The Masters

[Shankster]

9 days... any change in the Favorite after that match?

[Shankster]

8 days! Get your entries for the #SpySlam in, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite hole!

[CarlH]

[Bosox04]

I've been four times, and I told my wife, that no matter how I build it up, when you go, it will exceed your expectations. Really looking forward to this years Masters. What a great week. Starts out with NCAA championship game, and ends with a green jacket!

[Nthpike]

Lucas Bjerregaard  -8

 

Looking forward to an underdog win

 

[Shankster]

7 days till Live from The Masters coverage! Just have to get this pesky Valero Texas Open out of the way.

Can you guys hear the birds chirping yet?

[TSauer]

^^ and 7 days of fast facts about The Masters. 

The Par 3 contest that takes place on Wednesday began in 1960, and the winner has never gone on to win The Masters in the same year. Ray Floyd was the closest to accomplish this feature, but lost to Nick Faldo in 1990 during a playoff.

[Kenny B]

2 hours ago, TSauer said:

^^ and 7 days of fast facts about The Masters. 

The Par 3 contest that takes place on Wednesday began in 1960, and the winner has never gone on to win The Masters in the same year. Ray Floyd was the closest to accomplish this feature, but lost to Nick Faldo in 1990 during a playoff.

Nick Faldo has 3 green jackets.  He squeaked by Ray Floyd in a playoff, and Scott Hoch and Greg Norman gave him the other two.  Faldo is so close to not having any green jackets.

[PlaidJacket]

2 hours ago, Kenny B said:

Nick Faldo has 3 green jackets.  He squeaked by Ray Floyd in a playoff, and Scott Hoch and Greg Norman gave him the other two.  Faldo is so close to not having any green jackets

Like the saying goes, "you don't have to draw a picture." Yet, he - Faldo owns three of the sport coats. Most players have none and never will. If I had won a jacket because some guy rinsed an approach or 3 putted so be it.  He did that...not me. That's the game. I win!! 

[Elbolita98]

I love to have the chance to play such course. If one day I can play. I would play with my dad becasue he can see what a HEAVEN look like

 

[Shankster]

6 days! The boss and I are doing a masters pool at work. Winner buys the first round of golf this year.

Also having our annual “Par 3 Contest” on Wednesday. Basically 3 putt putt holes set up. You miss you’re out.

Winner gets a bottle of Tiger Sauce Hot Sauce.

[tony@CIC]

Some interesting facts on The Masters in this newsfeed:  https://www.golf.com/news/features/2019/04/02/13-things-only-pros-know-about-augusta-national/

[StrokerAce]

1 hour ago, tony@CIC said:

Some interesting facts on The Masters in this newsfeed:  https://www.golf.com/news/features/2019/04/02/13-things-only-pros-know-about-augusta-national/

Can't say I've ever noticed this...I will definitely be on the lookout.

-“The trees are cut so they all lean in toward the fairway. Check it out! There are no branches on the outside of the trees!”

[TSauer]

Day two fact coming at ya!

Augusta's nines were reversed in 1935, because the back nine holes are the lowest points of the golf course, which made them vulnerable to frost.

[Shankster]

Keep them facts coming Tyler!

Everyone else feel free to take the conversation and run with it.

Let’s hear some experiences, fun facts, bring it. One of our most celebrated golf events of the year, if not the most.

And don’t forget to vote for favorite your favorite hole!

[plewis]

I am going to The Masters for the first time! Albeit just for a practice round but I am super stoked. I will be going to the Monday practice round. Does anyone know if there is a schedule that gets posted of who and when they will practice? What are some things that I must do? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Shankster]

I am going to The Masters for the first time! Albeit just for a practice round but I am super stoked. I will be going to the Monday practice round. Does anyone know if there is a schedule that gets posted of who and when they will practice? What are some things that I must do? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Awesome! I have no recommendations other than enjoy it, soak it all it, and eat a Egg Salad sandwich.

Someday I hope to go check out Augusta. Someday.

[StrokerAce]

4 minutes ago, Shankster said:

 

Awesome! I have no recommendations other than enjoy it, soak it all it, and eat a Egg Salad sandwich.

Someday I hope to go check out Augusta. Someday.

 

Pimento cheese too!

[downlowkey]

4 hours ago, plewis said:

I am going to The Masters for the first time! Albeit just for a practice round but I am super stoked. I will be going to the Monday practice round. Does anyone know if there is a schedule that gets posted of who and when they will practice? What are some things that I must do? Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Lucky duck!

A few pieces of advice (chronologically ideal itinerary):

1. Leave your phone in the car (I believe this is still policy).

2. Don't run... period (wear your most comfortable walking shoes).

3. Get your pic taken in front of the clubhouse (the longest line you'll stand in all day... more on "queuing" at Augusta National later)

4. Head over to the most beautiful driving range on Earth and it will give some idea who's currently on property for practice rounds and you can decide who to follow around.

4. Take a ton of pictures/video with your digital camera (extra battery/memory card is worthwhile). Nowhere will you find people more understanding of a request to take your pic in front of something picturesque.

