Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Masters Week





This is the week of The Masters golf tournament held in Augusta, Georgia. It is, by far, my favorite golf tournament and probably overall sports event. The course is spectacular...it's the South in full springtime mode...and it reminds you of the season of Easter and God's promise of a new heaven and a new earth. The feel of the place is better than you think it will be...it's like the first time as a kid when I saw the inside of the Cotton Bowl...sort of overwhelming.

The place reeks of tradition...you have a connection to the past. There are plaques, the clubhouse is "old school" and even the bridges are named after people. This is the plaque on the 13th bridge dedicated to the great man and golfer, Byron Nelson.

THE NELSON BRIDGE AT NO. 13 TEE
THIS BRIDGE DEDICATED APRIL 2, 1958, TO COMMEMORATE BYRON NELSON'S SPECTACULAR PLAY ON THESE TWO HOLES (12 - 13) WHEN HE SCORED 2-3 TO PICK UP SIX STROKES ON RALPH GULDAHL AND WIN THE 1937 MASTERS TOURNAMENT. IN RECOGNITION ALSO TO GULDAHL, WHO CAME BACK WITH AN EAGLE 3 ON 13 TO GAIN WINNING POSITION IN 1939.



Some say the course has in recent years been made too difficult and that has cut down on the drama of the final nine holes on Sunday. I hope they will look at this and redo some of the latter day modifications. Even with those changes it is still a spectacular course. It is interesting that it really does not have a rough...it has a "second cut" and then pine needles under the trees.

The crowds are better at The Masters and show more respect for the game and humanity in general. The tradition allows you to leave your folding chair in a designated area by the green and when you return it will still be there. The concession stands are hidden in the trees and the prices are very low. The pimento cheese sandwiches are a must. Note the picture of my grandson when he was a little guy in a Masters shirt. I hope he will get to experience the tradition of The Masters some day.

To me The Masters marks the official start of spring. I think Tiger will be hard to beat.

1 comment:

Amy said...

That was an awesome shirt.