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Re: US Masters
Originally posted by Wash DC Blue
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We left Northern VA at 9.30am on Wednesday and drove just under 8 hours to Lexington, South Carolina where we stayed for the night.
Left the hotel at 3.30am and got to Augusta about 4.30am where we joined the queue at the South Gate with about 20 people in front of us.
The Green Jackets came to meet us at the gate at about 7.00am and gave us a speech as to what to expect and conduct requirements including no running to where we intended to go.
Gates were opened at around 7.15am and the hordes started speed walking...many straight past us as they were younger, fitter and presumably hadn't woke up with a bad foot a couple of days beforehand like me.
Got to security and our line seemed to take forever, we got through eventually with what seemed like hundreds of people in front of us and headed to hole 16 (Par 3).
There were probably around 20-30 chairs placed around the green, so plenty of space and we set our chairs in the front row at the end of the left hand bunker with the water on our right.
The pin wasn't set at this point so we couldn't really tell the best vantage point.
It turned out well though as we were pretty close to the flag and could also see the tee box. We could also partially see the tee for 17 (Where the trees fell yesterday). You couldn't see the hole without standing up though due to a slight gradient.
We waited till there were seats placed all around us and left them there to have a walk around the course.
1st port of call was the first hole were the honorary starters hit their shots. I couldn't see the shots but once the crowds had dispersed a little we saw Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson.
We then went to Founders Circle by the Clubhouse and had a photo taken (We weren't allowed to take our phones or camera's in).
We then walked back to the first hole where Vijay Singh was teeing off and then I nearly bumped into Sandy Lyle
A bit more walking then we followed Freddie Couples group for a few holes on 3,4 and 5.
Got some food which was very reasonably priced at around $3 for a sandwich, then joined a queue for the Masters Golf Shop which took about an hour or so (It was a bit like Disney light with the ropes curving around a lot to control the crowd and give the impression that things were moving). People were buying massive quantities of merchandise and they had a shipping booth attached so people could post their purchases back home.
I bought a couple of polo shirts and just left them by the side of my chair. Again the prices seemed reasonable.
From there, we found a place at Amen Corner where we could see the Green of 11, close to the tee box of 12 and the iconic walk over bridge that I think was Hogan's Bridge.
We watched Sergio Garcia's group and Patrick Reed's group putt on 11 and Tee off on 12.
I cant remember if it was before or after this but, we then saw Tiger limping down 6.
Another sandwich and a beer later, I returned to our seats and watched the groups that were coming through 16 including Freddie Couples group again.
I stayed here then apart from going to the concessions or toilets for the rest of the day.
Highlights were seeing Tiger make a Birdie on 16 right in front of me and watching Mickelson's tee shot land in the water just to my right.
We were pretty much burned out by 5pm so left not long after.
It took about and hour and half to get back to the hotel, went for a few beers and a meal then handed off the badges to the holders son at 11.30pm.
It was a long old day and the drive back yesterday was just difficult, left around 8.45am and got home around 6.30pm
The course was beautiful although it did smell a bit of manure which I guess keeps it in such condition. It was a bit hilly, but not close to what I expected especially compared to the Celtic Manor.
The facilities were immaculate. If somebody went to the stalls toilet...one of the workers there would clean it straight after the person left.
It was a wonderful experience and I'm pleased that I had the opportunity to go.
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Left the hotel at 3.30am and got to Augusta about 4.30am where we joined the queue at the South Gate with about 20 people in front of us.
The Green Jackets came to meet us at the gate at about 7.00am and gave us a speech as to what to expect and conduct requirements including no running to where we intended to go.
Gates were opened at around 7.15am and the hordes started speed walking...many straight past us as they were younger, fitter and presumably hadn't woke up with a bad foot a couple of days beforehand like me.
Got to security and our line seemed to take forever, we got through eventually with what seemed like hundreds of people in front of us and headed to hole 16 (Par 3).
There were probably around 20-30 chairs placed around the green, so plenty of space and we set our chairs in the front row at the end of the left hand bunker with the water on our right.
The pin wasn't set at this point so we couldn't really tell the best vantage point.
It turned out well though as we were pretty close to the flag and could also see the tee box. We could also partially see the tee for 17 (Where the trees fell yesterday). You couldn't see the hole without standing up though due to a slight gradient.
We waited till there were seats placed all around us and left them there to have a walk around the course.
1st port of call was the first hole were the honorary starters hit their shots. I couldn't see the shots but once the crowds had dispersed a little we saw Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson.
We then went to Founders Circle by the Clubhouse and had a photo taken (We weren't allowed to take our phones or camera's in).
We then walked back to the first hole where Vijay Singh was teeing off and then I nearly bumped into Sandy Lyle
A bit more walking then we followed Freddie Couples group for a few holes on 3,4 and 5.
Got some food which was very reasonably priced at around $3 for a sandwich, then joined a queue for the Masters Golf Shop which took about an hour or so (It was a bit like Disney light with the ropes curving around a lot to control the crowd and give the impression that things were moving). People were buying massive quantities of merchandise and they had a shipping booth attached so people could post their purchases back home.
I bought a couple of polo shirts and just left them by the side of my chair. Again the prices seemed reasonable.
From there, we found a place at Amen Corner where we could see the Green of 11, close to the tee box of 12 and the iconic walk over bridge that I think was Hogan's Bridge.
We watched Sergio Garcia's group and Patrick Reed's group putt on 11 and Tee off on 12.
I cant remember if it was before or after this but, we then saw Tiger limping down 6.
Another sandwich and a beer later, I returned to our seats and watched the groups that were coming through 16 including Freddie Couples group again.
I stayed here then apart from going to the concessions or toilets for the rest of the day.
Highlights were seeing Tiger make a Birdie on 16 right in front of me and watching Mickelson's tee shot land in the water just to my right.
We were pretty much burned out by 5pm so left not long after.
It took about and hour and half to get back to the hotel, went for a few beers and a meal then handed off the badges to the holders son at 11.30pm.
It was a long old day and the drive back yesterday was just difficult, left around 8.45am and got home around 6.30pm
The course was beautiful although it did smell a bit of manure which I guess keeps it in such condition. It was a bit hilly, but not close to what I expected especially compared to the Celtic Manor.
The facilities were immaculate. If somebody went to the stalls toilet...one of the workers there would clean it straight after the person left.
It was a wonderful experience and I'm pleased that I had the opportunity to go.
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