A preview of the Masters
This legendary event brings joy to all who participate
The place to be: Golfers gather excitedly to witness this coveted tournament.—Lisa Vlooswyk
As the first major of the year, the Masters not only marks the true beginning of the golf season, but is arguably the most revered and sought after title. This year’s event will be held April 5 to11, 2010, in Augusta, Georgia. The tournament will be highlighted by Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf since November, 2009, after personal scandal rocked the number one player’s world. It may be the highest rated Masters telecast in history. The Masters itself is bigger than Tiger Woods, it is a tournament steeped deeply in tradition. There is a mystique about the tournament that surpasses all others. Every golfer wants to go and every player wants to win it. I have attended Masters week, Monday to Sunday, sun up to sun down—and I learned many interesting facts and tidbits firsthand. h3. Exclusive entrance The Masters truly is one of the toughest tickets in sports to get. The applications for series badges were closed in 1972 and a waiting list was started that was then closed in 1978. It was reopened briefly in 2000 and has been shut down since. Unless you are a member, player, guest of either, on the list for series badges, have media accreditation, have LPGA, PGA or GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America) credentials, or are willing to sell your first born, you aren’t getting in. Many of the patrons I met had parents, grandparents or friends that have had series badges for over 40 years. The badge holders don’t usually go every year or on all four days and often give their passes to loved ones. If you aren’t one of these beloved people, your options for tickets are to go through a lottery process for practice rounds by mailing your letter of interest to Augusta National prior to July 15, or to pay between $200 and $2,000 per day per ticket through e-bay, scalpers or event planners. The actual face value of ticket prices for Monday and Tuesday practice round tickets are a measly $36, Wednesday tickets are $41 and Thursday through Sunday badges are an incredibly low $200 for all four days. If you are interested in tickets for this year, go through an accredited event planner. Be prepared to pay top dollar for this experience. Quint Events still has tickets available along with access to lodging, hosting and transportation (866-834-8663). h3. A few regulations Once you get through the gates, the trick is staying in. The rules there are very strict. Running and cell phones are not allowed and cameras are not permitted on tournament days. If caught, the patron is immediately taken by security to the gate to be removed and has his/her badge confiscated. Fifteen people were escorted out of the tournament the day I inquired. Any other behaviour considered inappropriate, such as booing or removing/damaging property, would also warrant the loss of credentials. If you lose your credentials you are black listed for life and will never get a badge or ticket again. Every badge has a number on it that corresponds to the owner of the badge. Thus, the owner—regardless if he/she is the one who broke the rules—loses the credentials for good, even if he is a member. If you can follow the simple rules and etiquette at Augusta, it is a glorious experience. Food and beverages are served at depression era pricing, with sandwiches for $1.50 and beer for $2. Spectator guides are provided free of charge, and picnic facilities, water fountains and grandstand seating are available. Those who are smokers are in carcinogenic heaven. Smoking is permitted on the course, including cigars. Entrepreneurs capitalized on this and were quietly selling Cohibas out of their private humidors. h3. More perks Other fringe benefits of being a patron include the option to bring or purchase a chair and place it anywhere on the course. You pop your business card in a slot and once you leave your chair it will remain untouched for the remainder of the day. Although, be prepared for the crowds. Trying to find a front row seat to place your chairs first thing in the morning is a challenge. Grown men can often be found pushing, shoving and exchanging choice words to ensure their prime spot. The chair placing was so competitive, corporate attendees were paying the litter collectors $20 per chair to hide their seat under the grandstand and set it up the next day before the gates opened. The security guard on Hole 16, also a former FBI agent, discovered the “crime ring” after uncovering 32 chairs stashed under the grandstand on the 15th hole. The litter collectors were apparently being prosecuted but had made quite a tidy sum in the process. It is a haven for creative entrepreneurs. John Daly has been known to park his trailer on the front lawn of Hooters all week. His merchandise sells like hot cakes and he has sold out of his trademark boxers early in the week that say “Grip it” on the front and “Rip it” on the back. Professional e-bayers see the Masters as a treasure trove. Hoping to sell Masters Flags with the winner’s autograph, scalpers have bags and pockets filled with over 50 flags and get each one signed by a different player in hopes to hit the jack-pot. Autographs are only allowed near the driving range so scalpers were even paying off children to squirm their way to the front row and play the “innocent kid” card to players. It worked. Many players are well aware of the autograph sellers and have strict policies. Tom Watson wouldn’t sign flags, Jim Furyk wouldn’t sign balls and 1987 Masters Champion Larry Mize insisted on personalizing his autograph and adding a biblical reference. h3. Tricks of the trade Practice rounds are also a great way to see trick shots. Monday through Wednesday any player coming through the 16th tee will receive a loud chant, “skip, skip, skip.” Players then skip the ball across the water on the par 3 hole much to the joy and amusement of the patrons. If after the cut there are an uneven number of players in the field, a “non-competing marker,” Augusta National’s reigning Club Champion, will be called up to play so that no Tour player plays alone. Augusta National truly is considered hallowed ground by most golfers. One of the patrons was spotted pouring a jar full of dust in the rough on Amen Corner. He was overheard saying, “Now you’re in heaven, Dad.” Overall the Masters experience is magical! Amen Corner is every bit as breathtaking as you imagine it to be. The azaleas in full bloom are like perfectly perched brilliant pink butterflies. The greens are a delightful combination of rolling hills and skating rinks and the fairways look like lush pristine emerald green carpets without a hair out of place. You would be hard pressed to find anything that remotely resembles a weed on the entire course. It is a must-see. Make it one of your 10 Things in Life to Do, before you are sprinkled there, you won’t be disappointed!