Masters Memories - Dave’s Midwestern Ohio Memories

A Series of Guest Blogs by an out-of-state Fish Report reader originally from this area about fond memories of growing up in Midwestern Ohio during the 50’s & 60’s

Masters Memories

The Masters golf tournament starts Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club. Having attended twice, and of course watching it on TV every year, the event is always the highlight of my (and many others) golfing season. The first time attending in person was in 2000; my wife and I were there on Thursday and Friday, staying at a home near the course that for the week of the event, was a quasi-bed and breakfast.

In other words, the home owners rented out rooms in their place to us as well as another couple traveling with us. During our stay, we were treated as if members of their family. The package included wonderful home-cooked meals, since all the local restaurants were booked solid. Pick-up and drop-off transportation to the course was provided and of course the package included tickets to the event. What a way to experience Augusta for the first time!

Augusta National was founded by amateur golfer Bobby Jones (L) and designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie (R), both pictured above. The course opened in 1933 to worldwide acclaim that has grown with each passing year. The aerial photos below show the course now and when it opened in 1933.

Back to that 2000 Masters, we had the privilege of attending the opening ceremonies at the first tee early Thursday morning where the legendary golfers shown below, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead, were the honorary starters.

In more recent years, the honorees at the ceremonial first tee have been Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, now one short after Arnie’s death in 2016.

My second trip to the Masters was with my brother in 2006, but this time we went on Sunday to see the final round. If I recall, we stayed at a hotel miles away to avoid the crowds. The best part was witnessing Phil Michelson make a putt on the 18th hole to win the Masters for the second time. The photo below captures the moment, and just to the left of Phil’s head highlighted with the red line is me with the sun glasses tipping my hat to the big winner. My brother was standing to my left so was unfortunately blocked by Phil’s head! We discovered this photo when we stopped for lunch at a restaurant the next day on our way back. The photograph headlined the sports page from the local newspaper, which my brother found taped above the urinal when he went to the restroom.

My brother and I have on our bucket list a third trip to the Masters someday, this time with our sons. We’d like to see a practice round on Wednesday and watch the par three contest. Our names have been in the ticket lottery for years and if we're ever drawn, off we'll go with our sons for one more trip down Magnolia Lane.