$5.50, the pimento sandwich lives up to its reputation. I was there on the weekend.

Crazy how cheap concessions are...especially given the quality. Awesome pics.

Potentially very stupid question here: Are there no cart paths at the course? Do members have to walk it?

Awesome pictures! Keep them coming! A visit to ANGC is definitely on my bucket list!

No cartpaths. Walk with a caddy.

Related to that, because it is such a hilly course, I do think it takes its toll on older guys like Couples and Langer who may manage to compete well for 2-3 days but typically fade by the end. Between practice rounds (we saw Langer on the course Monday) and the tournament, that is a pretty good week of work that most of the senior guys are not used to. Some of them, like Langer, may be in great [physical shape, but it's hard to find a substitute for putting your body through that level of physical and mental test.

Will do - I plan on finishing up tonight.

Looks like an awesome trip. Can you edit out the gay s*** you posted about UH, red raiders and Longhorn Tattoos so I can share this thread with non-A&M friends without making A&M fans look like ******s?

out freaking standing - nice work! makes me so jealous!

That picture on 10 of bubba was the first time I have really understood how much elevation there is it there. Awesome pics. Definitely keep them coming.

Lol, sure. Honestly my commentary is all in good fun - and mostly the result of my spousal college rivalry week. Wasn't trying to come off as a jack wagon, for the most part it was just pretty nice how I met so many Ags on the way and in Augusta last week.


Had to work late and I didn't get to finish up last night, but I will definitely this week.

Great photos. I've been going the last 5-6 years and you've shown people pictures they'll never see otherwise. I don't see Butler cabin in your photos but it's over there. The cabin with the golden eagle above the door is the Eisenhower cabin.

Hole 11

The start of Amen Corner is a 505 yard Par 4. Initially I set up behind the tee box to get shots of the hole down the fairway from the vantage point of the players. Then I decided to head back down the fairway and just get the shots of them teeing off from the front. We got in our spot, and soon Steve and Bubba came up the hill to the tee box. I think most of us that have been watching the Masters for years would consider Amen corner the most recognized holes on the course, and it showed by the number of patrons that were in the area when I got there. It was great to be there in person, however the one difficulty from a spectator viewpoint is how far you are from 11 & 12 greens as well as 13 tee box. This is probably a welcome break from the players, but I wasn't able to get great shots of the green detail because of how far away I was. Its probably unlikely, but maybe if the renovation project goes through, AN will consider routing that could allow patrons to get closer to those areas. Regardless, it was great seeing it in person.

Amen Corner cont.

We caught up with another group putting out on 11 and then teeing off on the famous Par 3 Golden Bell. As I mentioned, I couldn't get close ups of the distant areas of Amen corner, but it was still great to see. In the far corner of the ropes towards #12 green/#13 tee box patrons would take turns taking pictures. Teeing off on #13 was a group that included Bill Haas. I watched them until they hit into the green from the area of #13 pine straw on the right where I think Phil hit his amazing 6 iron en route to win. It was another one of those moments of the day where we ended up standing in an area that I've watched so many times on tv or highlight clips.

The results from 2018 and my rejection reminded me that I didn't finish this out. Gonna do it now. Even if it didn't grab much attention, maybe someone might find it useful for their trip next year.

Weather Evac with Random Course Shots

While standing near Amen corner (and waiting for the wife to return from the RR), I heard the unfortunate announcement that a severe weather system was heading towards the course and a mandatory evacuation was ordered. When the wife returned we made our way back towards 16 where we had left our chairs and then towards the gift shop to retrieve our items that we checked in. The lines were stacked as everyone was trying to do the same as well as figure out if they really had to leave. The rain started coming down while we were in line. When we finally got our items, we headed out the exit and got in the car. Traffic was stacked to exit and I figured that I would just stay put until it cleared up.

