I have a love/hate relationship with the Masters, tempered even further because I don't foilow golf closely. As a child I considered myself part of Arnie's Army as I watched on Sundays with my dad, who was a teens handicap golfer. (He's still alive, just hasn't golfed in ages.) I took lessons at our club, then a top 200 American club and now public, and as an ex-teaching pro in tennis I have massive respect for what's required to be a really good golfer, let alone a top pro.
At the same time I have a hard time with Augusta's history as regards women and minorities. Yes, my beloved sport of tennis hails from a similar background, but imo it's done a better (very far from perfect) job of responding to its traditional prejudices.
Having been lucky enough to attend Wimbledon a few times your description of Augusta resonates. Like Augusta, The All England Club has retained its sense of its own history, and tennis on grass, played in whites, is a gorgeous thing to behold; green predominates there, as well. There was a rumor that VISA was going to take title sponsorship some years ago, and thankfully it did not come to pass. Can you imagine "The VISA Masters"? Neither can I. There are very few billboard-type adverts at SW19, like at Augusta, and of course tennis' demand for quiet from spectators silences cell phones, too.
My discomfort with Augusta's history aside, I still get a shiver at the sight of someone putting on their green jacket for the first time. Or on watching (more than once) the video of Nicklaus' grandson getting a hole in one while playing in a foursome at the pre-Masters round for past champions with his grandfather, Tom Watson, and the amazing Gary Player, all of whom loudly cheered his ball into the cup.
Thanks for this. Not everything should or has to be structured like the NFL.
Really appreciated this short take on the Masters, Michael. You’ve captured my feelings well about the duality of it all. It’s my favorite 4 days of the year and I’m always sad to see it come to an end. I could write paragraphs about why it’s important to me, but I’ll just leave it at thanks for post and a new movie recommendation.
I have no interest in golf, but this makes me want to go to the Masters... You and Coggins should get yourself to Lords for some cricket some time, I fine way to waste a day in my experience.
Great stuff, Michael. Well done, man!
I have a love/hate relationship with the Masters, tempered even further because I don't foilow golf closely. As a child I considered myself part of Arnie's Army as I watched on Sundays with my dad, who was a teens handicap golfer. (He's still alive, just hasn't golfed in ages.) I took lessons at our club, then a top 200 American club and now public, and as an ex-teaching pro in tennis I have massive respect for what's required to be a really good golfer, let alone a top pro.
At the same time I have a hard time with Augusta's history as regards women and minorities. Yes, my beloved sport of tennis hails from a similar background, but imo it's done a better (very far from perfect) job of responding to its traditional prejudices.
Having been lucky enough to attend Wimbledon a few times your description of Augusta resonates. Like Augusta, The All England Club has retained its sense of its own history, and tennis on grass, played in whites, is a gorgeous thing to behold; green predominates there, as well. There was a rumor that VISA was going to take title sponsorship some years ago, and thankfully it did not come to pass. Can you imagine "The VISA Masters"? Neither can I. There are very few billboard-type adverts at SW19, like at Augusta, and of course tennis' demand for quiet from spectators silences cell phones, too.
My discomfort with Augusta's history aside, I still get a shiver at the sight of someone putting on their green jacket for the first time. Or on watching (more than once) the video of Nicklaus' grandson getting a hole in one while playing in a foursome at the pre-Masters round for past champions with his grandfather, Tom Watson, and the amazing Gary Player, all of whom loudly cheered his ball into the cup.
Thanks for this. Not everything should or has to be structured like the NFL.
Nailed it with the JOASD comparison. The archival footage in the Apollo 11 doc from a couple years ago gets there as well.
Really appreciated this short take on the Masters, Michael. You’ve captured my feelings well about the duality of it all. It’s my favorite 4 days of the year and I’m always sad to see it come to an end. I could write paragraphs about why it’s important to me, but I’ll just leave it at thanks for post and a new movie recommendation.
I have no interest in golf, but this makes me want to go to the Masters... You and Coggins should get yourself to Lords for some cricket some time, I fine way to waste a day in my experience.
Michael, I think you captured the duality of this event about as well as anyone I’ve ever rad has. New & Old, Modern & Tradition… a joy to read!
Well written, a great read!
Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for this!
Hi Michael, are the photos here and on your instagram the last few days taken by yourself? Your coverage overall has been great to follow!