I could hardly believe this was happening. Augusta! The Masters! Stacie! Beep! Jacquie! Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O.K. pal calm down. First class from San Jose to Atlanta. A rental car ride to Champions Retreat. Cocktails on the veranda. I could hardly sleep on Sunday night. Stacie and I checked into our hotel and went down for a nice dinner. We were both pretty beat from the flight and wonderful day at Champions watching the Augusta State golf tournament. We met Fleming at the course and he walked me out to his car and handed me the badges. Fleming Norvell is a friend I met while playing in the Tradition Invitational. Matt and Kim Rocca introduced us to the Norvells. We hit it off due to our mutual love of golf history and an intense desire to promelgate the game of golf.
These badges are special, they are handed down from generation to generation. They are revokable at any time. Of course these badges in my hands were as good as Fleming having them. Monday morning is the first day of practice rounds. Michael and Jacquie would not be joining us until Tuesday. Stacie and I proceeded along the directions, passed Magnolia Lane and drove into the local parking area............PASSED MAGNOLIA LANE!!! My God we're at the Masters! I was dressed in Kaki pants and a Tommy Bahama shirt. Can you believe I even know what I was wearing?
We were at the gate at 8:00 a.m. sharp. It felt like I was 6 again and entering Disneyland. Stacie said I made some kind of a squeeking sound. That's o.k. I heard the same sound come out of other guys walking in with me. After doing major damage in the pro-shop, off we went. Where do I start? The most special thing about Augusta is that you are free to roam in any direction. We decided to walk 18 backwards. Wow! 18, 17, 16, with views of 10, 11, 14. I needed to calm down and enjoy the walk.
We certainly did. After walking the entire golf course, Stacie decided to have a seat at the 16th hole and rest for a while. I wanted to go back and learn the front nine again. For many years, The Masters coverage was back nine only. I knew every one of those holes like the back of my hand. I wanted to get to know the front a little better. I had only read about the holes as well as seen pictures. Off I went confidently knowing Stacie was o.k. The patrons at Augusta are the most knowledgeable, kind and warm people they will introduce themselves, tell you where they are from, share a story or two themselves, help you take a picture, etc. These patrons are the best patrons at any sporting event in the world. They respect your seat, offer assistance if needed. Cell phones are prohibited. Guess what? nobody misses them.
