Derek goes to The Masters

April 4th 2010

Sitting onboard the flight to Atlanta with tickets to the holy grail stuck firmly in my pocket, I cannot believe that I have a members guest pass for the 2010 Masters. The next few days are set to be one of the best golf experiences of my life. I have been very privileged in my work to have travelled to most events on The European Tour calendar but nothing could have prepared me for Augusta.

As I walk through the gates of The Augusta National Golf Club on Monday morning, I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck begin to stand up. This tournament is run with precision by The Masters Committee, ticket holders are called Patrons and as a Patron of the tournament one automatically accepts the original rules as set down by Robert Tyre Jones in the 1900's that have been carefully selected to keep a certain sense of decorum. Security is strict, bags are checked and there is a strict mobile phone policy with all phones banned on the course. Although it makes it dificult to meet up with people without email and text messages, you do find yourself completely immersed in the days play.

Tickets for the event are sold out and the waiting list is closed so you cannot simply buy a ticket. I will admit it’s a little American with rules and regulations for everything but once I flash the Member’s Guest pass, I can see that I am one of the chosen few. The members of Augusta National are hand picked using a very secretive selection process which culminates in the presentation of a famous green jacket, or you can simply win the tournament which gets you a jacket and a pass to the Champions locker room.

One thing I really like about the tournament is that a large number of members are involved with the running of the tournament, they take on responsibilities of manning areas of the course and help make sure that every single visitor enjoys the experience.

On my way in along the drive, is one of the most perfect practice grounds I have ever seen, I can see all the way to the top where a few players are hitting balls. I have spent the best part of my life on driving ranges and practice grounds and this one literally took my breath away with perfectly manicured trees, seven full size target greens, flagged yardages, bunkers, contours and the most perfect pitching and putting greens. It turns out that in only six months Tom Fazio, the famous course designer transformed a parking lot into this practice range. Now you know you’re on top of the game when Tom Fazio designs your practice ground.

This is only the beginning and I can't believe my eyes as I gaze in wonder at the many sights during the week.  From the back of the tee  in Amen Corner at the 12th looking over Raes Creek and the Hogan Bridge to the massive elevation of the course around the 10th and 18th. The fall and shape of the course itself is unbelievable and something you cannot see on television, how the track drops and rises to allow for a multitudinous of shot-making is remarkable and not only do the players have to hit the right spots on the greens but they must also hit the right spots on the fairways.

Augusta to me, seems to be like a never ending staircase when just as you think you are at the top, another one presents itself and just keeps on going up and up. Like the sight on the banks of the 5th and 6th looking back over the 16th it is picture perfect and I catch Rory McIlroy performing the famous “skipping” at this par 3 was a treat. As part of the tournament practice days, players are chanted by the spectators to “SKIP” and on approaching the edge of the water that guards this green they attempt to skip balls dam-busters style onto the 16th green to see who can get close. I am fascinated by this and hang back to watch Paul Casey, Kenny Perry, Shingo Katayama (who knocked it into 3 feet), Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell. This is a tradition that was started by Seve Ballesteros and is one of the best things I have ever seen at a tournament. I cannot believe the crowds on the practice days. I would imagine there is somewhere close to 30,000 people each day and the tournament deals with them as effortlessly and without any fuss, whatsoever.

As far as entertainment is concerned I am reminded of the Par-3 contest on the Wednesday afternoon and follow Padraig Harrington and eventual 2010 champion Phil Mickleson who partake in this fabulous spectator frenzy. The players engage the services of friends or family to caddie for the 9 holes on 70-150 yard holes. Most of the golfers have very young sons and daughters carry the 3 or 4 clubs around the track. I drop back and watch the Molinari brothers along with the other Italian, the amateur Matteo Manassero who swings it on a rope. This is a great time to watch the players relax and have some fun. They laugh, joke and sign plenty of autographs and it is another great activity whilst at The Masters.

Another interesting thing is that there are no advertising boards anywhere on the course, there are no Tour Trucks with the large manufacturers names allowed inside the gates (they park across the road in a car-park). The food court is extremely well run and with prices for a coke, sandwich and a cookie all for under $7, it shows how important it it to the Masters Committee that good value is offered during the tournament.

For the remainder of the week my days are filled with trips to the course to watch my favourite players and then lunch on the lawn where my guest pass allows me to be among all the famous golfers and members alike. I even get a visit to The Butlers Cabin and watch the now famous Tiger Woods interview from one of the members cabins. I walk through the members locker room in the clubhouse, the pro-shop and have a drink on the famous clubhouse balcony (I also developed a strange addiction to Iced Tea) with a few of Augusta’s most polite and engaging members. My accolade of World Champion Clubmaker is very well received and recognised as the first ever guest of The Masters to hold the title.

So if you haven’t figured it out yet, this place is special and not because there is not a single blade of grass out of place, not because it is run by some of the most influential people in America, not because the tournament is the most orchestrated and well executed events in the world of sport. No, it’s because this is The Masters and it is without doubt the best tournament on the planet.