5. As @Shankster and @GolfSpy Stroker have suggested, take full advantage of the last place on earth where concession prices are stuck in 80s. Last time I was there in '14, sandwiches cost $2. And cool Masters logo'd non-perishables like the mini moonpies pictured below were $1. They also serve beverages in nice year marked plastic cups that will bring you joy for years to come every time you open your cupboard, provided you don't throw them away... hint, hint. But lay off the $3 beers until you've made a full lap around the course. At the end of the day, seriously load up on the sealed concession foodstuffs. Your friends, family, customers will flip out over them and they only cost you a buck.

6. If like me, you have a long list of people begging for Masters merchandise, take advantage of the on-site UPS shipping center next to the Pro Shop and you won't have to worry about carrying around a pile of stuff.

7. Stick around to watch the incredibly coordinated agronomy ballet - it's another show in and of itself.

Other than that, have the time of your life. It will feel as if you are walking around in a dream. And it will be over before you know it. Queuing at Augusta National is akin to a slow stroll - there are lines for everything but they _never_ stop moving, it's astoundingly well organized. You'll be surprised how much elevation change there is from the clubhouse down to #16 green - I think it's essential to walk the entire course in order for your first lap but it is a legit hike. Every tournament volunteer you encounter on the course is most likely a Masters historian, fan, veteran attendee - so if you get lost they are a great help _or_ if you don't happen to get lost, enjoy trying to trip one of them up with a Masters trivia question - they are not easily stumped. My blood pressure is dropping just thinking about the place. Finally, I'm sure we'd love to get your unique take, so please report back @plewis!

[plewis]

@downlowkey wow thank you for the post! Hoping to do all of that!

[gaussman1]

Pimento cheese too!

Please see my unpopular opinion in this matter

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[CarlH]

[00sportsman]

That's a great post, @downlowkey.  I'd like it more than once if I could.  Great information, even for those of us who will never get to go.

[TSauer]

Another day closer, another wild fact.

From 1943 to 1945 the tournament was not played because of World War II. Turkey and cattle were raised on Augusta National Grounds to help with the war effort. During the war, there was not enough manpower to maintain the course, so they hoped the cattle would acts as lawnmowers and "trim" the grass.

[tony@CIC]

4 minutes ago, TSauer said:

Another day closer, another wild fact.

From 1943 to 1945 the tournament was not played because of World War II. Turkey and cattle were raised on Augusta National Grounds to help with the war effort. During the war, there was not enough manpower to maintain the course, so they hoped the cattle would acts as lawnmowers and "trim" the grass.

And fertilize the grass 

[Shankster]

Thanks for the 5 days till fun fact!

Just downloaded the Masters App, probably the best free coverage of any sporting event?

[patrickleeleep]

Spring is most definitely in the air. Even my apartments are getting in the spirit.




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[00sportsman]

1963 Masters highlights on Golf Channel right now.  I love the highlights from 50 years ago.

[StrokerAce]

Happy to see #13 doing well in the poll.

Very sad to read that it has lost its luster over the years; always thought it was the ultimate gamblers hole - especially in the final round.

This has been on my cubicle wall for many years...

 

And I was sad to read this update from the augusta website:
 

Going for the green in two at Augusta National’s 13th hole used to cause indigestion for golfers.

The final leg of Amen Corner is considered the ultimate risk-reward hole. Hit two good shots, and a Masters competitor can walk away with birdie or eagle. Hit one poor shot, and he can make bogey or worse.

The premise of the hole hasn’t changed since Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie designed the course in the early 1930s. Byron Nelson and Arnold Palmer each hit woods onto the green and made eagle in the final round of their first Masters victories.

But the hole has become much easier in recent years thanks to advancements in golf ball and equipment technology. At 510 yards, most players can reach the green in two with a 3-wood off the tee and a mid-iron second shot.

That concerns Augusta National’s leadership, which wants the course to play true to its Jones-MacKenzie roots.

“There’s a great quote from Bobby Jones dealing specifically with the 13th hole, which has been lengthened over time, and he said that the decision to go for the green in two should be a momentous one,” Augusta National and Masters Chairman Fred Ridley said Wednesday. “And I would have to say that our observations of these great players hitting middle and even short irons into that hole is not a momentous decision.”

Augusta National acquired land from neighboring Augusta Country Club last summer, and it could push the tee box back on the iconic hole.

The 13th hole is the second-easiest in Masters history. But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t caused heartburn for those in the Masters hunt.

Amateur Billy Joe Patton found the tributary of Rae’s Creek in 1954, and he missed out on the Sam Snead-Ben Hogan playoff by a shot. Curtis Strange found the water in 1985 and lost by two.

Even with a middle or short iron in their hands, players still have to execute the shot.

“The second shot, you forget that green’s not that big and water is right there and a gully on the left is just off the green,” three-time champion Nick Faldo said. “If you’re 15 feet off line, your landing spot, you can end up in the creek. So it looks like a bad shot but it’s not even close to a bad shot.”

Faldo famously hit a long iron off the pine straw at No. 13 to set up a birdie in his 1996 win. Through the years, the goal at the short par-5 has always been the same.

“You know 13 is a great opportunity, somehow you’ve got to make a 4,” Faldo said.

[Smellis745]

I'll be there on Friday.  Looking forward to it!!