1. How can you not love the Big 3 of golf? Arnie, Jack and Gary are the godfathers of golf and they're treated as royalty each year. I love seeing them together reminiscing, joking and basically having a grand old time. They so deserve all the love thrown at them!
2. The Par 3 Contest: How can you not love a golf match full of little cuties in caddy smocks? They're adorable! Also, what better way to kick off Master's week than being surrounded by your loved ones?
3. Jordan Spieth! The kid's 22 years old, playing in only his second Masters (have I mentioned he came in second in his first Masters?) and he's already tied the course record 2 days in a row and is leading the pack by 5. Not that I'm not rooting for my Phil, but I'd love to see Jordan take it out right. He's been on fire for the last year. I'm sure he'll have many Masters ahead of him, but he's playing his heart out. He deserves this win. (However, I'm still pretty happy that my Phil is doing so well and Tiger is, well...not so much : )
4. The course itself - Have you seen Augusta? The course's greens are so spotless they look like they've been painted. Not to mention the gorgeous pink azaleas that cover the course. It's just beautiful and serene, and I can only imagine what it's like to get the chance to play there.
5. Ace in the Hole - Jack Nicklaus not only got a hole in one on Wednesday, but a few hours before hand he told the press he'd work on getting one. The man is 75 years old and is still schooling the pack. Go Jack!
6. And an additional bonus for the Masters - I love watching it with my dad. Love that we both love it!
All photos are from Golf.com.
Some sports fans wait all year for the Super Bowl, others are nearly giddy during the baseball post-season. Me? I go crazy for Master's weekend. You heard me. The "tradition like no other" that Bob Costas has been touting in 10 second interludes for the last 3 months - that's the one. Everything about it is respected and it truly is traditional in every sense of the word.
Over the years, the game of golf has become a bit less gentlemanly than it has been in the past. With possible cheating scandals (on and off the greens) and public outbursts and spats, it's moving slowly towards all the other sports rather than the gentleman's club it was in the beginning. But all allusions to those behaviors are thrown out the window during Master's week. Everyone just sort of decides to be on their best behavior. I mean, wouldn't you if you were being watched by the ever-attentive godfathers of golf - Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player? Even though they've long since retired, they're in Augusta every year kicking off the events and keeping a close eye on the players and fans alike.
Then of course there's the fun. A dinner chosen for all the players by last year's winner - what a perk after fighting for that win! And you can't forget the Par 3 contest where children, spouses and significant others regularly caddy for their loved ones and the mood's so relaxed that players are betting with fans.
But come Thursday, it's all business on this most beautiful of all courses. The fans are more respectful - you don't hear any "Get in the hole!" at Augusta after tee off. The players are quieter - they're playing in Augusta afterall, this place is hallowed ground. And pace is a bit slower. But the sandwiches are always Pimento. The tea is sweet. Amen Corner is quietly hushed and the azaleas are blooming brightly. It's a sight to see and I'm just glad we get to see it.
Day One was a long one that started with no Tiger (side note - woohoo!), and some big players falling quickly behind the pack (Come on Phil, get it together!). But if I've learned anything, it's that Masters golf can change in an instant. I'm just glad we get to go along for the ride.
At work today, a bunch of us were talking about our plans for the weekend. I was the only one who was super-excited about it being Masters Weekend. For the most part I was mercilessly teased by those who just didn't get how riveting golf can be. I've said before that I can waste entire weekends watching golf especially if Phil Mickelson is in the hunt. But I'm even more obsessed with Masters weekend.
I think one of the major reasons I enjoy watching golf is that it's a gentleman's sport. There's no cursing or screaming or fighting and raging. This seems to be even more the case in Augusta. It starts with Arnie and Jack. The players have complete and utter respect for these titans of the sport. And having them there all week, to show the younger guys how to behave is just a fantastic way to promote what the sport is about.
Along with the seriousness of the tournament, they also take the time for fun. The Par 3 contest is another perfect example of why golf is so enjoyable. Allowing friends and family members caddy for the players while going out to strictly enjoy themselves at one of the most beautiful courses in the world seems like the perfect way to spend a Wednesday. There's a bit of a curse (the winner of Par 3 has never won the Masters) but for the most part, the players don't care. They're there to enjoy being in Augusta and getting the chance to play with their idols.
All in all, watching the masters of the sport, play a few rounds at an impeccable course is still a pretty fantastic way to spend the weekend...even if I am the only one that thinks so!
