Golf

Augusta National Golf Club…..The Masters….. There are thousands of golf courses all over the world but none are quite like Augusta National or tournaments as unique as “The Masters”. It is the only Major Championship played at the same course every year. It is a “good old boys club” for men with 300 members. A cigar smoking….card playing….scotch drinking…… golf playing ….rich…... men’s club. There are no dues...they just add up all the expenses for the year, divide by 300 and send a bill. (The member with the least amount of money is worth over $30,000,000.... Gates & Buffett are members) There is not a tennis court or swimming pool. There are no social memberships. In fact, you can’t ask to join…there are no applications. You must be invited to join by a member. The Tournament was first played back in the 30’s, as a fun time for the friends of Bobby Jones and its members. Patrons were invited strictly for their enjoyment. It is not a PGA event. It was never held as a means to make money. This is still evident today. The tickets are very cheap. ($40.00 for the Par 3 Tournament) You can’t buy tickets (Badges) for the regular Tournament as they have been sold out since around ‘68 and the waiting list for tickets was closed around ‘78. A Badge for one day is being scalped for $1,200.00. You can still get a practice round ticket for Monday, Tuesday or the Par 3 on Wednesday but even those are determined by a lottery. Only 40,000 sold and over 125,00 applications. Parking is on premises and free, food is cheaper than an average food stand, (see Pic), and patrons are called patrons or guests not spectators or fans. One TV announcer was banned from the Tournament for calling the patrons a mob, in jest. That was over 20 years ago and he still is not forgiven. No hooting or hollering, no running…just polite cheering and clapping. There are no souvenir tents..…there are permanent merchandise buildings. Every worker is happy and friendly. Patron restrooms are similar to a school restroom.....permanent, large, bright and clean. The grounds are pristine. I have not found a weed anywhere on the course and I have been there 3 times. No kidding…If I found one I was going to take a picture of it! All other tournaments aspire to be like the Masters. As you can tell, I am pretty impressed with Augusta National. This year we got to go to the Par 3 Tournament. (Augusta National also has a Par 3 Course on the premises and it is just as nice as the big course) It is just a fun time for the players who use their kids, relatives or friends as caddies. We were sitting right next to the 6th green. Watched Greg Norman (Caddie Chris Evert) get a hole in one, watched Jack, Arnie and Gary play together, …..really got to see all the favorites up close and personal. If you are a golf nut like me, The Masters is like going to the Super Bowl, Final Four, and World Series all at once. It was worth driving down there in the rain, snow and cold, a total of 5 days on the road, and a trip to the hospital, in Chattanooga, for 4 stitches…..but more on that later.