Luck of the Draw

Jody bought one raffle ticket from a friend a few weeks ago.  Guess what?  His ticket was drawn.  The prize was 2 tickets.  Let me give you 3 hints and see if you can guess where he won tickets...

Clue #1:



Clue #2:



Clue #3:



If you guessed here...



Then you win a prize!  Jody won 2 tickets to Monday's Practice Round at the Masters.  {He has been to the tournament rounds with his dad the past 2 years but never a practice round.  I have never been.}  Clue #1 - the fabulous grass at Augusta National {if mine could only look that great}, Clue #2 - Magnolia Lane {the road the golfers and members take into the club} and Clue #3 - the famous pimento cheese sandwiches {wonder how many they serve during the week}.

We left town heading to Augusta after a quick Easter brunch prepared by Debbie.  When we checked into our hotel, Jody was asking them directions to a few chain restaurants.  The front desk suggested a local dive {Rhinehart's Oyster Bar} instead.  I always opt for local over chain, they are always better and this was no exception!

You know it is going to be good when you pull into a packed parking lot and there is a line of motorcycles parked out front...



The neon sign above the door reads Beyond Casual and that sums it up perfectly.  Everything is served on paper plates with plastic silverware and most everything on the menu is under $9.  We pigged out and our tab was less than $50.

We sat outside at a picnic table and quickly noticed most everyone else was a local.  Right down from our table they were roasting these...



We started out with a dozen for $5.98.  They were served like this...



...along with a plate of crackers, drawn butter and the fixings to make your own cocktail sauce.  Then we decided to try a cup of Jambalaya...



...it was the best I have ever eaten {Jody even got a cup to go for breakfast the next morning}!  I got the fried shrimp basket with fries {which were just like the fries we cook in a cast iron pot outside at the lake}.  Jody got the Buffalo Grilled Shrimp with Dirty Rice.  Everything was DELICIOUS & DELIGHTFUL!  If you are ever in Augusta, you need to make it a point to eat at one of their 2 locations.

We got up a the crack of dawn the next morning and headed for Augusta National.  It is truly amazingly beautiful.  Here is a picture I took walking in the back gate about 8 am...



The dew was still on the ground and it was such a peaceful walk to the front of the course.  We walked around for a little while and headed to the front to get our picture taken at Founder's Circle in the front of the clubhouse...



This is the back of the clubhouse...



...isn't it beautiful?  I'm sure the inside is equally as FABULOUS!  Across from the back of the clubhouse is a putting green.  Jody noticed that Geoff Ogilvy's caddy and swing coach were standing there.  When we turned around we literally amost ran into Geoff himself.  It was hysterical!  He was very personable and spoke to us before heading to the putting green...



...where he practiced one handed while drinking a cup of coffee.

This is the fairway of the 10th hole...



...aren't those "little" houses fabulous?  I think it would be so peaceful to wake up to the views of Augusta National every morning and then enjoy a cup of coffee on the back porch.

We headed to the 9th hole in time to get a great viewing spot for when these 2 players arrived...



...Freddie Couples and Tiger Woods.  I don't agree with what Tiger has put his family through but he is an amazing golfer.  I was neat to experience a piece of history in the making.  All the fans were every supportive and glad to see him back in the game he dominates.

I have never been to a tournament round but the practice rounds are very casual.  Once they get on the green, they throw several balls out there and practice putting to different places on the green.  They also stand around and soak everything in...



Tiger gave the crowd a quick wave while walking to the tee box on 10...



Here is Amen Corner...



...where holes 11, 12 and 13 can all be seen.

We stood around at the tee box on 15 just to get these shots...





...we were super close to Tiger, Freddie and Jim Furyk {who joined up with them on the back 9}.

I loved this picture of Freddie Couples propped up on his caddie...



By this point in the day, we had worked up an appetite.  Luckily the food at the Masters is delightful...



...and you can't beat their prices!  The concession buildings were extremely organized {on the same scale as Disney}.  These people know what they are doing. Jody and I opted for their famous pimento cheese sandwiches and were not dissapointed.  We almost got these for Mary Reese...



...2 mini moon pies for $1.  We washed down our sandwiches and chips with a few draft beers...



Everything was packaged with the Masters logo...marketing at its finest.  Even the metal tables had the logo cut out of it...



We saw people from all walks of life.  A few even decided the grass was a nice place for a nap...

...not sure I would have had the nerve to take a nap on their grass.  I was nervous taking off my shoes to feel of it with my toes!

Jody got stuck on the other side of the rope when Ben Crewshaw walked through...

...he reached over and shook Jody's hand.

These 2 golfers were definitely the most stylish on the course all day...

We ended the day watching the golfers skip balls across the water hazzard on 16...


...crowds had been gathering and cheering all day long.

Finally, a shot of golfers walking up the fairway to the 18th hole...



The course is amazing.  Pictures do not do it justice.  If you ever get the chance to go...don't turn it down.

A perfect ending to a quick overnight getaway...

Thank you Debbie, John B and Nanny Nan for keeping the children so we could go on this trip!