Our Masters Golf Odyssey ~ Thursdays Drive Down Magnolia Lane

Apr 8, 2011 by

Thursdays Drive Down Magnolia Lane

How can I describe the first drive down Magnolia Lane?

 

Surreal comes to mind, heavenly, beautiful, awe inspiring all sound like clichés but these were the thoughts I had as we drove through the canopy of magnolias and passed the famous yellow pansies Master’s logo in front of the stately, oh so recognizable, club house.

If one is lucky enough to have “official” parking passes, you are allowed to park in the golf course parking lot where they pick you up in golf carts to take you up to the course where you proceed to the roped area just to the side of the Eisenhower Cabin.

This is where you wait with your chairs until you are allowed on the course to place your chairs. Once your chair is placed it is an unwritten rule that no-one will move your chair for the entire day. Amazing, but true!

Once the rope is released it is a mad dash – without running! We had decided we wanted to be in the front row on the first tee and due to Jim’s incredible speed and knowledge, we got our spots!

 

On Michael’s right was a fanatic golfer, like us, who is a family friend of KJ Choi. We had a great time for 5 hours with him sharing how we felt about Tiger (total dislike of his arrogance and ungentlemanly behavior on and off the course but respectful of his talent) and the swings and games we admired and how this experience (it was his first Masters too) was for us.

He shared with us that KJ’s and Matt Kuchar’s wives (Matt was also playing with Tiger and KJ) thought that they decided to put Tiger with KJ and Matt because they were known to be two of the nicest guys on the tour and would, therefore, be nice to Tiger. I can’t even imagine the additional pressure they had that day. He also shared with us that Tiger had requested to be allowed to stay in one of the member cabins on the golf course, no doubt to avoid the media scrutiny but Augusta said NO! Take that Tiger!

My favourite swings of the day were – in no particular order; Matteo Manessero from Italy – at 16 youngest golfer ever to compete at the Masters – beautiful solid swing, Rory McIlroy – swings out of his shoes, Freddie Couples – at 50 years of age the most beautiful fluid swing and he hits the ball a ton – 300 yards off the 1st tee, Phil Mickleson – 313 yards OVER the right sand trap – right before he hit Bones his caddie said, “I wouldn’t tell you to go for it if I didn’t think you could make it”. He had to hit it 298 to clear the bunker, Mike Weir – cause, you know, he’s our boy, and Tiger – what a circus!

 

The Augusta chronicle has a picture of me behind Tiger after he hit his tee shot – you will note that I did not applaud.

But on another public Masters photograph of Tiger’s Thursday first tee picture, June 2010 Golf Digest, page 171, Tiger almost got in the way of our shot 😉 Notice the guy in the dark golf shirt, white golf cap and on one knee….secret service and Tiger had 6 with the threesome and over 75 at the course monitoring the entrances and public areas, didn’t stop the planes though….

 

My favourite moment of the day was undoubtedly Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. They were the honorary starters and we were right up front to see Arnie hit first – incredible swing for an 80 year old man and then Jack…..

 

Right before Jack hit he turned to Arnie and said, “Now how did you do that?” and then he smoked one 260. Pretty amazing for a 70 year old! The rain held off for awhile but once it started to really come down Michael and I decided to take a taxi home.

Shocking flat rate cab prices just for Masters week, the cheapest flat rate was $30.00 for what would normally be a $8.00 fare! We watched the rest of the day on TV and we were so happy to see Freddie on top of the leader board and Tom Watson within striking distance.

Hooray old guys!

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