Upon Further Review: Another classic at Augusta
For the golf enthusiast, this past weekend was more than one could imagine. If you live, eat and sleep golf, then this year’s Masters was the best thing since sliced bread.
The week at Augusta is like the week of the Super Bowl or World Series. Yes, there are other great golfing events — such as the U.S. Open and the British Open, but the Masters has a little bit of everything: Southern hospitably, southern food, beautiful scenery and great weather.
OK, to be honest, the weather is usually pretty sloppy every year — at least for the first two rounds. But it’s not called The Masters for nothing. You have to be at the top of your game to overcome the elements, and for the most part things have to fall your way.
Just ask Tiger Woods, whose chip-shot on the 16th rolled back down the slope and hung on the lip as gravity took over to give him a birdie, when it looked as if he would do good just to save par.
It was one of those shots that will stay in your mind forever. That chip has made Tiger the master of the Masters. The image of the ball rolling back down the slop and stopping for two seconds before dropping in the cup will be remembered years after those who saw it are long gone.
Any time Woods is on the course, you expect him to do something magical — and he didn’t disappoint fans on Sunday. But you have to feel Chris DiMarco’s pain. The man who has come close twice to winning a major will without a doubt relive this moment for the rest of his life.
Tiger is halfway to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles. Woods now has nine, including four Masters titles.
Speaking of Nicklaus, the Golden Bear made his last walk through Amen Corner Saturday, and the walk up 18 was a special moment in history.
Woods earned $1,260,000 for his efforts over the weekend. DiMarco took home $756,000 and last place finisher Craig Stadler earned $19,180.
If you’re looking at going to the Masters next year, you may be out of luck. Tournament or Series badges are sold to those on the patron list, which was closed due to demand in 1972. A waiting list began in 1972 and then closed in 1978. It reopened in 2000, and it closed back up in 2001.
If you want to shell out a couple of dollars, though, there are several ticket outlets in which to purchase tickets. Four-day badges start around $2,999 each and run up to $6,000 each.
If that’s too rich for your blood then you can still purchase practice round tickets. Those are sold in advance, and by application only. If you want to see the 2006 practice rounds you have to have your application in by July 15, 2005. But after checking on availability, it looks like people who sent applications in 2004 will be the lucky ones to see the practice rounds in 2006.
I love the game, and have been to two Masters tournaments, attending in 1976 and again in 1980. It’s a golfer’s dream, but spending thousands of dollars just to walk down Magnolia Lane is a little too much. Yes, it’s the Masters and if I had the money I would buy tickets every year. But if you’re not a corporate sponsor or have a money roll the size of Texas it’s hard for the average American to see Augusta National in person.
It takes a lot of money to see the tournament but even more if you want to join. It’s a very exclusive club, just ask four-time champion Arnold Palmer. Palmer is the only former Masters champion to be a member at Augusta.
Champions can’t even play the course unless accompanied by a member.
Yes, not even Tiger can play at Augusta unless he’s asked to.