Friday, April 9, 2010
Played at West Lake with Ron, Tim, Butch, Steve, George and Kelly. George Sr. rode around for 9 holes. Lost money to that Sandbagging Tim. West Lake plays tough from the tips. I shot 84 and Tim shot 81. We won’t say what Ron shot but it was one less than triple digits! Friday Masters welcoming reception featured Frank Christian. He was the official photographer for Augusta National for about 40 years. He shared many inside stories and pics with our patrons. A new group of new Patrons…most of them are coming to the Masters for the first time. We tell more stories and Bobby MC’s. Swapping out badges and running around for most of the day. Sam Randolph was on hand to also share some stories with our guests about his competitive rounds at the Masters.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Early wake up call and ready for long day at the National. Bud takes us to Gate 6. Since we bribed the Security guards at the gate with Wendy’s frosties, they let us slide in. We make it to the Oak Tree and study the new “post cut” leaderboard. Setting up to be a great Masters…Many past Champions in the hunt. We hang under the oak tree and watch them tee off of number 1. You cannot believe how far these guys hit the golf ball. When you chat with other patrons, everyone agrees that it’s one of the beautiful tee shots to watch in any golf course in the world. Kelly and Steve are off to follow Tiger like about 70% of the patrons on the course. We stand outside the ropes where the “pretty people” are. At the Masters, you must have clubhouse, trophy or member guest badges to have access to the clubhouse and the roped off area with the tables and tents. Very few are so fortunate. People outside the ropes stand around trying to catch a glimpse of someone famous, one of the golfers or maybe a very distant friend they think they remember so they can pretend to talk to them and impress their friends! While there, we meet Walter from Germany. He gets us some special passes…yeah! We’re in there when Phil walks outside the clubhouse. He has such a great demeanor with the patrons smiling and tipping his cap. It’s off to the course. We walk down 10 and find our place at Amen Corner. Chairs right behind 12 tee. Perfect view of 11 green. We have a closest-to-the pin contest between Ron, Tim and me. We alternate taking a player. I finished Timmy off when he picks Tiger and I “end up” with K.J.! Tiger hit it so far right…looked like he shanked it and K.J. was close.
Those watching on Television may have hear the very rare and random “You da MAN” on the tee box. I promise you didn’t hear that guys voice again. There is no tolerance for nonsense at Augusta! Three or four guys were escorted out and their badge was removed for yelling.
We’ve had enough. Kelly and Tim follow Tiger. They swear they are on TV. Tiger hits it into the trees right on 17 and they are standing right next to the ball. We haven’t watched the replay yet. On the way out, Ron, Tim and Kelly meet Hank Haney and have a nice chat with him.
I did witness something interesting. At the conclusion of Tiger’s round, he actually stopped and signed autographs while walking into the clubhouse! Really? He doesn’t even sign them during practice rounds, much less tournament rounds.
We witnessed something else leaving the course. You know there are security guards and ropes everywhere enforcing the rules. You never know who is in the patron crowd. Just outside the gates, we’re amongst the thousands of others who are sunburned and whipped. Many guys are carrying the momento Masters 2010 plastic cups proudly to show off how many beers they had during the day! Then, we’ve just walked over a crosswalk beating the security guard and rope. Safely on the other side, we hear “Stop there….RIGHT NOW…STOP” by the female guard. She was barking at Butch Harmon! Many soft chuckles by everyone and he didn’t pull rank…he backed up and waited to get the okay to pass. Kelly went to him and shook his hand so proud that he had spoken to both Tiger and Phil’s coaches in the same day.
Then comes deputy dog. I swear that the city of Augusta did an awful job of managing the traffic…or there were just so many more people there than I’ve ever seen. This guy standing on the corner of Washington and Berkman’s had a military demeanor. He was yelling at everyone…blowing his whistle…utilizing his one week of power over everyone. So many people would stop and laugh at this guy and how he treated the people walking across the streets and the cars trying to get through. Long day…few azaleas and beers for all. Ordered pizza in and call an early night. Sunday is really early and the leaderboard is looking good. Tickets are very scarce now…everyone wants to see the Sunday showdown and the weather could not be more perfect…Sunny Georgia skies!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Wake up call at 5 a.m. We meet at IHOP with Ron and crew. We were fortunate to get special passes to take everyone down Magnolia lane and get in where the members start the race to 18…or so we thought. Magnolia was beautiful…regardless. Turned out that we got shuffled around a few places before we found ourself crammed with hundreds of others waiting in line. The gates open at 8 and it’s chilly…we get to watch the sun rise over Augusta National. Wow…chills…surreal. Steve asked if I could explain what was getting ready to happen. Kelly and I said “no way to explain it..you have to experience it for yourself.”
About 20,000 people are trying to place their chair on 18. Many arrived at Gate 6 at 4:30 a.m. We are at the front of the “line”. Guards are holding ropes and the anxiety in the crowd heightens. Pushing, leaning…whatever advantage they can get to be on the first few rows.
They changed the rules this year and let the members place their chairs long before everyone else. That is a great rule. Last year, Coach (who is 85) fought the early crowds to place some extra chairs for Kelly and me. Some of the members have no chance against this crowd that will do everything to be in the front.
The guards give fair warning before dropping the ropes. If you run, you will be detained by three seconds. That literally means the difference between row 3 or 4 and row 30! It is off. The stamped happens. We are able to stay together and get on the third row. Kelly got off course and was on the other side of the green but also on row 3. I promise it’s like the Oklahoma land run. This whole event is over in 12 seconds…you claim your real estate for the day with your chair. It’s now 8:15, we’re in our chairs squeezed in with everyone else and our spots are set for the final group to come through…12 hours from now. Tim and I are playing assistant security guard. It cracks us up that someone comes walking down the aisle at 11:15 a.m. – chair on their shoulder looking for a spot to squeeze in. Most every chair is empty as people are running around the course. There are a few that hang out. I like to sit there because I’m whipped from walking the course all week long and my feet need the rest. People sitting there give a disapproving frown or actually say something to the many “trespassers”. They say “Really? We were here at 5 a.m. to get our place secured and you think you can come here this late and get a better seat? I don’t think so.” Security guard Jacob was all over them. A trained marine, he spots all of the tricksters that try about anything to sneak a chair in up close throughout the day. Mess with Jacob and you will lose your badge and your seat anywhere at the Masters!
There is something special about watching the final day from the 18th green. What a leaderboard. The sun is BEATING down. As the day progresses, more and more patrons fill into their waiting chairs around us.
We hear the ROARS around the course and try to guess what happens. You can usually tell if it is a Phil or Tiger roar and if it is at Amen corner or around 15/16. Then you wait for the old fashioned manual scoreboard to change…which gets another reaction from us on 18.
By the time the leaders come to 18, most of the patrons are trying to get a glimpse…so there are probably 25,000 people around the green and down the fairway. It’s done…THREE CHEERS for Phil! Great job Phil.
Monday, April 12, 2010
After a full day of sun and excitement, it is finally over. Another Masters in the history books. It was the greatest golf tournament I have ever witnessed in my lifetime and that was echoed by so many others. Our guests had such an incredible experience. I’m also personally fortunate to get to share this with my son, Kelly once again. Back to reality and start planning for the 2011 Masters.
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