Par 3 at Augusta

It's our last day at Augusta National and before going off to the golf course, we had to pack and leave the luggage at reception. Then we were back on the bus and heading down to Augusta National. It was another fine day after more rain over night and there were plenty of players on the practice ground to start with. Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson and Bernhard Langer to name but a few.

 We watched for half an hour or so, then we made our way out onto the course to see who was playing a round. The groundsmen were out spreading green gravel on the wet sloping areas to stop the spectators ( they call us patrons) from slipping, and they keep the course looking in tip-top condition.

We walked the back nine again, taking in some skimming on the 16th, noting that there were 3D cameras set up in a tree, as well as lots of other cameras being manned today, getting in practice for the main event.
At midday the first players teed off for the Par 3 competition. This is a tradition at The Masters and it is a fun event where the players come with family and friends to enjoy a little relaxation before the intensity of the first major of the year. We found a great place to stand on the fourth hole, but it was very hot and humid, so we had to find some shade, too.

 We saw some of today's players go by, but also some of the golden oldies like Ian Woosnam, Ben Crenshaw, Ray Floyd, Fuzzy Zoeller, Hubert Green and a certain Jack Fleck. Jack Fleck is the oldest living US Open Champion (90 years old) and he won it in 1955 by beating Ben Hogan in a playoff.The older players were very jolly, involving the crowd, getting youngsters to putt out for them and joking with the crowd. Some of the younger players had their very young families with them, dressed in white caddy overalls. Very cute! Mr. Jiminez was smoking his favourite cigar as he played.

Despite our needing to find shade, the day began to cloud over, which wasn't a bad thing to start with. Jack Niklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player teed off and reached the second green, so we were anticipating watching these famous golfers play the fourth when suddenly the hooter went off and the tournament was suspended. Apparently there was a thunderstorm in the area and everyone was advised to leave the course. It soon became apparent that the storm was headed our way and the waterproofs were donned as the rain came down. At this point the competition was called off and we all had to go home. A sudden end to what has been a superb three days at The Masters.

We walked back through the soggy car park and waited for the bus. In we climbed when it arrived and then we sat for ages in the traffic, taking over an hour to get back to the Inn, which would usually have taken no more than twenty minutes. We sat and had a coffee before packing up the car and heading out onto I20 and Atlanta. We were lucky to be going that way as it was relatively quiet and we made good time to the hotel by the airport in time for dinner at 8pm.


The Masters
Augusta National
Augusta