I really love this week. From a sports fan’s perspective, it doesn’t get any better than The Masters.
In a weird way, the badge frenzy has cooled off a little. I’m not hearing the normal panic around procuring badges like there was in the past. My assumption is that the event is now so easily consumed via multiple outlets – whether it be the Masters app, Golf Channel, ESPN, or normal coverage. In reality, it takes effort to miss a shot.
This makes attending The Masters more ceremonial, which, quite frankly, is fine with me. 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 about 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.
Gary Player got some buzz this week when he ranked The Masters fourth out of the four majors. I couldn’t disagree with him more. My dad gave me three pieces of advice before I left for college, and they have all proven to be true:
Drink beer, not liquor. You’ll last longer.
Don’t marry a girl that drives an IROC Z28.
Don’t trust anyone that wears all black all the time.
The Masters is the best golf tournament of the year. Period. Not only for the players but the fans as well. It’s up there with the Daytona 500 and the Kentucky Derby. The whole experience is immersive.
The level of drama going into this year’s tournament is going to be so much fun to watch. There are three themes I’m paying attention to:
1 Rory. Please win. For the love of all that is Holy. Please win.
2. LIV Players vs. PGA. The analysts will make WAY too much of this, but for me it’s simple: with the reduced schedule and reduced competition, can the LIV guys compete with the PGA players on arguably the hardest course on Tour?
3. How are the golf brands dressing their players? I know. Judgy.
My predictions:
1. Rory gets his Green Jacket. He’s had the game for YEARS to win at Augusta, but I think the 2012 blowup has finally vacated his consciousness. His swing looks good, his putter is firing, and he seems pretty zen’ed out. I’m pulling for him.
2. One LIV player finishes in the top 20. I think they get smoked…Koepka doesn’t make the cut (yawn), Sergio dresses like a banana, etc. Please understand: the strategy of all the LIV contract ‘rumors’ releasing a week before the Masters (2x-4x payback for any player breaking their LIV contract) wasn’t on purpose…
3. Keith Mitchell is the best-dressed guy on tour until the humidity cranks up.
Some other thoughts:
- I hope Tiger shows well. I really like this version of the Champ. He’s got plenty of game, but I think he’s embracing his Dad/Ambassador/Leader role. Ultimately I think it’s good for the game, and is a good example of how we all evolve as humans.
- 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, 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.
- The Easter Sunday finish is good. Church at Church.
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?
Cover Art: https://leewybranski.com/
Great write up on The Masters!! I can’t wait! Attended my first Masters last year albeit it was the Tuesday practice round and it got called just before lunch due to storms and lightning….yeah what a bummer!! However, the few hours I got to spend at Augusta National, I made the most of it and soaked it all in. I look forward to returning in the hopefully near future but in the meantime, I’ll tune via the various media options and enjoy it! Great job on all your content RCS, I really enjoy it!! Btw, I splurged and ordered the Taste of The Masters kit this year and look forward to enjoying it over Masters weekend!
There’s nothing like Augusta National and The Masters. I count the two times I’ve been there walking the course with my dad and brother as two of my best days on God’s earth. Looking forward to another wonderful week.
Yes! For the love of everything, RORY please win! The Masters is on my bucket list and once I get there I’m taking Mrs. RCS recommendation on the BBQ/Pimento Cheese merger! Looking forward to the RCS updates Masters Week.
Theme #1: please come true. It’s time. Great write up, as always!
The Final Four is here, the pollen is raining down upon us, and the Masters on the horizon. A special time of year. Bittersweet this is our last full Jim Nance Season (NCAA tourney + Masters) since it’s his last NCAA tourney. A real shame about the ice cream sandwich. Was my favorite menu item.
Great article! As a Kentucky boy, I do love the Derby. But for some reason I cannot envision myself glued to the TV watching horse racing like I do the Masters. I like Rory and the Netflix’s “Full Swing” makes you root even more for him.
Sleeper pick: Zalatoris! Maybe the other best Dallas golfer not named Spieth or Scheffler!
I was lucky enough to go to a Wednesday and Thursday in 2019. When Tiger won it made the trip that much more special. If you go Monday-Wednesday, BRING A CAMERA!!! I took a few hundred pic on Wednesday and I still have fun checking them out. The grounds are immaculate and the atmosphere is magical. Buy a Masters logo chair as soon as you can. It can be a tiring walk and taking a rest under the pines is better than it sounds. Drink in the surroundings. Spend 30 minutes at your favorite hole to fuse the memories into your brain. Buy food! The BBQ sandwich is great, the cookies are top notch. Drink a beer and collect the cups! Know that you will spend over $500 in merch. You never know when you will come back so buy an extra polo or two and keep it in the plastic and break one out the next year when you watch the Masters at home. If you can bring a friend or relative, great but if you are by yourself, it may be more enjoyable. I can’t wait to go back one day soon!
Keith Mitchell’s attire has been 🔥. So glad to see natural fabrics back on the course. Hats off to Sid Mashburn for making it happen.
Great post. I love the history, the sense of decorum and genteelness, and the respect the entire production gets from players and spectators alike.
My picks:
Zalatoris
Homa
Young
Freddie on the first page of the leaderboard Day 1
I grew up off Berckmans Rd. in Augusta, and the Masters buzz has certainly changed since the 80s. Ironically enough, I never attended a Masters until we moved away from Augusta, because my parents always rented out our house for the week (which I later learned earned them the equivalent of 6 mortgage payments). Going back as a patron to experience the Masters is a surreal experience and one I hope every golf fan gets to experience. I think we will see a LIV player finish in the top 10. I don’t root for or against players, but it would be nice for Rory to finally earn his green jacket.
The Masters is one of those few sporting (life?) events that lives up to the expectations you have. Always enjoy your content. Looking forward to a great week.
I like and agree with all of this, save for the East Lake reference. I know it’s a Donald Ross, home of Bobby Jones, and they did a very cool rehab (and I’m sure it’s a blast to visit/play). But for the uber-talented pros in the Tour Championship, it tends to become a bit of a snooze fest. And the handicap format certainly doesn’t help either.
I’m going for the first time this year for the Monday round. I had been planning on the Pimento/BBQ combo. Going by myself, but still excited!
I have always told folks who haven’t been that the first time I went through the Berckmans Rd entrance and it was like the scene from the beginning of Wizard of Oz where the film suddenly goes from black & white to overwhelming Technicolor. Everything seemed surreal…never seen grass that green nor azaleas that vibrant. It’s a special place indeed.
Love that analogy- so true!
Love the advice re the iroc z!
When did you hit Fenway?
The pimento/bbq combo is genius! Will remember that next time I get to go! With you on Rory. For all he’s done for the PGA in the last year, he deserves to wear green.
The Black Knight was smoking something before he shared his rankings.. If any tournament ranks above Augusta, I would have to go with The Open, but only when it’s played at St Andrews.