Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day! Is the line from the Mamas and the Papas singing group an American-Canadian folk rock vocal group that recorded and performed in the 60’s but can be applicable to the first day at the Masters as well.
Well, here we are and everything is coming up roses (actually Azaleas) on the Monday of the Masters. The field of 85 are all equal, smiling, enjoying their practice rounds, pimento cheese sandwiches and everything else Augusta National has to offer. Players now have 3 days to get in combat mode as these 18 hallowed holes wait to reward, ambush, anguish, agonize, punish, defeat, deflate and infuriate the worlds top players, veterans and amateurs alike. As I was once told by a wise and sage person, Golf Don’t Care! Only time will tell. So, enjoy the moment as it won’t last long.
Part 1 , My Morning Walkabout
I took a stroll this morning and just hung around hole 1 and the famous Master’s scoreboard. I had the privilege of:
- Bumping into brother Fred Perpall, the 67th president of the USGA. We exchanged pleasantries and vowed to get together for an update on the status of the industry.
- Meeting a group of lovely ladies who are AKA’s. One lady had just come from the merchandise tent where she waited in line for 90 minutes to buy her Gnomes. She had two and a load of other goodies. Fortunately, her husband was the pack mule for the day, and he was doing it in style. Those AKA’s are a force to be sure.
- Greeting a family of four whose leader and tour guide for the day was Mr. Christopher Handy, a graduate of South Carolina State University and a math and science teacher in the Augusta school system. He is also a 22-year veteran of touring Augusta National making him eminently qualified. His mother, Catherine Handy won 4 tickets in the Augusta National ticket lottery, her second year in a row winning tickets. Mr. Shelton Farmer and his daughter Sheniyah, a sophomore at Augusta University majoring in graphic design and Catherine’s granddaughter rounded out this foursome. They were on a mission to see all they could see and enjoy the day. Catherine and Sheniyah were particularly interested in the outstanding and fashionable attire worn by the ladies. A fashion show on grass!
Part 2 – On the Course
This is a day when the players are playing their practice rounds. Testing their skills for sure but also learning the nuances of each hole from tee to green. Augusta is not your normal course. As an example, some holes have severely undulating greens. Simply, put in order to make some putts you may need to start the ball on a line totally opposite of where you would on any other course. I watched a few players for a few holes just to see how they hit certain shots from certain distances and angles. Watching these fellas play is a great learning tool. Click here to see the list of players invited to play and how they were selected.
Part 3 – Off the Course
Throughout the day, players are scheduled to participate in interviews in the media center, or outside in the Quick Quote area, Augusta National wants to make sure the public can and will hear thoughts and perspectives from the players. Although this is done live, transcripts are provided for the press to read through their various comments. I have provided links to the comments from Justin Rose, who was the 2025 Masters runner up to Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele who has recorded 5 top ten finishes in the last 7 years at Augusta.
Part 4 – The Merchandise
Masters merchandise is among some of the most prized items in golf. One can only purchase items at Augusta as they do not have an on-line retail presence – on purpose.
So, unless you know someone attending or purchasing from a marked up third-party site, you cannot secure the merch. Now having said that, it is common for a person attending the Masters to purchase for their friends and family. Caps, Shirts, Ball Markers, Socks, ad infinitum. The lines can be long , in some cases as much as 90 minutes but people do wait. It is common for individual sales to run into the thousands of dollars. I have never seen merchandise literally fly of the shelf the way it does at Augusta. Simply Amazing!
Part 5 – The Food
I will simply say the sandwiches are $2 and beer is $5 and it has been that way for years. Need I say more!
Part 6 – The Duties of The Media
Good people, Monday night the media was invited to a special reception with the members of Augusta National. Take it easy on me now as very valuable contacts are made at these kind of gatherings, again showing the networking power of this $102 Billion industry.
Of course, I am eager and excited to attend and meet some of the most influential people in the sport, business and industry of golf. Yes I had a very enjoyable experience.
Let me end this article on that note. Golf is Business – do not get it twisted.
I again want to thank my sponsors for their support. Please visit their websites and support their efforts. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s report.
Special Thanks to the sponsors of this report who are supporting the magazine’s efforts in covering the activities at the Augusta National Golf Course. DECISIVE MEDIA, EBONY GREENS, TOMMY BURNS GOLF CHALLENGE COINS, LLC
MASTERS DAILY REPORT SPONSORED BY:
