Masters Week 2015

Well, I got through the Monday-after-the-Masters!  It's such a depressing day after the gates to the most beautiful place I know are closed.  We had a wonderful time at the Augusta National...great weather, saw some awesome golf, and ate good food.  They certainly know how to run a golf tournament and of course they have THE best Southern Hospitality ever.  Seriously, from the time you enter the gates, you are greeted with friendly smiles and all the workers saying "Welcome to the Masters.  Enjoy your day!"  I heard this greeting on Sunday:  "Welcome to the Masters.  This will be one of the greatest days of your life.  Enjoy it!"  And...the course is just as beautiful in person as it is on television.

Sunday started with the Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship Tournament, sponsored by the Augusta National, U.S. Golf Association, and the PGA.  Open to boys and girls ages 7-15, this a wonderful program aimed at drawing more juniors to golf.  I was over at Mama's house watching the tournament when this precious little girl pranced across the screen.  Fashion is everything inside the Augusta National and I just adore her little outfit and bonnet.


This is a close-up look at the little bonnet with the Masters logo!  I had just seen this bonnet on the Instagram account of the lady who makes them...For Monogram Sake.  While you are visiting her site, check out all the other Masters stuff she designs...love, love, love it all!


Wednesday night I prepared our traditional Par 3 Supper.  You can read more about our tradition with this meal here.

At the start of the tournament, these are the golfers I was watching...Freddie Couples is one of my long-time favorites, but he unfortunately did not make the cut.  Rory McIlroy had a chance to win a Grand Slam, but didn't get it done.  Everyone says Tiger is good for the game, but I just like to watch him play golf...and of course, you can count on there being some Tiger drama.  (Tiger: "I hit a tree trunk with my club and a bone popped out on my hand, so I pushed it back in.")  You gotta love that!  Bubba Watson doesn't seem to be all that popular with his fellow tour players, but I love him!  Brooks Koepka (FSU) did pretty good.  Last but not least, I was happy to see Ben Crenshaw.  He was my late BFF Teresa Jane's favorite golfer, so I love him too!

I wore Lilly Pulitzer "White Tag Lilly" skorts all week.  They are perfect to wear at the course and comfortable too!

Besides the great golf, you can count on the Pimiento Cheese sandwiches being great too.  

Pimiento Cheese in the morning and a Barbecue Sandwich in the afternoon.  I pretty much eat all day at the Masters!

Congratulations for Jordan Spieth for his wire-to-wire win.  The 21-year old started the tournament with a huge lead and stayed the leader until the end.  Records were broken and traditions were kept.  It was another beautiful Masters week in Augusta.

The Masters

 

Last week was a great week for me.  We bought another house in Georgia and then closed out the week attending The Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta.  The Masters is truly a tradition like no other. The course is pure perfection. The employees are gracious. The golf is the best in the world!

 

The famous sign at the entrance to Magnolia Lane...

The Augusta National has strict rules on conduct, customs, and etiquette.  Those rules are followed by all the patrons for fear of losing their cherished patrons badge! 

I decided to dress for comfort and wore Lilly skorts and tennis shoes.

 

 It was fun to be back in my hometown!

Everyone wants Masters food, so I took the famous sandwiches home to my friend Joy.

 I was cheering for both Fred Couples and Bubba Watson and was thrilled to see Bubba win.  Here is Bubba and is son Caleb on the 18th green right after he won...on his way to receive his 2nd green jacket.

 

 

One of the many reasons I love Bubba...he celebrated his win at The Waffle House!

 

I'm spending the week on Tybee Island with my friend Joy, then traveling back to visit with my Mama.  Hope y'all are having a beautiful Easter week.

Tee Time at the Augusta National

It's time!  The Masters Golf Tournament starts this coming Monday, April 8th and ends on Sunday, April 14th.  I'm looking forward to the tournament, but since we are celebrating my Mama's big birthday, I will be watching very closely on TV.  Will Tiger win a 5th green jacket?

Masters badges have changed over the years...from paper to plastic and I am very proud of my collection, which dates back to the 60's! 

Shame on me...I haven't gotten around to getting these framed yet.  Must do!!!

This year the Masters badge is very different from those in the past, depicting a golfer putting on the 11th green.

Hmmm, I must say that this badge is not a favorite of mine.  I like the ones featuring the clubhouse, azaleas, and golfers.  But the people at the Augusta National didn't ask for my opinion:)

  If you don't already have a badge, good luck getting one!  These are the most coveted and toughest tickets in all of sports to get.

 If you are lucky enough to be heading to Augusta next week, Golf Digest has put together an "Insider's Guide to Masters Week." You'll want to read about the best places to sit and watch the tournament, places to stay, ideas for "Masters loot" to take home, etc.

Of course, being a native of Augusta, I have a short list of my own favorite spots.

Topping the list and must-do when I go home to Augusta is Sconyer's Bar-B-Que.  The best.  Make a note though, they are only open for business on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  {It is located off exit 27 of the Bobby Jones Expressway}.  A must-do if you visit Augusta!  Thank me later.

For some good Southern fried chicken and all the Southern side dishes, eat at the Wife Saver.  Make sure you get extra biscuits.  There are several locations around Richmond County and if you are brave enough to fight the traffic, try the one at 3316 Washington Road.  Again, thank me later!

For your shopping and dining pleasure, stop in at Surrey Center, located on the corner of Highland Avenue and Berckmans Road.  Lots of cute shops and good restaurants.

While you are cruising Washington Road, drive through Krispy Kreme at 2866 Washington Road...it's a tradition y'all!

 People are always asking me if children are allowed inside the Augusta National.  There are no specific age restrictions for children...guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children and you can bet that "hooligan behavior" will not be tolerated.  The price for such?  Your badge.  That's right.  The Pinkertons will take away your badge in a New York minute.  Best be behaving youngins!

Fans ages 8-16 can attend free when accompanied by an accredited patron on tournament days--limit of one child per patron.

There is a fabulous book out right now, "Badges, Egg Salad, and Green Jackets."  I'm obsessed with the title, I just love it!

This book was written by Georgia native Julie Alfriend Ferris and was written for children, but is perfect for all ages.  Ms. Ferris captures the rich history and traditions of the Masters Tournament from A to Z.

A is for Augusta National Golf Club and B is for Badges.

E is for Egg Salad Sandwiches.

You can read more about my Masters celebrations here.  The Masters...a tradition like no other.