The Masters
Well this time next Sunday I know we will all be sitting in front of the television finishing off the last of our Easter Eggs with all communication off except the regular updates on twitter!
It is of course the build up to one of the greatest and most eagerly anticipated golfing spectacular Tournaments of the year on the PGA Tour schedule. The Masters has become the initiator of the start of the UK golf season acting as a motivator to spend more time on the game we know and love. We have had to endure the constant wet winters with often limited playing opportunities over the past six months so from a psychological perspective we feel the season is upon us with the anticipation of Spring like weather around the corner.
This Event is magical as it has the ability to attract even the non golfer who might as well have a go at one of the new golf taster sessions on offer as it is unlikely a golfer will be watching anything else except live coverage over the four days. I am very fortunate that a very close friend, who has been instrumental in my career allowed me to use these images of their official visit of which I am most grateful. These images have made up my mind and I will be taking a group to the Masters hopefully next year. I can, along with eight lucky golfers build up a memory bank of special memories of this amazingly beautiful and perfect venue. The fortunate golf fans are commonly known as “patrons” during the week with Masters etiquette known world-wide, no seat saving or moving any pre-positioned chairs!
The course management preparation along with Masters experience and shot making abilities will be instrumental in deciding who will wear the green jacket on Sunday. The treacherous greens, club selection with the swirling wind along with the inch perfect approach shots test the nerves and skills of the best. I have been told by those who have visited Augusta the undulations can not be fully appreciated on traditional TV. I have images of watching Greg Norman’s unfortunate 1996 final round on the 9th hole with a considerable elevation change, missing a green on the “wrong side” can be fatal so creativity within the short game and vision is paramount. The short par three twelfth with the stunning back drop of magnolias is thwarted with danger on all sides combined with the ever-changing wind direction causing club selection nightmares.
I have had an early look at the weather forecast as all Professionals would! things can change but the rain (hopefully overnight) will soften up the greens offering a slightly friendlier course with more attacking play possible. A key team member of the week is the caddy who has to wear the traditional white jumpsuit with the green cap and white tennis shoes whose job it is to know every inch of the course.
“Expect the unexpected” this sums up the week to me, with the roars echoing around the course ( living room!) the scoreboard constantly changing and as all regular golfers appreciate it is the back 9 on the Sunday evening which is the deciding factor.
I wish you all fantastic viewing and look forward to hearing who your selections are!
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