Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Spring Break + Masters Week = Awesome week!

Last week was two of my favorite weeks of the year and they happened at the same time! Those weeks are the kid’s spring break and Masters Week. What that mean for me is a lot of fun in the sun in the mornings and afternoons then coming in later in the afternoon to watch the Masters coverage. It was the best of both worlds!

This year we split our time on two different islands on the Atlantic Ocean, Fripp Island, SC and St. Simmons, GA and I will post some pictures of the trips soon. The first part of the week was spent on Fripp Island with Meg’s parents and one of her brothers and his family. It was great! We rode bikes and the golf cart all over the island. We swam in the pools and the ocean; both were pretty chilly but still fun. Also we played golf on one of the nice courses there. Henry got a set of golf clubs for his birthday and played nine holes with me, his Papa and his Uncle Robby. He loved it! There might be a future for him out on the links?

For the second half of the week, we were on St. Simmons Island, Ga with some friends who also have kids. What a beautiful place! The trees all over the island were amazing! We also spent time riding bikes and walking around the village as well as some quality beach time. It was very winding on the days we went to the beach and that made it very cold so we didn’t spend any time in the water there, except for the heated pool at the house. The boys had a great time swimming, riding bikes and exploring the island.

I also loved it! I really enjoyed both islands and their activities. But I also loved the fact that we could have a full day doing things out and about on the island and then coming in and watching several hours of the Masters coverage. I am a complete Masters geek and will watch every possible show about the tournament and the course.

The first two rounds were fun to watch and ended with fan favorite Fred Couples in the lead. Since the house we were staying in had AT&T Uverse, I was able to flip around through the five Masters channels they had added for the week. I would watch some of the featured groups then flip to see guys play Amen Corner and then 14, 15, and then switch back to the regular coverage. I was in heaven! Then came the play on Saturday which was amazing! There was so much action on the course that I was getting a blister on my thumb from changing back and forth between all of the channels! The rounds posted by Mickelson and Hansen were incredible and it seemed to set up a showdown on Sunday between those guys.

Only no one told Bubba Watson (UGA Grad and fellow lefty) and Louis Oosthuizen that! Those guys played solid on the front nine while Mickelson and Hansen slipped back to the pack on the front. The triple bogey by Phil on #4 pretty much lost it for him while Hansen just kept slowly letting shots get away from him and those missed shots added up to dropping out of the lead and finishing two shots behind the co-leaders after 72 holes. It was exciting to see the charges by Lee Westwood and Matt Kuchar but they couldn’t quite catch up to Watson and Oosthuizen who finished the final round tied at 10 under par for the tournament. Louis made Masters History early in the day when he got a double eagle (sometimes called and Albatross) on the second hole and that propelled him into the lead that he would not let go of. Just when you thought the round couldn’t get any more exciting, they have to go to a playoff.

Here is Louis after his double eagle


On the first playoff hole, Bubba had a chance to win it with a 10 foot put for birdie but it just missed and they both got pars. On the second playoff hole, Bubba bombed a shot that ended up in the right woods and it seemed it would be an easy win for Louis but he also went right. Bubba is known for his power and he imagination as he was able to use both on his second shot. It was a blind shot off the pine straw and he had to hook the ball about 40 yards just to get in on the green. People who have seen Bubba play know this was not an impossible shot to get it on from there, but he did one better. He put it about 15 feet from the pin. It was an amazing shot! After Louis hit is short he was forced to make an up and down for par but missed his par put. This meant Bubba had two putts to win and like a good Dawg, he finished the drill!



This is the unbelievable second shot on the second playoff hole.


That was an amazing finish to an incredible round of golf. It is finishes like that, that make the Masters so special! I don’t blame Bubba for breaking down and sobbing after the round. If you know any of his back-story, you would understand why he was so emotional.


Here is Bubba and his Mom


Here is Bubba sporting the Green Jacket!


Good job Bubba and I can't wait until next years Masters!

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