Getting To and Around Augusta
I paid zero as all caddies get a badge to get in - I was Bernhard Langer's caddie at the 2004 Masters, which I describe below. Parking was a breeze as I parked in the caddie lot. Dining is cool as many of the places there take good care of the caddies and get them right in past 3-hour waits for food.
My Masters Experience
In 2004, we started 4-shots back of Phil and Chris DiMarco, who were playing behind us. We were in the 2nd to last group on Sunday, with Ernie and KJ playing in front of us. It had been a long week and I was as nervous as ever, especially when BL fatted his first wedge into #1 leaving us an impossible up and down. When I saw the shot we had, I was hopeful we could make bogey and move on to #2. He holed it for a 3 and we were euphoric. Another incredible chip at #2 which almost went in for an eagle and a tap-in birdie got us thinking ... hmmmm. This is cool.
On #7 I looked up and saw "Langer" leading the golf tournament when Phil and Chris made rubbish of #4 and #5. LEADING the MASTERS on SUNDAY! A quick bogey there held us back but we went to #10 tee tied for the lead and hooked a great driver down the hill into a perfect area. As we walked off the tee, I will never forget telling him how grateful I was for this chance, the chance to play the back nine at Augusta on a Sunday afternoon with a chance to win the Masters.
He looked up as we walked past Butler Cabin and said "a 33 on this side and we will be having a nice meeting in there in 2 hours time." I was chilled when I remembered my caddie number that week and I showed him my number ... it seemed that something good as about to happen.
Made it through Amen Corner with nothing really bad happening but a 3-putt for par on #13. KJ had holed out his second on #11 and we thought it was Ernie. BL was not a scoreboard reader and firmly told me that he did not want to know anything what was going on but I was welcome to watch the boards if I wanted to. When we got to #15 he asked me what the deal was and who was where. I told him Ernie was one ahead of us and Phil was tied at the moment and playing #13. He proceeded to bail out right into the trees trying to sling a patented hook that spun like crazy right up against a pine. Quickly, we both were flustered and he slashed at it only moving it a few feet leaving 220 yards at the top of the hill. The three iron that touched the green briefly, then rolled into the water sealed our fate for a third Green Jacket but gave me a memory of Augusta I will never forget.
Advice
- See the par-3 course, it is wonderful.
- Hang out under the tree by the first tee and see everyone who is anyone in the world of golf.
- Do NOT try to watch Sunday's round following someone. Pick out a great spot on #15 or #16 where you can see it all and just sit tight. It gets so narrow with the way they have it roped off you get nowhere and fast.
- If you are going to buy anything in the shop do it as soon as you get there as they sell everything out quickly.
- Eat a pimento cheese sandwich for certain, just to try it, and have a chicken sandwich, too. It is not Chick-fil-a, but darn close.
