Watching the Masters... With a Healthy Dose of Reality

Watching the Masters... on television and online... is not quite the same for me this year.

Augusta National still looks sublime, as it no doubt always will, but this year its sublimity is contained, in a certain sense, by my not-too-distant memories of actually being there.

It's not that the velvety green of the fairways is any less vivid than it was... the azaleas are every bit as bright and the Masters song just as evocative... but for me, there's a difference.

After spending four sultry days there in 2011, strolling narrow paths through the towering loblolly pines, stopping regularly for icy pink lemonades and spending time before and after the tournament in the town of Augusta and the rural countryside that surrounds it, The Masters is real to me now in a way that, makes it more tangible... and consequently, less magical.

If you've attended the tournament you probably know what I mean, or you may have experienced a similar sensation after visiting Paris or Hawaii... or even Disney World... for the first time.  When you grow up hearing, reading and catching carefully edited glimpses of a place purported to be magical, finally visiting that place... in the flesh... inevitably and forever changes the way you think of it.

Up till now my impressions of The Masters, and the classic MacKenzie course it's played on, were based entirely on the florid distillation of stories and imagery that came out of Augusta each year.  It existed in my mind as a completely insular place, a kind of Brigadoon that appeared out of the mist, annually, for one week in early April, then disappeared until the following Spring... when we'd once again be able to briefly experience that cloistered corner of the world with it's well preserved traditions and old-fashioned sensibilities.

The thing is,  I now realize that Augusta National during The Masters does feel magical from the inside.  Like the fictional highland hamlet of Brigadoon it's quaint and beautiful, and the Scottish villagers patrons really do seem to be harboring some sort of mysterious secret.  

Downtown Augusta

However, upon leaving the grounds each day... in the inevitable cloud of bliss a day at the Masters brings with it... a one encounters something a bit unsettling: reality.  It's right outside the gates and it's just the normal reality of life in an American city, and Augusta apart from the Masters is a contemporary Southern river city.  As in many cities though out the US, the big box retailers and ubiquitous chain restaurants make it a tough go for the small independent retailers. In downtown, one comes upon numerous empty store fronts, and some of the charming old wood houses are in woeful disrepair.  Meanwhile gentrification has resulted in leafy suburbs lined with stately homes and a revitalized Riverfront... and the hospitality and charm of the Augustans is truly heartwarming. 

So that's where the reality intersects with the fantasy, and if you're like me, once you've experienced it you'll find your Master's viewing experience has changed, just a bit... which in the end is probably a good thing.

Multifarious Masters Musings from the Folks on Twitter

Last year I was in Augusta at this time.  This year my current writing job has kept me in CT... with a deadline that's making it difficult for me to do more than take an occasional glimpse at the livestream and perform a periodic #Masters Twitter search. 

Augusta... not surprisingly... looks beautiful, but it's way too early to get a sense of how things'll play out.  At least Twitter provided me with a measure of consolation on my current plight.  In the misery-loves-company sense.

Those who find themselves at work... or school... and far from the lush fairways of Augusta may (or may not) take comfort in the fact that they're not alone:

Work is really getting in the way of watching the Masters #worksucks
— Keith Kennedy (@kkgolf32) April 5, 2012

I can certainly relate to that sentiment right now. And these.

Augusta National - A Beauty Both Simple... and Complicated

I posted this last year as I got ready to leave for The Masters. The real thing was more beautiful than I ever imagined, but I'm still impressed by the way this landscape came together.

They call it Golden Bell.  The narrow green...  protected by Rae's Creek in front and a cloud of bright pink azaleas behind... is incredibly beautiful.  Ben Hogan Bridge leads to the cloistered corner and adds a mystical element.

It's no surprise that many artists have been inspired by the 12th hole.  However the artist who created the above representation did so in a rather unique way... and it's quite impressive to watch.  See for yourself.

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Ernie Els, Ryo Ishikawa & the Irksome Masters Invite Issue

11/5/11 - Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images AsiaPac

With the Masters just days away, fans, players and members of the media are weighing in on the 'special invitations' debate.

