The Augusta National experience

I was lucky enough to be at Augusta National the 2nd weekend of April for the 77th Masters. I was covering it for SuperSport, and just being there was an unbelievable experience. Television simply doesn’t do it justice. It’s more spectacular, in better condition AND more undulating than I’d imagined.

The tournament runs like a well oiled machine, largely due to the fact they’re the only major venue to host a tournament every year. In case you didn’t know it was Masters week, everything is branded with the logo, from the sachets of sugar, to the plastic cups cold drinks are served in.

They also look after the media exceptionally well. The facilities are top notch, and while they are sticklers for the rules, it’s does ensure they run a tight ship. They also run a rather neat competition for the press. Each year, the working media get to put their names down for a round at Augusta National the Monday after the tournament ends. I’d heard rumors about this draw, and upon enquiring, found out it was indeed true. So I did what any avid golfer would do, I put my name in the hat and said a little prayer… The golfing gods were clearly listening, as I received my invite on Saturday afternoon.

Not only did i have to fork out a kidney to pay for changing my travel plans, I also had to organise weapons. Augusta National does not rent clubs. Understandable if you consider you can only play there with a member, and they’re not gonna invite someone who hasn’t got sticks. Fortunately, after some asking around, I was pointed me in the direction of a local course, that did indeed help me out.

Not bad for a rental set. I also stocked up on balls, as I didn’t fancy running out with 3 holes to play, and having to walk the rest.

So what was it like to play the most exclusive golf course in the world? In a word, unreal. They treated us the same way they treat the pros. The experience started with Magnolia lane. Normally off limits during the tournament, we were able to drive down it, and were greeted at the clubhouse by a valet who took care of parking.

We got to have breakfast in the clubhouse, before being shown to the champions locker room. Sharing a locker with Sir Nick Faldo and Trevor Immelman was great!

After a few shots on the range with the rentals we were off. I also got to meet my playing partners. A commentator from China, the director of the world feed, and his colleague who cuts highlights. A nice bunch of blokes.

They had pretty miserable weather on Sunday, and I was expecting the course to be slightly soggy. It wasn’t. The sub air system they have in place meant it was bone dry. I was expecting the greens to be slightly quicker though, pretty much glass in fact. Make no mistake, they’re rapid, but that’s not the problem, the undulations are. Sometimes noticeable, sometimes not, I had very few straight putts.

It’s not just that, I found it difficult to hold the greens. You have to be so precise with your approach shots. Err slightly and you run off the green. Then it’s a tough chip and almost always a two putt bogey. We spoke to Branden Grace during the week. He apparently told some of his friends back home that if he put them on the green in regulation, but at a spot of his choosing, they wouldn’t break 90. He’s not far off with his assessment.

Unfortunately we had to play off the club tees. I had been hoping to tackle it off the tips. I’d played the day after the Joburg Open off the pro tees and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. However they’d taken the tees away, and even roped off some of the pro boxes. I understand its not for everyone, but it would’ve been nice to be given the option. I got home in two on 3 of the four par 5’s. I hit driver, 7 iron on 15, and driver, SW on 18. Just a small gripe, but honestly i wouldn’t have minded shooting 100 if it was EXACTLY the same conditions as the pros had.

Amen Corner was incredible. Tough, but highly enjoyable. Rae’s Creek, Hogan Bridge, just the photo opportunities there were unbelievable. The fact that I managed to get through it in 1 over par made it all the more satisfying.

So lets talk numbers. I shot an 83 off a 7 handicap. 11 over, on a major championship course (albeit club tees) and with a rental set. Not a bad outing. In hindsight I squandered a couple of shots, but if I’m completely honest, posting a decent score was not really first priority. I simply wanted to take in as much of the course as possible, get as many photos as possible, and just enjoy the experience.

I think I succeeded in doing that, and will fondly remember the four and a bit hours I spent treading the hallowed turf of Augusta National.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side

I love Bubba Watson. Always have, always will.

The prosecution might argue the following:

1) He beat Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff at the Masters last year, preventing what would’ve been a fairy tale finish, with Charl Schwartzel handing over a green jacket to his mate.

2) He’s a cry baby (breaking down after winning at Augusta).

3) He keeps on producing those “Golf Boys” videos.

4) He insists on doing up the top button of his shirts.

Valid points, but I can excuse all of them except number 1. I’m still acid about that…
In my humble opinion Gerry Lester Watson, Jr is one of the best things to happen to golf in recent years.

He’s one of the most down to earth guys on tour. He’s humble and always a pleasure to interview. As for his golfing ability, that’s not really up for debate. Anyone who has won a major is a good player, period.

He’s long off the tee, loves to work the ball, and plays aggressively. All attributes that make him thoroughly entertaining to watch. But he’s not just a gorilla that pounds drives well over 300 yards. There’s a story going around about his club manufacturers Ping testing him with a handful of wedges. They gave him a few of various lofts, bounces and shafts, without any identifying markings. He was able to hit a few balls with each before describing the spec of each club without mistake.

The latest from Bubba is a slightly different take on the golf cart.

I’m not a fan of golf carts, I prefer to walk. However, if they had these on offer, I might make an exception, just once anyway.

