Today Jim and I had the pleasure of being  “patrons” at the Masters Golf Tournament in nearby Augusta. We left home at Lake Oconee about 9 AM, and were surprised to find ourselves at the Washington Road exit just outside Augusta National about an hour later. There was no traffic delay, and we quickly found a parking space in the free parking lot!  No wonder people love to stay at Lake Oconee when they are attending the Masters, it is such a simple commute from our relaxed community to the hectic Masters pace of Augusta with its scramble for accommodations and restaurant reservations . After walking to the Main Gate of Augusta National, we prepared for the now-standard American process of passing a security search. We had to remove our ticket so it could be scanned, and submit our purses and wallets to be x-rayed. I even had to lift my fashionable golf hat to prove I wasn’t concealing contraband there, either! No phones or cameras were allowed, so I am using older pictures taken during previous practice rounds in which cameras were allowed.

As always, once inside the gate, we admired the immaculate and beautiful grounds of the Augusta National Golf Club. The azaleas were not quite 100% in bloom today, but maybe they will be before Sunday. All the viewing stands, appear to have a fresh coat of paint, every blade of grass is cut to perfection. The gate, food, and merchandise attendants are smiling and greet all with a “Welcome to the Masters”.

After selecting a pairing sheet, we started our Masters day by sitting in the viewing stands, and watching the professional golfers warm up. We were shown to seats in the plush viewing area as we would have been at a theatrical event. After watching several young men hit impossibly perfect shots, Jim commented about the precision and length of the shots that the pros can hit.

Leaving the practice area, we got a glimpse of the children waiting in the designated area set aside for them to get autographs from the golfers. Augusta National is very family-friendly, and the atmosphere is one of quiet appreciation of the game of golf. The Masters allows ticketed patrons to bring one child between the ages of 8 to 16 to the tournament free. The child must be registered at the entrance.

We had the best pimento cheese sandwiches for lunch! Even being a proud pimento-cheese maker myself,  I am always amazed at the famous Masters sandwich still made on white bread, and still sold for $1.50! We found our way to the Number 4, par three hole viewing stands and enjoyed watching the players manuever their balls to, and around the slick, slanted green and into the hole. Our favorite player there was Matt Kuchar, a favorite son of Georgia. There was not a cloud in the sky, and the temperature was hovering around 70, a perfect day to watch and play golf.

On the way back to the entrance, we stopped to observe Justin Rose hit his second shot that had missed the fairway off his tee shot. The “rough” at Augusta National looks better than our lawn. We wondered if he could hit over some tall pine trees to reach the green. No problem, he asked for an iron, hit the ball solidly, and perfectly steered the ball over the trees. After purchasing Masters hats for family and friends, we made our way back to the parking lot and successfully found our car. Driving through an old Augusta neighborhood back to I-20 and home, I was in awe of the beautiful homes and lawns in bloom that we saw.

The trip back to the Lake Oconee area was pleasant, and we were so thankful that we got to enjoy another day at the Masters Golf  Tournament.

 

 

For more information about any Lake Oconee Homes for Sale , call Suzie (706-347-1115) or Jim (706-453-6253) Through our Multiple Listing Service, we have the key to any home for sale. We hope you can be here for the Masters next year!

RE/MAX Lake Oconee Agents Realty 706-454-7777

 

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