The Masters: The First Major Golf Tournament of the Year

The Masters, one of golf's most prestigious, if not the most prestigious, tournaments will be held April 8-11. It is recognized all over the world and the green jacket is one of golf's most coveted prizes. Augusta National golf course in Augusta, Georgia hosts the annual event.

The City

Augusta, Georgia is a quiet, little town any time but Master's week. My husband and I spent a night there recently on our way up north in May. We stayed at a bed and breakfast in the heart of Augusta and had the entire establishment to ourselves. The owner, who was also a full time teacher, lived elsewhere and did not spend the night with us. For our breakfast, she gave us a coupon to a restaurant in town. The owner told us that during Masters week she gets at least twice the rate for a room; that's when she makes money. Schools close during Masters week and many of the residents rent out their homes and go on vacation.

While we were in Augusta, my husband and I tried to get a glimpse of the golf course, and especially the famous Magnolia Lane. We drove down some back streets that ran near the course and peered through a fence and bushes. To this day we don't know if what were seeing was really the course. We did catch a brief glimpse of Magnolia Lane as we slowly drove by the entrance gates to the course.

The Course

Although every golf professional dreams of playing in the Masters at Augusta National, there have been some revisions made to the course that many do not find favorable. It is a difficult course that has been made even more so recently with the remodeling of three holes, 1,7, and 17. These holes have been made longer. In an article by Connell Barrett in "Golf Magazine," Brandel Chamblee, a pro golfer and television commentator, said, "Experience used to matter the most...now it's about brawn...You'll never see a Watson or Norman almost win. It's simply too hard." The length is not a problem for many of the younger players but takes the tournament out of reach for some of the returning champions and fine, older players. Aside from this controversy, the course is eye candy for both television viewers and those lucky enough to attend in person.

The Players

There are several players to watch at this year's tournament. Tiger Woods will be playing his first competitive golf since November 15 just before his well publicized fall from grace. It is a good venue for his comeback as no reporters are allowed inside the ropes. No tickets are sold to the tournament and those that do get in have assigned badges. The spectators generally are very polite and discreet. Generally speaking the other players are glad that Tiger will be participating. In a Tampa Tribune article by Adam Adkins, Jim Furyk said, "We're all looking forward to having him (Tiger) back...We want the best player in the world out there playing in events...But I'm sure we're also looking forward to everything being back to business as usual..."

The defending champion is Angel Cabrera. It will be interesting to see how well he does this year. Ernie Els, Camilo Villegas and Phil Mickelson are perennial favorites. Els and Villegas are recent winners this year and Michelson is a past Masters champion. There are some young players to keep an eye on also. Matteo Manassero, described as a teen idol, is 16 and from Italy. He will be the youngest player in Masters history. Another young and talented international player to watch is Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland.

The Masters is the first of the major golf tournaments played each year. There will be drama as well as great golf shots, and probably even some poor ones. I am looking forward to it.

Sources: The Tampa Tribune

Golf Magazine

The Wall Street Journal, article by Reed Albergotti and Matthew Futterman

http://www.masters.com/en_US/index.html