The crux of the controversy, in the minds of many, seems to have boiled down to the special invitation received by Ryo Ishikawa... and the one not (up to this point) received by Ernie Els.

Interestingly, the two players being pitted against each other in the popular debate, happen to have a special relationship that transcends the current polemic. Having played mercurially together at the 2011 Presidents Cup, the likable duo became known as the "the kid and the veteran" and after two losses,  Els' insistence on keeping the pairing intact, was rewarded when Ishikawa summoned the steely nerves required to birdie the final three holes and win their last match together. 

The Masters, with its limited field and mystical aura, is the event every golfer dreams of,  and an element of controversy surrounding the elusive "special invites" is not uncommon,  with little hope of influencing the powers-that-be in Augusta, the opinionating doesn't ultimately amount to much.  It can, however be divisive... and perhaps counter-productive to the global golf cause... in the end. 

A couple of years ago, the always-outspoken Colin Montgomerie raised the invite issue with his "a la China" comment, which was seen by some players as anti-Asian, and... not surprisingly... offended many.

This year, the majority of players and fans appear to be taking a pragmatic view on the issue of the invite.  Acknowledging the attributes of each of these two players (and other's who barely missed inclusion) most seem to accept the fact that the committee at Augusta does things their own way and isn't likely to acknowledge... much less respond to... complaints, criticism or supplication.

In fact, the powerful men on Magnolia Lane are most likely absorbed with an issue potentially much more controversial than their decision on the 2012 special invitations: her name is Virginia Rometty,
and it's a fair guess she's getting more attention from the committee members then Els and Ishikawa combined. 

Note: Ryo Ishikawa fans (like me) can cheer him on with a personal message... here's how to do it.

Derek Jeter: Memorable Golf Shots & Augusta Dreams

The weekend's biggest sports story didn't revolve around golf.  That's not to says there isn't a connection, however.

When Derek Jeter  hit the 3,000 mark on Saturday at Yankee Stadium,  he broke baseball records and secured himself a spot in the baseball hall of fame. 

Golfers and golf fans may wish to know a bit more about the mega-star's golf preferences, and while those preferences have surely changed somewhat in the couple of years that  have passed since the clip below was made, it does give you an idea of the ultra-famous short-stop's golf sensibilities.



And... Derek Jeter's Celebrity Golf Classic has been taking place for the past eight years and raising money for children's charities.  You've got to admire that... even it you're not a Yankees fan.

The Green Velvet Majesty of Augusta National

John Updike dreamed about golf and wrote of his dreams in prose so lovely and lyrical it inevitably makes me smile... or cry.   Really beautiful things do that to me.

Since I started writing this blog I've read volumes on the singular beauty of Augusta National so I probably should have anticipated an emotional response, but my golf roots aren't deep... my family doesn't play and I first picked up a club a mere five years ago... so I thought I'd be fine. --->


And I was for a while.  I checked my phone and car keys, had my badge scanned and proceeded along the path to the practice area.

A couple of things stood out right away: The cheerful contentment  of each and every staffer, and the total absence of logos, bright colors and garish signs.  These elements reinforce the old-fashioned gentility of Augusta National.  Concession stands and shops are uniformly green... scaled to size.  They accommodate a surprising number of people without appearing overly crowded.  Lines move quickly. It's impressive. 

So are the hills.  The course is very hilly, which is something I didn't realize, despite the endless hours of televised Masters coverage I'd enjoyed over the years.  I passed the scoreboard and climbed the first hill.  At the summit I found myself looking down on a gauzy, multi-tonal carpet of green.  There were dozens of different shades but they blended perfectly across the undulating landscape.  For a moment that view literally... absolutely... took my breath away.  Clichéd as that might sound.

I then approached a couple of volunteers, having realized that without the cell phone I'd just checked at the door, I'd have no idea of the time.  Before I could ask for the hour,  they both smiled... in the indulgent, empowering way, a parent smiles at an inquisitive child as presents are opened on Christmas morning. At this point a wave of wonderment struck me. and of course,  I'm smiling too. And crying at the same time.   


