My Masters

STAYING THERE

So, assuming you have a ticket, what about somewhere to stay? Rather surprisingly, given the tournament's pedigree, Augusta itself is not the most salubrious area; in fact it can be downright seedy. Many players rent houses nearby for tournament week, but prices are extremely high, as is the case with all nearby hotels. It’s a once-a-year window of opportunity and such pricing is understandable. Like many others, we preferred to stay in a five-star hotel around an hour from the course. Getting to and from Augusta National by shuttle was easy, the surroundings were safer and the choices of restaurants and bars in the evening was infinitely better.
Packing can be tricky, as Augusta experiences notoriously variable weather in early April. We were lucky enough to miss a wild storm that ripped down trees (including a 150-year old magnolia) early Tuesday morning. During the tournament, temperatures hit an overnight low of freezing and a high of 33 Celsius. We wore shorts and golf shirts, and decided that if it got too cold or wet, we would buy sweaters, raingear and umbrellas at the course. In the event, we didn’t have to. Your most comfortable golf shoes are highly recommended.

ENTRY

Arriving at the gates and joining the well-behaved crowds and fast-moving queues, we had already been warned about the relatively draconian Augusta regulations, so we knew we couldn’t bring in mobile phones or cameras. More surprising was that we couldn’t bring in bags larger than that of a lady's clutch purse. Sunscreen went into our pockets; the hospitality centre conveniently stored our other items. Getting into the grounds was similar to any airport; metal screening machines were everywhere. The staff were unfailingly polite, with even the most fierce looking security guards smiling and saying, “Welcome to the Masters” to everyone passing them. Each attendee was given a very useful Spectators Guide and daily drawsheets and maps were available just inside.
The first area one encounters is the new practice range and this is definitely worth a visit. It’s probably your last chance to get this close to the players and see them so relaxed. It’s also the only area where autographs are allowed.
You then proceed through the Patron Corridor, past the Tournament HQ and Press Centre and the biggest golf store on the course, before walking by the main scoreboard and onto the course itself, halfway along the first fairway. A short stroll up the hill takes you to the clubhouse and the legendary massive oak tree that was planted before the Civil War. This is a favourite meeting spot, although so many people try to meet there it’s easy to get lost in the crowd.