Sunday
Golf combines two favorite American pastimes: taking long walks and hitting things with a stick.
P.J. O'Rourke
I was reminded of this remark while watching the final stages of the The Masters. Britain's Justin Rose is currently just behind the leader. One of these days, I tell myself, I am going to pay a visit to Augusta and soak up the atmosphere.
Don't worry, given the current climate in the UK he'll probably lose and then have to apologise to his competitors for taking up their valuable time in not losing quickly enough.
Posted by Julian Taylor at April 9, 2007 12:01 AM
I've been to Augusta for a couple of practice rounds. The rough there is smoother than most greens I've putted on. I even got hit by a golf ball from Gary Player's driver.(It just rolled into me - no great story there!)
Posted by COD at April 9, 2007 03:36 AM
I am afraid that it would be disappointing now. The crowds are so huge that it would be hard to get around and see the course.
I was fortunate enough to be there many years ago, during the early years of Player and Palmer (before Nicklaus). At that time you could pick one of the lesser names and follow him through his entire round. To me that was the best way to watch a tournament, since you could see the entire course plus tune to the players' strategy and emotions. Or if you tired of that you could move from one to the other of the famous greens; e.g., the 12th or 15th and watch the field come past.
As an added bonus, most of the gallery were true golf fans. I never heard a shouted "go in the hole" the entire week.
It is a fantastic setting and one of the more beautiful places on earth when the azaleas are in bloom, as they normally are this time of the year.
Posted by OldflyerBob at April 9, 2007 04:39 AM
I have belonged to several golf clubs and know that the average member is a double figure handicap player, however good or bad or prestigious the course is.
So whenever I watch the Masters I think of all the multi-millionaire Rabbits (cos you have to have a few bob to be a member of Augusta) who must play the course the other 51 weeks, as they watch yet another ball roll off the 12th and into the water, having pitched only a foot from the hole.
Hell, only two of the pros were under par this week! What does the average club members card look like on a monthly Medal!!
Real good Clyde 125 ! I'm looking to shoot the low 110s myself.
Posted by RAB at April 9, 2007 11:24 PM
Augusta would be incredible to actually experience. What about the other American pass times? I could think of 3 right off the bat that relate to golf!
Posted by Richard Martin at April 19, 2007 05:17 PM