Augusta National really does have a beauty that's unparalleled anywhere else in the world, and it wraps those who are fortunate enough to walk its fairways in a unique, verdant warmth.  I count myself extremely lucky to be one of them.

Once Upon a Time at the Masters

Image: Via HistoricGolfPhotos.com

No matter how wondrous a particular event or experience may be, it seems we're compelled... as 21st century humans... to move on quickly.  These days...with the availability of instant information on almost everything... our attention spans are shorter than ever.

The Masters, despite its otherworldly awesomeness, is not immune to this collective obsession with what's next, and that's where we find ourselves now.

The 2011 Masters has had its four days... its week, if you will... and perhaps more importantly, it had the weeks of anticipation leading to it.  These are the weeks of building excitement, when we discuss various possibilities and speculate on probable outcomes.  Eventually, during these pre-Masters weeks, we wind up reminiscing on past events and experiences, and to that end, I feel I'll have much to write about next year when the fervor for 2012 Masters begins. --->

For now however, I want to tell you about a few of the highlights of my 2011 Masters experience.  It was my first time time at the storied tournament and as such it'll always hold special memories.  I'll post these stories here over the next few days... look for links via Twitter and Facebook.

By now you've read all about the electrifying action on course, so I won't go there.  I'll focus instead on my impressions as a first time visitor... of the course and the people I met there.  These, after all are the elements that make the Masters what it is. 

* The Magic and the Majesty of Augusta National
* Of Pinched Chairs and Lost Husbands
* The Furtive Passing of Plastic Cups
* Luke Donald's Awesome Older Brother
* The Evening Procession of Massive Mowers
* Random Encounters With Patrons
* Spectator Style Sheet
* South Africans Sure know how to Celebrate

Image: Via HistoricGolfPhotos.com

The Otherworldly Awesomeness of The Masters

I left Augusta this morning.  En route back home after four days at the Masters, I'm feeling somewhat melancholy. Post-Masters blues? I think that's what I've got.
 
I'm currently in Charlotte, NC waiting for a flight that will take me back to the chilly, gray skies and brown lawns of Connecticut.

I've written about golf for several years now and have attempted... more than once... to put this trip together, but early April is a busy time for me and there always seemed to be a scheduling conflict looming.  Furthermore, my numerous applications for media credentials have always been tersely denied politely dismissed.

So a couple of months ago, when a reader/friend/patron generously offered me the two series badges he wouldn't be able to use this year,  I knew this would be my Masters.  At the last minute, my better half had to make an unexpected overseas trip, so I decided to stay with a friend who lives in big beautiful house in the middle of acres and acres of farmland, 20 miles south of Augusta.  This friend isn't a golfer but is a gardener and she'd been dreaming of seeing the azaleas, the historic magnolias and the Eisenhower tree. When I proposed Nick's ticket to her she was delighted. --->

That's how the trip came together.  And as is sometimes the case when things "fall into place", it was beyond perfect.  Ultimately,  I was amazed by the beauty of the course that I'd seen on a small screen each year for decades.  The palpable history, the aura of reverence and the spectacle of watching the world's most fabulous golfers on the fairways and greens of Augusta National made for one of the most amazing and awesome experiences I've ever had.

I'm glad I was able to attend the Masters as a spectator because in the end it allowed me... and my horticulturally inclined friend... to really experience the tournament, to walk the course and interact with the other spectators in a way that isn't always possible when one is working.

I'll be posting my observations... on the tournament, the fashions, the course and the overall experience... a bit later today.  Right now I've got a plane to catch.

The 12th Hole at Augusta - An Impressive Display

They call it Golden Bell.  The narrow green...  protected by Rae's Creek in front and a cloud of bright pink azaleas behind... is incredibly beautiful.  Ben Hogan Bridge leads to the cloistered corner and adds a mystical element.

It's no surprise that many artists have been inspired by the 12th hole.  However the artist who created the above representation did so in a rather unique way... and it's quite impressive to watch.  See for yourself.

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