The Webb Family: April 2008

Despite Aaron missing the cut, it was an experience that I will never forget - my 1st Masters.

The 1st hole at sunrise

A photo in front of the club house entrance

And of course Magnolia Lane........

After Aaron finished tied for 13th at my new home town tournament in Houston I said goodbye to the family on Sunday night and boarded my flight to Augusta. It was a special flight put on by Continental Airlines for people associated with the PGA tour to travel directly there. So this was my first taste of how special this event is if an airline feels the need to accommodate the tour. Anyway it was full of players (KJ Choi number 6 in the world, Angel Caberra 07 US Open champ), caddies, media and fitness trainers! I arrived late Sunday night and drove to my accommodation which was a two bedroom condo. It wasn't until the morning I realised how close I was to Augusta National, I was literally at the back gate of the course as you can see from the pics below and the last one is of Rae's creek.

You can only take cameras into the course on the practice days (Mon-Wed) and there are strictly no phones or other electronic devices allowed ie. ipods. So how do they police this?? Everybody who enters the course must go thru security just like boarding a plane. If you refuse, that's fine..... you are just not allowed entry! Also your ticket will be stripped from you and the number documented so whoever gave it to you will not be issued that ticket again. Dad would be proud of me, I took close to 250 pics in 2 days, so if anyone is interested I will go through all of them with you when I get back. Also there is not not one weed in the whole facility and television does not do the place justice (nor do my pics) of how amazing the place is and how much the course undulates.

Looking up the par 3 6th to the tee

looking down the 18th fairway

Aaron walking up the 1st on wed morning before 8am

The rule is you are not allowed to tee off until 8am but everyone is there before then and they all wait for Tiger to walk on and hit the first shot (well before 8) then they all hit off. Because who is going to tell Tiger the three time winner off? Some of these pics are taken before the gates have been opened.

Tiger on the practice putting green tues morning... putter face a little shut, maybe why he putted so bad!!

Looking over the 18th green back down the hill

Aaron off the 1st tues morning

The gates don't open until 8 and then is a sea of people walking (Kerrie Saxby style) not running otherwise you get evicted! Within half an hour the place was packed, there are about 45,000 people there just to watch the guys practice!

8.01am tues morning under the watchful eye of security for no rule breakers.

Here are a few more pics of the course, just to show how immaculate it is. Amen corner, the 10th, some of the world famous azaleas, having a beer whilst at work!! And Rae's creek on the 13th

11th green, Hogan's bridge, 12th green and 13th tee

All the food and drink is sold in green packaging so that if any is left on the ground it wont be seen on tv

Rae's creek that runs along the 13th hole

There is so much more to say but I hope I have given you an idea of how unbelievable this place is and why this is the mecca for all golf and sporting tragics. Finally below are pics of some familiar golfers who you may recognise and one photo has a group of Sth Africans including the winner Trevor Immelman.