I'll bet 2 things stick in your mind---it's even more manicured than it looks on TV, and a pretty hilly course. TV tends to make it look flat. I was there in '96 and again last year. The smile on your face will go away in about 2-3 weeks! Dave
Despite some rain....I'm still Augusta-struck. More later when I get back to Austin....
Cheers!
What a great experience. Despite the weather issues, Bagger and me had a great time at the Masters on Friday. I've been to a lot of great courses, including playing Pebble Beach, and I have to rank Augusta National as the best golf course I've ever seen. Everyone knows about the conditions - which are simply amazing. But I was even more impressed with the design itself.
The greens are unbelievable! They might look big on TV but what the viewers can't see is the "effective size" of the greens are very, very small. If the approach shot is precise - birdies can be made. If the approach shot is off just a little - pay the penalty!
We saw a lot of play on the back 9 before the rains came. VJ, Phil, Sergio, Langer, and many others. After play was cancelled that afternoon, we walked the front 9 tee to green. They are all great holes.
Watching all of the players on the practice area was a lot of fun. Tiger, Ernie, VJ, Phil, Davis Love, Freddy, etc, etc. Talk about precision!
And of course there is the whole aura of the Masters itself. You can tell you are in a special place with special patrons and players.
Yoda - thank you very much for making this possible!
I had a first too! I had a badge for Saturday. Friday morning I'm sick as DAWG. Fever 102. Hadn't been to the Doctor since my 9th grade hoops physical . . . and I'm 34. I have been afraid of the rubber glove snapping . But I decided if there was a time for doctors this was it. After two bottles of pills and a shot in the butt, doc says "you can be sick in Augusta just as good as you can be sick at home." Now that's a real doctor!
I had a first too! I had a badge for Saturday. Friday morning I'm sick as DAWG. Fever 102. Hadn't been to the Doctor since my 9th grade hoops physical . . . and I'm 34. I have been afraid of the rubber glove snapping . But I decided if there was a time for doctors this was it. After two bottles of pills and a shot in the butt, doc says "you can be sick in Augusta just as good as you can be sick at home." Now that's a real doctor!