Preview of the Masters

Spring has definitely arrived by the time the Masters kicks off at Augusta National Golf Club every year.
The tournament is filled with tradition.  The azaleas, amen corner, butler cabin, Eisenhower's tree, the green jacket that the winner receives, the Champions Dinner where the previous year's winner picks the menu for all of the previous winners in attendance.

The Masters is the only one of the four major PGA golf tournaments that is played at the same venue every year.  For some reason it never gets old.  There's a magic to it and this year will be no different.

The honorary starters will be golf legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player.  Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Phil Mickelson have really hit their strides and it should make for very exciting competition.  Tiger just won for the first time in 30 months at Bay Hill two weeks ago and he has 3 other top five finishes this year.  Phil had a win at Pebble Beach in February and a top four finish at the Houston Open last week.  McIlroy has been on fire with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finish in his three PGA appearances this year.  He will of course be trying to overcome his meltdown at the Masters last year when he was leading by four strokes in the last round and almost hit a cabin with his tee shot on the 10th tee.

Evidently, they've been getting some rain in Augusta so the perilous greens will be soft and ripe for birdies.  Scores should be lower than normal and there will be a lot of thrilling shots.  If you need a good local place to watch the action try one of our great local golf courses: Pleasant Valley (http://www.pleasantvalleygc.com/) or South Riding (http://www.southridinggc.com/).  They'll have all the food and refreshments you need as well as flat screen tvs and a great atmosphere.  Enjoy this special event.