The Masters 2015 – An Outsider’s Look At The Inside Of Golf’s Mecca

Through the gate, past the range, and down through golf’s Disneyland.

No Mickey Mouse.  No Donald Duck.  Definitely no Goofy, and nary a ride inside the walls of one of golf’s most hallowed grounds.  But as I floated in to the place at or near the top of my bucket list of attractions, I couldn’t help but feel like a child experiencing the adult version of every golfer’s dream.

Augusta National Golf Club is perfect.  It lives on that reputation to outsiders, and up to it when you’re lucky enough to get in.  Perfection is their standard and they meet it across the board.  From the golf course to the practice area, concessions to the restrooms, parking lot and beyond, if the Masters is involved, they’re doing it right.

I love the Masters.  Since I started playing golf more than 25 years ago, the tournament, its green jacket, and the golf course I could describe in my sleep, has been at or near the top of places I “had to go.”  I wanted to see “Amen Corner,” Ray’s Creek, the iconic club house, and the course seemingly without an imperfection.  I wanted to see that second shot into the par-5 13^th hole.  I wanted stand behind the 18^th tee and stare down that intimidating shoot.  I wanted to put myself in Bubba Watson’s position right of the 10^th fairway where he hit that famous wedge from the trees in the playoff 3 years ago and say to myself, “I could hit that shot.”  And countless other moments etched into my mind from years of sitting and watching my favorite sporting event of the year.  And I did.

Two Fridays ago, I spent 9 hours walking, eating, and drinking everything Augusta National.  And my take from my first experience on one of golf’s most famous grounds:  Everything and more of what you’ve seen, heard, or thought about the place Bobby Jones built.

Sure, the course and everything surrounding it were immaculate.  And yes, the people either involved with or watching the tournament didn’t disappoint. (Imagine the Great Gatsby meets the Kentucky Derby).  But it’s the little things that separate the Masters from other iconic events like the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA Championship.

Can you buy a sandwich at the Super Bowl for $1.50?  Can you get an ice cream bar at a World Series game for a buck?  And when was the last time you saw a beer in an NBA arena for $4.00?  No, highly unlikely, and not since the Reagan administration … if you’re keeping score.  The Masters has plenty of money, and as part of their history they’re not in the business of gouging their “patrons.”  They’re all about the experience and they want yours to be great.

Everything runs seamlessly on the grounds of Augusta National.  You rarely stand in a line.  There are more cashiers than necessary when it’s time to ring-up food or merchandise.  And the coup de gras are the restrooms, which offer attendants whose sole purpose range from ushering patrons to available urinals and cleaning toilet seats immediately following every … single … use.  Sound over-the-top?  Of course it does, and is, but that’s what the Masters is and that’s what you and I want it to be.

Kids have Disneyland, but golfers have Augusta.  I like them both, but the Masters is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and if you get the chance like I did to see what it’s truly all about; take it, you won’t regret it.