2025 Pre-Masters Thoughts

I love this week.  From a sports fan’s perspective, it doesn’t get any better than The Masters.

Weirdly, the badge situation has gone into a black hole.  I’m not hearing the normal panic around procuring badges like there was in the past.  My assumption is that the prices of the badges on the secondary market(s) have gone so high that the actual demand has gone down.  The event is now so easily consumed via multiple outlets – whether it be the Masters app, the Golf Channel, ESPN, or normal coverage.  In reality, it takes effort to miss a shot.

With the badges as high as they are, I’m worried that the event will become overly corporate.  That would be a shame.  I’m curious to see how ANGC handles that.

For those that are going, may the Force be with you.  Mrs. RCS and I used to go every Monday.  We’d leave here around 6:30 or 7 with a large coffee and a couple of Egg McMuffins (for me), and we’d make our pilgrimage east.  For us, it was about the golf, but also the experience.  We’d walk the grounds.  Of course, we’d see a few shots, but we wouldn’t follow anyone.  We’d eat all the food and collect the cups.  We’d count the green jackets.  We’d spend way too much in the merch tent.  I always enjoyed watching the putting green and the driving range.  The way pros practice is something to behold.

Augusta National is Mecca.

There is a vibe at ANGC that is unmatched.  Everything is perfect.  Everything.  It’s the feeling I got when I visited Fenway or Old Yankee Stadium or East Lake.  Churches.

The level of drama going into this year’s tournament is going to be fun to watch.  There are three themes I’m paying attention to:

1 Rory.  He’s going to face immense pressure.  The back 9 has always been his Achilles heel.  I’d love to see him win it.
2. The Course.  How bad did the storms impact the course?  I’ve got friends at the course next door, and their damage was dramatic.  Let’s see if we’ll notice anything different.
3. How are the golf brands dressing their players?  I know.  Judgy.  But it’s what I do.

My predictions:

1. As of Monday, I’m picking Ludvig Aberg.  He keeps putting incredible rounds together but then has an off-day during a tournament.  I have a feeling he’s got four rounds in him, and he’ll be smiling in Butler Cabin.
2. Scottie Scheffler’s Champions Dinner menu gets destroyed.  There will be more on this tomorrow.
3. The merch is going to be a yawner again.  Tons of printed polos and NASCAR-esque hats.  I’d give it a couple more years until they right the ship.

Some other thoughts:

• Mrs. RCS still believes that the BEST move is a pimento cheese + BBQ sandwich combo.  Stuff that BBQ sandwich with pimento cheese…with some Lays potato chips and a Light Domestic…  She does, however, need to find a new dessert since the ice cream sandwich has gone the way of the dodo.
• I get a lot of merchandise questions.  If you are a first-timer, I would recommend getting a dated hat, a Christmas ornament, ONE shirt (SOLID), ONE pullover, and a dated flag (to get framed to memorialize your first time).  If you are a repeat offender, get the fun stuff: a Tilley hat, a Tervis, a Christmas ornament, and a bunch of stuff for your kids.
• We’ll be down in Boca Raton for the boys’ Spring Break, so most of my consumption during the week will be via mobile.  I’ll report back.

We’ve got a BIG week here at Red Clay Soul.  Be sure to check back often as the content will be FLOWING, and the giveaways will be plentiful.

What are you looking forward to seeing at The Masters?