriorate the rest of the week. Hope they miss that prediction and maintain the perfectness that was today!
Is it true that Dickie Betts sings “A Long Time Gnome” at September’s super secret Augusta National Hillbilly Jamboree, a.k.a. the Southern Baptist Bilderberg? I hear it’s Warren Buffet’s favorite song.
It’s hard for me to believe that any place that mixes such explosives as beer, cheese, and egg salad could be such a congenial event. I’ve been to southern family reunions where those ingredients almost always lead to fights or fart offs. Cousin Zeb can rectally recite the alphabet…the Greek alphabet.
Apparently, talking out the ass runs in the family. :)
Your gone Doc, Your love of Augusta is over the top. Just the words you use to describe it remind me of how I felt to go to my first baseball game in Crosley Field. I love it. Are you still doing Lookout now that you're um past your prime? I love your tune choices heading into Asheville. Love Dickie Betts. Keep swinging for the fences, You're killin it.
Thanks for the tour. Sorry you're not there, but you've got great memories to hang onto.
Excellent TML today, Doc! I don’t mind rules at public events if it helps keep the ill mannered under control. I am old enough to remember when proper etiquette had more clout in public and I certainly had my share of parental coaching on how well-behaved men are expected to act around others especially on the golf course. It’s not the same these days but it’s not worth getting agitated about in my opinion.
For those in control at Augusta National there are probably a few conversations that end with “Bobby would expect us to do it” so change is going to be slow if at all. I’d bet when the upstarts in the LIV crowd started their campaign to still be included there was a fair amount of “who do they think they are?” comments.
And let’s face it, the tight ass approach is their brand, and it works. The only comparable sporting activity I can think of is Keeneland Race Course where keeping tradition the same is gospel. Yes, you have gamblers and drinking and shouting at the nag that didn’t run but I have been invited into the clubhouse area there a few times and proper etiquette is the rule. Makes me nostalgic just thinking about it.
You are happy as a kid on Christmas morning. Will enjoy the ride as always.
Great writing. You didn't just help us to 'see' the venue', but I 'felt' the experience just from the description. Although I'm not a golfer, I really enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the courses. August tops them all and reminds me of the spring blooms of azaleas and dogwoods when we lived in Greenville, SC.
If you are looking for less expensive gas during your drive (it went up to $3.79 here today), there is a Costco just off 26 north of Columbia that usually has the best prices. Enjoy your trip.
Though I am the furthest thing from an aficionado of golf, I always enjoy reading your pieces on the "Toonamint." After reading so many from you over the years, it almost makes me want to try to finagle my way in there for the experience, much like a Kentucky Derby or an Indianapolis 500 -- an iconic sporting event that transcends the actual sport.
With that said, maybe I need to work on the daughter of a family friend, who is a sports reporter for WRDW/WAGT in Augusta -- and gets to cover the whole event -- to find me a way in. Call in the favor of the recommendation letter I wrote on her behalf for grad school at Syracuse. Haha.
Great post. I was blessed to attend in 1997, Tiger’s first win. Beyond the beauty I was struck at the time by the lack of commercialism—I recall Heineken’s being a dollar! I was also blown away that you could put a chair out in the spectator area on the back nine in the morning and return in the afternoon to find it untouched. Definitely fewer people there then than now. Tried to go back Monday am just to take a few pictures and were firmly turned away by people that I am sure had been warmly welcoming the week before. Treasured experience!
Pine cones have seeds that grow to be trees. Why get a handful of sod when you can bring home 20 trees in your pocket? Super genius. A Masters class in skullduggery. Allegedly.
And that, friends, is why the New York Botanical Society is scratching their heads as to how a southern loblolly pine is growing in the middle of Brooklyn. 🌲🧐
Doc, love all your comments about The Masters. Without question, MY favorite sporting event of the year. Never been, would crawl from Cincy to Augusta on my hands and knees to get to attend just once. $850K per hour in Toonamint gear is almost beyond belief. Looking forward to another great week at Augusta National. Curious what the total prize money will be this year (Player's Championship last month was $25 MM, guessing The Masters will be more than that).