A Tournament Like No Other...

Tour2ma

Spring is definitely in the air...

My favorite week of golf the whole year through is here.
http://www.masters.org/en_US/index.html

And even better, my Doc's given me the green light to start swinging a club, albeit half swing max for a little while. I am so psyched...

How many of you have walked the hallowed grounds of Augusta National? I was lucky enough to do so a couple years ago for a couple practice rounds. Memories that will stay with me as long as I am on the "big ball".

scottdawg

I have lived here in Augusta for 25 years. Ive been to the National several times, it is truly an amazing place. I would never guess a place like that exists directly off Washington road if I didnt know better.
Congrats on getting that swing back, hope your recovery goes well.

Tour2ma

Thanks, sd...

One of the memories is that long drive up the main drag to the course. Traffic is awful, but there is so much going on (Tix scalping, etc.) that it's part of the experience.

dcarlson

Congrats and good luck with the swing.

Mike Weir's win last year was one of those "Where were you when?" moments for Canadian golf fans. He's been a big star up here for a couple of years but to be the first canadian to win a major was amazing.

I was driving back home from a trip to Niagara Falls during the 4th round last year. I made it home in time to catch the intenseness of the last 3 holes and the playoff. Great Stuff.

Tour2ma

Thanks, dc... getting close to time for you as well I assume.

I hear Mike's serving Moose and LaBatts at the champions dinner, eh?

dcarlson

I think we're about a month away from the courses opening. Probably a couple weeks away from the driving ranges opening.

Something popped up in my wrist over the weekend. I've got to see a doctor about it myself. I don't think it's serious, I'm just a little concerned about my golf game.

Is Weir really serving Moose? That's hilarious.

I heard he was going to bring some canadian beer for his friends and family.

Grimster74

Can't say that I'm as lucky as you Tour but I'm sure as hell looking forward to my golf trip next month in Orlando. Weather should be beautiful. Supposed to pick up my new clubs the end of the week. A nice new pair of King Cobras custom fitted.

Tour2ma

Grimster,
Yes, I was very lucky. It was a business boondoggle where a service supplier picked a couple of us from the Plant. All we had to do was get there and the rest was set for us.

Stayed in a private home the supplier has been leasing Masters week for many years. That's a major business in the Augusta area

Of course the tournament passes were reserved for management a little higher up the corporate food chain, but who cares... you can enjoy the tourney more on TV. All I really wanted to do is see the course in person. I walked that mother from #1 tee to #18 green. It will tire you out. Wonderful rolling hills, until you have to walk them.

I actually was invited to go back the following year, but declined on the condition that someone who'd never been before would go in my place. I think it is an experience that every avid golfer should have.

Originally posted by dcarlson
Is Weir really serving Moose? That's hilarious.

LOL... I have no idea. What's the national dish of Canada, if not moose???

dcarlson

That definitely must have been one hell of scene.

LOL... I have no idea. What's the national dish of Canada, if not moose???

Waaaaa....

I don't think we have a national dish. I can't recall ever seeing moose on a menu. It mostly only comes from local hunters and you have to know someone. It's funny you mention moose though, over the weekend a friend of mine made 600 moose eggrolls with her mother for family and friends. They're pretty good.

dcarlson

Well, it looks like Weir served Elk. I've never had Elk. LOL....

Here's an interesting read of Weir's status up here. I just came across it today.

http://www.golfweb.com/tournaments/masters/story/7226958

Tour2ma

Neat read... Don't know about the "Weir showed up in a Green Jacket" part. I don;t believe they are allowed off the premises.

"Buffalo" Billy Casper probably enjoyed the Elk...

One of the coolest things about the practice rounds is on #16. After each group hits their "real" shots, the "patrons" all start chanting, "Skip. Skip. Skip." Any reasonable pro will stop at the front of the box and punch a low iron shot trying to skip it across the water and onto the green. When one makes it on you'd think it was a hole-in-one by someone in the final pairing on Sunday... Great fun.

dcarlson

Sounds like a lot of fun.

I love the PGA commercial of Fred Funk skipping a shot across a pond.

Weir was wearing a green jacket at the Sears thing. He also dropped the puck at a Leafs game in one as well. Are you sure they don't let it go for a least for the post win festivities?

Tour2ma

Possible, but I read a Golf Digest article years ago about Augusta facts and myths, and I was thinking that was one of the facts. Did the jacket he wore have the "Masters" logo on it? I am sure that members must wear their green jacket in the Club's dining room.

One of the other facts is that tournament winners are only Honorary members, and have few rights at the Club. An example of a right they don't have is the right to play a casual round anytime they feel like it. Something a few past winners have learned the hard way...

dcarlson

This is a great clip.

http://www.mikeweir.com/mediaworld/detail.sps?sid=450&lid=1&mwid=23324

Tour2ma

Yup... Clearly has the jacket on... Doesn't look like one from Sears either...

dcarlson

Hehe...

What did you think of the clip?

Tour2ma

Can't seem to find a program to play the clip...

scottdawg

Looks like a 60% chance of thunderboomers for opening day. Somehow though the Masters Gods find a way to bribe mother nature to get the full tournament in. The rest of the week is going to be beautiful.

dcarlson

You need Real Player to see the clip.

dcarlson

Oh... I forgot, the puck drop was for game 7 of the first round Leafs and Flyers.

Tour2ma

Extra incentive for me to view it... NOT.

scott,
Do your best to keep the weather at bay. I need my full Masters fix.

del44

Guess I'm not the only golf lover. My league will be starting up Tuesday. yippy. Any thoughts on a potential Masters winner. My moneys on Mickelson. He sounded really positive about his swing during his interview. Plus he's a lefty. Lefties rule:D

Tour2ma

Great tournament... great finish.

Ernie's going to win one someday, but happy for Phil today.

dragon1952

Hey.....2 lefties in a row!
I'm not too proud to admit I had a little water in the eyes watching Mickelson there....also watching the footage of Arnie's last stand. That was the best major tournament finish in a long, long time. Combined with Daly's win earlier here in S.D. it's been quite a year so far.

dcarlson

It was great to see for sure. What a final round. 2 hole in ones in back to back groups and the eagle from Choi were pretty amazing.

I have to say, after Weir winning last year and Phil this year, the Masters is my favorite major. What a putt to end it.

Tour2ma

Ditto on the Masters being #1...

I like seeing the same course year after year. Helps develop a sense of history.

I think we're finally seeing that translate to the "new" Augusta National with all the tinkering over the past few years.

I still wish they'd mow the rough down though. It seems to keep more balls in play and out of the pine straw than anything else.

kingkip

One of the best Masters finishes I have ever watched. I had a chance to meet Phil Mickelson when he came into my airport for the PGA tour last year, quality guy. Been rooting for him ever since, and very happy to see him win.