Off To The (caddy) Races

Golf is often labelled as an elitist sport. One played by overly austere elderly gentlemen, with little or no sense of humor. However one tournament, and one hole in particular, is doing all they can to change that perception.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale Arizona has been a regular event on the PGA Tour for 81 years. They’ve pioneered the way tournaments view recycling, by making these bins available all over the course.

They’re also leading the way in the spectators experience category.

The 16th hole, a tricky par 3, is surrounded by massive grandstands, providing a stadium atmosphere for the golfers.

It’s loud and a little raucous, and flys in the face of what the aforementioned golfers would view as acceptable. As an added bonus, the spectators are able to place bets on the caddies. Pick the caddie to reach the green first, and you can win tickets to next years event. Brilliant!

Those caddies that simply stroll up to the green are heckled and sometimes even booed by patrons that have picked the wrong horse.

The tournament is wildly popular, last year setting a single day attendance record of 173 210 people though the gates. Sure, more than 25 000 of them are crammed into the stands surrounding the 16th, but it does provide food for thought.

Tournaments will continuously have to reinvent themselves in an attempt to get fans to part with their time and money. Many could take a leaf out of the book of the Waste Management Phoenix Open and not take themselves too seriously, at least for one hole anyway…

Show Me The Money!

On Monday, golfs world number one, Rory McIlroy was unveiled as a Nike player.

The rumor mill had been in overdrive since it was announced last year that he and his club provider Titleist, would be parting ways. McIlroy, one of the worlds most marketable sportsmen, had been linked in a mega money move to Nike, but there were a number of hurdles along the way. Nike insist on a one logo policy. Theirs.
That meant McIlroy had to drop not only Titleist, but also Jumeirah resorts, and clothing provider Oakley. The latter proved to be the biggest speed bump. In response to the news, Oakley are seeking an injunction to prevent McIlroy from sporting the swoosh. In the meantime though they signed Bubba Watson and Zach Johnson to replace McIlroy.

True to form, Nike spared no expense in unveiling their new asset in Abu Dhabi where the Northern Irishman is preparing for the Middle East swing of the European Tour.
McIlroy said the move was not financially motivated, but I’m not buying. While the actual amount of the deal was not revealed, reliable sources suggest a 10 year relationship worth $200 million. That’s around $55 000 a day!

The sportswear giant was quick to start getting their money’s worth, producing an advert, playing on the seemingly genuine friendship between McIlroy and their former golden boy Tiger Woods.

Some might snigger, I thought it was right on point. Tiger needs to lighten up, and the sport needs a healthy rivalry.
Having the top two players in your stable certainly makes good business sense for Nike, but does it make good golfing sense for Rory? Some might argue that tinkering with the tools that got him to the summit of the sport is risky. I’m not sure it will impact him all that much. While pro’s are certainly fussier about their clubs, the major manufacturers are pretty much on par when it comes to the quality of equipment they produce. I guess time will tell. For those equipment junkies, this is what’s expected to be in Rory’s bag this weekend:

Driver: Nike VR_S Covert Tour 9.5-degree, neutral position
Fairway woods: Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 3-wood/15-degree and 5-wood/19-degree
Irons: Nike VR Pro Blades (3-PW)
Wedges: Nike VR Pro 54-degree and 60-degree
Putter: Nike Method 006 Prototype
Ball: Nike 20XI X
Apparel: Nike Golf Tour Performance Collection
Footwear: Nike Lunar Control

Monumental Mismatches

The domestic football leagues around the world are currently taking a backseat in favour of 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2013 Afcon qualifying.

It’s always a welcome break as often league football becomes monotonous, plus it also gives us an opportunity to see how the national teams are shaping up in between major tournaments. On the downside though, it does lead to mismatches, as some of the minnows in world football dust off their boots and try to hold their own against the big guns. Unfortunately, more often than not they are clubbed like baby seals…

David vs Goliath

Ireland are hardly minnows, but against Germany they looked like a school boy team. The Germans romped to a 6-1 victory on Friday night, with the hosts grabbing a late consolation goal to flatter the scoreline. The Germans are a powerhouse when it comes to World Cups and qualifying for them. They’ve lost just 2 of their 76 qualifying games, en route to reaching every tournament since 1954. Once there, they’ve made the final on 7 occasions and won the trophy 3 times. Friday night saw prodigal goal poacher Miroslav Klose take another step towards the all time German national scoring record. He’s now scored 65 goals, 3 shy of Gerd Muller.

I’m coming for you Gerd, just 3 more goals…

In another one sided match, England thumped San Marino 5-0.

San Marino win at scenery, not at football

With a population of 32 000, its no surprise San Marino suck at football. Their entire population would barely fill a third of Friday nights venue the Wembley stadium. They’ve lost 109 of their 115 international matches and are cannon fodder for the rest of Europe. They have just 2 professional players and are coached by Giampaolo Mazza, a PE teacher, who’s been in charge since 1998.
San Marino are next mismatched against Moldova, who themselves are far from good, but will undoubtedly add to San Marino’s embarrassing record.

In far tastier match ups to look forward to in Tuesday nights qualifiers, England take on Poland, Spain host France, Italy play Denmark while Germany tackle Sweden.