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

Secong day of practice at The Masters

Our second day at the practice for The Masters. There has been a bad storm in the night - A heard it and saw the lightning, but I woke thinking the noise was just the unaccustomed air conditioning and turned over to go back to sleep! An early start, nevertheless with a swift buffet breakfast and the first bus down to the course. We saw storm damage in the shape of trees and branches down, but there was plenty of clearing up going on.

 We followed the same plan, starting off at the practice ground, then out onto the course to follow some of the groups practicing.

It was much cooler today in the beginning, but by midday the sun was out and the temperature went up.

More skimming on the 16th, but no 'holes-in-one'. At the end of the day we walked back through the car parks to take the bus back to the Inn and discovered another great dinner by the pool. This time slow-cooked pork with mash and veggies. A glass of wine and some good company rounded everything off in grand style.





The Masters
Augusta
Augusta National
Premier Sports
Hampton Inn

Going to the practice for The Masters

It's been a fabulous day here in Augusta. We got up at 5 am and drove across from the Holiday Inn to Hampton Inn to talk to the folk about storing the luggage which went well. Then we picked up tickets etc. from the Premier Sports agent who told us that the hotel ran the shuttle and we could have complimentary breakfast. We found cereal, fruit and yoghurt, toast, tea and coffee before heading out to the bus at 7am, and down to the course for the opening at 7.30.

There was a very experienced couple on the bus visiting the Masters for the tenth time! They gave us some good tips and showed us the way to the Main entrance when the bus dropped us.

We have spent 10hours walking and watching the golf. A was very chuffed to follow T. Watson who was playing with Martin Kaymer, Andy North and Randall Lewis. Tom was in great form and started 'skimmimg' the ball across the water at the 16th. It was just like skimming stones at the seaside, with the ball bouncing several times off the water and then up the bank onto the green. They all had a go, with Martin Kaymer going last - and he only went and holed it. The watching crowd yelled and applauded like it was a hole-in-one, it was great fun.
We also saw Cabrera, Vijay, Jiminez, Ollie, Gonzo, Quiros, and many more. We got a sandwich by the main scoreboard with hundreds of other visitors and had to look for the shade, it was very hot. 
When we got back to the hotel (by the bus that took us there), the hotel invited us to a barbecue by the pool with hamburgers and hotdogs,various salads, and beers, wine and soft drinks. Also there was lots of bottled water and even cakes for dessert! We collected our souvenirs, ticket holders and Masters hats, from the Premier Sports rep, and then it was time to put our feet up.





The Masters
Augusta National
Augusta
Premier Sports
Hampton Inn