masters memories

Well, it's that time of year again.  Today I will watch the final round of the Masters from the comfort of my living room.  But it will take me on a journey far bigger than that.  It will fill my heart and soul with forty years of memories.  My father got badges when we lived in Greenville, SC back in the early sixties before the Masters was a big a deal.  So, from about four years old on, we grew up getting to go to the greatest sporting event in the greatest venue of earth on a regular basis.

Through the years I've had the privilege of going numerous times with my dad, then with my wife, and with each of our grown children.  The last several years we went as a family and took turns going to each round.  It is an experience none of us will ever forget.  In fact, the last year we went was two days after my father passed away and he made us promise we would all go to the tournament together before we had his funeral.  It was one of the sweetest trips ever.  It was my father's dying wish. 

Unfortunately, we just missed the time when they would allow the badges to be passed down to your family, because I would love to get to experience the wonder and excitement of the tournament with my grandkids.  

The only word that comes close to describing the beauty and the majesty of Augusta National is pristine.  It is a such an amazing place and the Masters is such a special event.  Even the fans feel like royalty as they walk through the gates.  You immediately get the sense of what an honor and a privilege it is to be able to be a part of such a magical experience.  And if you don't feel that way when you walk in, you are probably not worthy of being there.

So, I will sit and watch the final round today, but I will be doing far more than just watching.  I will be walking the course in my memories with my late father.  I will be looking at the gallery behind number seven, where he used to love to sit.  I will be tasting the pimento cheese, and hearing the roars, and watching in excitement as they change the scoreboard.  And when it's all over, I will take the long walk to the car with a full heart, because to me the Masters is about much more than just golf.

And if you're interested, here's a little something I wrote about it years ago: the masters