Masters Week

This is the week that all golf fans look forwards to, Masters Week! Even though there have been a number of PGA tour events this year, this is the week that a lot of people associate with the start of the season. It is the first major tournament of the year and most everyone will watch some of the Masters this weekend, even if you are not a golf fan. The beauty of the course, the high level of golf, the familiar and new names on the leader board and the prestige keep bringing back the crowds and the viewers. Also adding to the prestige is the fact that you have to win a tournament the previous year or earlier this year or win a major in the last 5 years to qualify. Not just anyone can pay an entry fee and play. It is by invitation only!

I love everything about the Masters! The practice rounds that attract huge crowds, the azaleas, the cheap refreshments, the par 3 tournament, the Champions dinner, the ceremonial first drives, the past winners who still tee it up, the hole names, amen corner, Hogan’s bridge, the amateurs, the Green Jacket, everything! In my opinion, it is one of the biggest and best sporting events in the world. It is on par with the Superbowl, March Madness, the BCS Championship game, the Daytona 500 and the World Series. But the main difference between those events and the Masters, is those are all events that have teams participating, the Masters is a golfer against the course and the field. Another factor that separates this major tournament from the other three is that it is the only Major that is held on the same course every year. Well, I should say the same course location since they tend to make changes to the course every year to make it more challenging to the players. This is the 75th Masters and I predict it is going to be another exciting finial round on Sunday.

Of course with Tiger in the field, he is one of the favorites to win. But you can’t count out Phil, Ernie, Vijay, Sergio, Padraig, Geoff, Trevor (who is defending champion) or any of the other big names in golf. I would love to see one of the younger guys make a run, maybe Anthony Kim, Camlio Villegas, Paul Casey, Rory McIllroy, or Adam Scott. Even though the start of the week has some ugly weather, it should be nice for the weekend. I can’t wait to settle in on Saturday and Sunday afternoons with a nice glass of white wine and watch the weekend rounds. Again, this is one of my most anticipated weekends of the spring!