Rain Delay and Return

After a while the weather cleared up and the sun came out, but the parking lot was still at a stand still. Eventually some folks came walking by saying patrons would be let back in. A crowd gathered near the entrance and eventually the green jackets opened the gates back up and let us all in. This time the metal detectors and entrance gates were not smooth sailing as everyone tried to pile in. We had to go through the longer line because we had our chairs. Instead of stopping at the refreshment area closest to the entrance I decided to go to the one past Hole 16. AN already had crew members out tidying up all the holes and greens from the weather that had blown through. We saw Pat Perez and his caddie heading up 17 towards the green.

Second Meal and Second Evac

Upon making it to the empty food shack we were ready to chow down a second time. We got the chicken sandwich, the BBQ sandwich, a brownie, some caramel popcorn, and a bag of carrots. The BBQ sandwich was pretty good. The chicken sandwich had a decent flavor, but was kind of cold. Regardless, it was another cheap meal. While we were eating a second weather warning was issued, with another mandatory evac mentioning tornado activity, and the course would definitely be closed for the rest of the day. A trooper pulled up on a cart to tell all of us patrons to quickly make our way towards the exit. This time I decided to take a long route to the other exit to see as much of the course as I possibly could since I knew we wouldn't be coming back on this day. We walked towards 17 from the tee to green.

18 & Exit

While walking along Hole 17 towards 18, I met another Ag and his Father in Law from Houston/Rockport. We chatted a bit as we headed to the exit, and because they forgot a camera I snapped a few shots of them by 18 and the main scoreboard and sent them to them when I returned home. We walked along the the great finishing Hole that is 18, past the green, and past the main scoreboard where troopers were encouraging all of us slow moving patrons to exit. We went past the driving range that looked pretty pristine, but I was only able to get a few glimpses of it. We then headed out the main exit and ended our day at Augusta National by making it to the car just to wait out the line of cars departing. The heavy rain started coming down again, which confirmed that the evac was the right call. I was somewhat disappointed that I didn't get to spend my entire day there, but glad that I at least got to experience the course somewhat. Later in the week I think the folks that had tickets for Wednesday missed their entire week.















































All things considered, Im glad I got to see what I saw and hope to return again one day - maybe even the day of the tournament. Booradley's thread was very helpful to me, and I hope this one will be helpful to some of you planning your trip. I have yet to attend a Ryder Cup or U.S. Open, but Augusta sets the bar pretty high experience wise. To sum it up, if your situation permits - go. You won't regret it.

where did you stay for your trip?

That looks phenomenal. I need to start working on going.

On another note, I would probably hurt myself in the golf shop. I would come home and my wife would casually inform me that she booked herself a full day at the Rtiz's spa.

Unless you are lucky enough to land tickets in the lottery, it's a pricey trip (and is still pretty pricey then). But it is absolutely worth it. As I said on another thread, I went Wednesday and Thursday last year. Wednesday was pretty much a washout but ended up being good recon from Thursday. Easily the best sporting event of my life and now every year of the Masters that goes by without me being there will be that much more painful. If you offered me 2 tickets on the 50 yard line of the Super Bowl or 2 Masters passes, I take the Masters passes in a heartbeat. It's that special.

[edit] I should have started by commending the awesome photos. Really good look at what it's like to be there. Brought back some great memories.

gigemJTH12 said:

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where did you stay for your trip?

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We stayed with some friends not far from Bobby Jones Expressway. It worked out and was really convenient - didn't take long to get to the course.

Thanks for this great thread. I've been several times and I was sick that I couldn't go this year. First went in '93, when you could go to the gate and buy a practice round pass for $15. It was a sticker they peeled off a roll and you just slapped it on. So many changes since then. The current driving range used to be a gravel parking lot. The old driving range faced Washington Rd and there was a huge net that kept most of the balls inside the property. The stands were high school-style wooden bleachers. But it was just as classy. My only complaint is that most of their merchandise is made in China. Every trip is special. My eventual wife and I had our first date there. God willing, I'll be there next year.