When people think of Augusta, GA they think of the Masters at Augusta National. When I found out we were moving to Augusta, I immediately began plotting a plan to score Masters badges. They are elusive and when you do find someone trying to sell theirs the mark up in price is about 2,800%! Let me tell you that again... the mark up on Masters badges is approximately 2,800%! The Army holds a lottery that gives service members a chance to purchase a badge for the tournament day of their choice. I chose to put my name in for the final round on Sunday. All week I called MWR (morale, welfare, and recreation - aka the ones holding the lottery) each day asking about the status of the lottery. They had 100 badges per day available for purchase. I was drawn as number 135 making me the 35th alternate. There were strict deadlines for those chosen to receive badges and if they failed to adhere to those deadlines their badge was forfeited and the next alternate was called. BW (beautiful wife) and I had just gotten ready and were leaving for church when my phone rang. My number had been called!!! We were both in shock, I had checked earlier that morning and confirmed there was no way I was going to be drawn (luckily I was wrong!). After kissing BW goodbye I hurried out the door, the first tee time was set for 10:30 and I still had to go pick up my badge.
What I started to notice was the behavior and class of the fans. There were no taunts or jeers directed at the players, nor was there any cheering for mistakes made on the course (at least not within my earshot). The fans had a good knowledge and a lot of respect for the players as well as other fans. Each time a pairing approached the tee box the gallery would kindly greet them by standing up, offering a round of applause, and shouting out words of encouragement. It was neat to be a part of something so dignified. Now it was time, my all time favorite player was finishing up on the 3rd and walking right in front of me to the tee box. As Phil made his approach the crowd was the loudest I had heard it yet. I couldn't believe I was within talking range of "Lefty". He ended up parring the hole and as he walked away I heard a loud roar that seemed to slowly grow closer. Tiger Woods was working his way to me and his name was making his way up the leaderboard. I joined in welcoming Tiger to the hole, but he disappointingly bogeyed. After watching Fred Couples in the next pairing it was time to grab a couple beers (which are only $3 & sandwiches are only $2!) and head to my chair. On my way I rejoined Tiger on the 7th and in only a couple holes his following had grown significantly. This time he birdied the hole. For those not familiar with Augusta National, Amen Corner is the area in the southeast nook of the course that contains the 11th hole, the entire par 2 12th, and the par 5 13th. The Nelson and Hogan bridges cross over Rae's creek and sets the scene for what may be the most beautiful picture in all of golf.
My chair was strategically placed just offset of the 12th tee box so I could watch the approach to the 11th, the entire 12th, and the first shot off Azalea (the 13th). While sitting there the crowd off in the distance grew into a loud roar, and as the scoreboard was updated, our suspicions were confirmed. Tiger had eagled the 8th and was now tied atop the leaderboard. In a short time Mickelson, followed by Westwood, then Tiger, would enter Amen Corner. Once again the stars made their way to me, this time I was going to watch them play through my favorite stretch in golf. Phil shot par on 11 and 12 then birdied the 13th. All eyes were on Tiger at this point, if he was going to make a surge it would undoubtedly happen here. This would not be Tiger's day though as he bogeyed the 12th, one of the most difficult par 3s in the world.
After watching a couple more golfers play through Amen Corner I decided to go watch Phil and Tiger one last time. I set up shop on the back side of 17 so that I could watch them finish the 17th and tee off the 18th. What made this spot so good was that the walkway between 17 and 18 allowed for fans to be within 3 feet of the players. I found myself in high five distance of the two most recognizable figures in the game. After watching the tee shots on 18, I followed Tiger to the end of the course. Here I watched the competitors finish, turn in their scorecard, stop for interviews, and head into the clubhouse. Unfortunately I didn't have a clear view at the 18th green due to the massive crowd, so I decided to make my way back through the course. I stopped by the famous Eisenhower tree on 17 [named after Dwight D Eisenhower, only president to be a member of Augusta National, who requested the tree be removed because every time he played the course he hit it] to watch Adam Scott, Jason Day, K.J. Choi, and Charl Schwartzel. After Schwartzel birdied the hole it was clear that the day belonged to him. He went on to birdie 15, 16, 17, and 18 to became the 2011 Masters Champion shooting 14 under on the tournament.
I have been to many sporting venues throughout my life to include Owen Field, The Cotton Bowl, Cowboys Stadium, Arrow Head Stadium, The Rose Bowl and Wrigley Field. None however compare to the prestige of the Masters at Augusta National.
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