April 9, 2017
Augusta, GA., home of perhaps the greatest professional golf tournament on the planet...
I know, the purists will claim since the game was invented across the big pond, the British Open is the Mother of all the majors. But if you've ever walked the historic, legendary track, inside the ropes or out, you might beg to differ!
The property reeks of tradition, dripping from the ancient oaks and pines, with azaleas surrounding their majestic trunks. Formerly a nursery until discovered by the great Bobby Jones , Augusta is a thing of beauty, even if you're not a golfer!
Words won't and can't do it justice, they say you have to see it to believe it. The T.V. coverage is as exceptional as is the service for those that attend, player or fan. Rich in Southern hospitality, the staff at Augusta National has maintained something often lost in todays digital world, customer service. From the pimento cheese sandwiches to the mandatory "uniforms", its a walk back in time to when manners mattered...
The 2017 field was rocked with World #1 Dustin Johnson hurt his back the night before the Masters tournament. His slip and fall was horrible for the player, but golf fans were not disappointed as the competition continued to escalate through "moving day". I write this minutes prior to the final groups begin to approach #1 tee, "Tea Olive" it's called as every hole is appropriately named, for it's flowering vegetation.
Veteran Freddy Couples not only made the cut at 57, but showing that modern bombs away golf is not only for the "flat bellies". Lefty Phil Mickelson at 46 was in the hunt for the first two days until his putter turned on him late on Saturday. Personally, I'm pulling for Sergio Garcia to win his first major, but would also love to see Justin Rose if "El Nino" loses his touch on the greens...
So we here at Otey Golf wish the best for the entire field, and that they all "play well". Those of us in the gallery will certainly be entertained by what I believe to be the "greatest show on grass", and cant wait to see who looks good wearing green!