2006-04-09

Wednesday at The Masters

No I didn't get to go but my friend UMGolf did! Here is what he had to say about it:

Better late than never as we just got home....

Taylor, You are far better writer than I and you could not have been more on the mark. It is so rare when life exceeds your dream about. Augusta National did that Wednesday. It is all that we have all heard about and so much better. If you care about golf at all, YOU MUST GO TO THE MASTERS. Taylors details were right on the mark about everything so I will give a readers digest about our day. I hope to have a ton of Pictures Monday. Digital camera not up to par that day.

Got there before 8:00 and parked accross the street from Magnolia lane (Not quite as exceptional as expected)

My brother and I sent the parents off to Amen corner and we went to walk the front.

Rich Beem was the first one out there and we followed him the first couple of holes as we tried to take in all that Augusta is. ALL OF THESE GUYS SPEND A TON OF TIME AROUND THE GREENS.

Caught up with Lehman and Furyk on 3 and followed them for a couple holes. Furyk having trouble getting to the 4th green. Fifth hole is a real brute.

6 and 7 really neat holes. The Azelias are in full bloom. Crowds are really thin on the front nine.

Just then we had the tought that the guys would only play nine and that they would play the back and sure enough, up pops Woods and O'meara going off 10.

Cut over from 8 green to 15. That green is TINY. Much smaller than it appears on TV. The water on 16 is also not that far from the back of the green.

13 is even more amazing than I thought it would be. Caught up with Tiger and O'meara. They spent a lot of times hitting from the lay up zone. Walked up 14 with them as well. That hole seems like it was playing tough.

Dropped back to 13 to PICK UP FRED!!!!! Played with Adam Scott who is really growing on me. Fred hit his drives right and short and did not attempt to go for the green. Scott was laying up as well. Fred looking great. Back does not seem to be any problem (no more than usual) Did seem to be messing with some liquid band Aid on a blister on his hand. (All that practicing) Scott was picking Freds brain today. Fred kept showing Scott places and they were doing a lot of talking. Followed them through 17 tee. Freds swing looks FANTASTIC. If he could putt, He'd be amazing!!! He spent a ton of time on 15 green putting. He hit it close on 16 and then did the attempt to skip a shot off the water but only got it about 1/2 way there. Followed Fred to 17 tee and took Pics along the way.

First Freddie......He reached into his bag on 17 tee and pulled out his sweater vest and gave it to a girl on the tee...Said he did not need it any more. The fans there adore Fred. They applaud his every move and stalk him for Pics.

Fell back to locate the Parents and found them on 12 tee in THE FRONT ROW!!!! Could not believe it. The marshal there (Bob) beconed them up to the front row as soon as they arrived there. They were so excited!!! They saw everyone that came through. We hung there for a bit and saw Love, Leonard, Duval (loser) Langer, Garcia, Dimarco, Olazabal,Toms, Funk, Woosman, Monty, Coody, Player, Stenson (watch this guy), Faldo (got his divot).

Then it was off to the Par 3 tournament!!!!!

Got a spot behind the 7th green. The place was PACKED!!!! O'meara was the first out and then came word that Nicklaus and Watson were on the Par 3. What a treat!!! Went down and got a spot next to the 7th tee to wait. Mickelson and Furyk played together and that was the first Phil siting. Had his little girl with him. Daly and Zoeller were playing together. (Ran into Daly at Hooters on Tuesday night after dinner in Augusta. He was having a signing there so we HAD TO STOP IN FOR A BEER AND PICTURE). Daly and Zoeller hit to the green and then pulled 2 kids out of the crowd to have them putt for them. Nicklaus and Watson were playing with Andy North. Nicklaus really had everyones attention. Great to see them both taking part in things.

Got thirsty and had to go get more beers....The beer is cheap and tastes so good. I unpacked and have 34 cups.....Thank god they were not all mine!!! Brother and I went to our favorite tent along side 18 and caught up with Sean O'hair and Cink. Got the beer and then caught up with Singh on 17. He killed a couple of drives on 18. (looks like it rolled over to today).

Back up behind 18 green is 1 tee and Clarke and Westwood were heading out late. They were then followed by Harrington and Els. Ernie looks like he is struggling.....

Got back to the Par 3 and missed Fred who was playing with Charles Coody. Watched a couple of groups and headed back to the putting area. Strolled back out on the course for a bit and then caught up with Clarke, Westwood and Els on 9. They were messing around with chip shots from the back right of the green, chipping accross the green into the rough to get the ball to trickle down to the hole at the middle of the green. AMAZING!!!!!. Headed off to the range and who is grinding away....... FRED AND BUTCH. They were focusing on Fred trying to stay behind the ball and hit the high soft fade. Butch was only spending time with Fred. He really looks like he is feeling good. Very relaxed and seemed to be in great spirits. Els out there working on all kinds of stuff. Player was there and still hits the straightest shots I have seen. Goosen, Singh, Crenshaw, Angel Caberra, Mize and Lucas Glover, Michael Campbell and Oline Brown out there working hard.

Took the Pics in front of the clubhouse and headed to the shops!!!!

The merchandise is not cheap but is very nice. Had to get WAY TOO MUCH STUFF!!! May never get back here again.

The experience was absolutely perfect!!! My greatest day in golf if not ever....Sorry to my wife and kids.

This has got to be the greatest show in the world. I'll treasure the day for the rest of my life. Please, everyone go to masters.org and send in for the lottery. You will be thrilled!!!!!

Thanks for the great write up UMGolf!

Originally posted here and re-posted on Eat Golf by permission

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