Published: April 26, 2008 09:01 pm            

The Masters: An experience like no other

The Masters is a tradition like no other, I’ve heard that many times over the years. After attending the opening round; it’s much more. It’s an experience like no other; a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The Masters is tagged as the toughest ticket to any sporting event. Getting one is not easy and now I understand why.

Attending The Masters for first time was a real treat. Our foursome for the day included my son Scott, Chris Jones and Mike Robinson. When Chris learned that my son had obtained four badges, he promised the world if he could go. Chris, a pharmaceutical rep, had never been and it had always been a lifelong dream of his to walk the hollowed grounds of Augusta National during The Masters.

Chris got his wish and kept his promise. He agreed to drive, pay for a night out on the town and the hotel rooms. It was that important to him. It’s The Masters he kept saying and saying. But could The Masters really be that great and worth it? Indeed it was. It was everything it was billed to be and more.

Chris, an avid golfer and a Georgia Bulldog, was like a small child on Christmas Eve waiting for Santa to arrive. He had wanted this moment for a long time and couldn’t wait for opening day to arrive. For 11 consecutive years, he had entered a lottery just to get tickets to a practice round and never succeeded until this year. He never ever envisioned attending the real deal on tournament days. He said it just doesn’t happen to guys like us. That’s why he was like a child waiting for Santa to arrive with his cherished present … a coveted Masters badge.

On our drive over from Charleston, S.C., and at the hotel that evening, Chris continued to tell us how lucky and privileged we were and what to expect even though he had never been to the tournament. Not just anyone will get the opportunity to attend in their lifetime he kept saying the whole evening. He truly was a child waiting for Christmas Day and couldn’t wait to walk through the gates of Augusta National on opening day. Now, I couldn’t either.

Finally, opening day had arrived. Chris was about to experience his lifelong dream and he was so excited he almost violated one of the restrictions — taking a cell phone inside. They are not permitted along with any electronic devices or cameras and the penalty is catastrophic to the owner of the badge. If caught, you are escorted off the course, cell phone confiscated and the badge surrendered to tournament officials and that’s not good for the owner of the badge. The penalty is surrendering the badge for life.

I guess that’s why we were so lucky and fortunate to attend and use the badges belonging to the Holliday family of Galivants Ferry, S.C. Russell Holliday and Christy Douglas are patients of my son in Charleston and are very classy and trusting ladies. I guess it speaks well of my son that this family would entrust us with their badges. We are very grateful for their generosity and the experience I will never forget.

You may think attending The Masters is no big deal, but let me assure you whether you like golf or not … it is. The course is immaculate and beautiful. The respect that visitors have for it is unparalleled.

If you are privileged enough to get a badge to The Masters, the concessions you will enjoy have stood the test of time. Where can you get fresh sandwiches (pimento cheese, egg salad and tuna salad to name a few) made daily for a buck-fifty and sodas or beer for two bucks … The Masters is the only place I know. It’s simple food, but helps make The Masters the institution and tradition that it is.

There are many things besides the professional golfers that make The Masters the premiere sporting event that it is. When golfers are on the green, it’s almost like time stands still for a period of time, even the birds and insects seem to know to be quiet and show their respect for the best golfers in the world. It is a surreal, but serine setting to experience firsthand.

If I had to choose one word that best describes The Masters, it would be respect. It’s about the ultimate respect for Augusta National, the tradition, the volunteers and the golfers, but most of all, the owners of the badges. Year in and year out, they invest in this tradition that is like no other. Without their investment, it is just another tournament.

The Masters has stood the test of time. It will continue to be an American tradition like no other and it will always be an unforgettable experience for those privileged to attend.

Nick Lewis is publisher of the Richmond Register. He can be reached at nlewis@cnhi.com or 624-6682.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.