Pollen, a Bucket List, and a Tiger

     My dad, who turned seventy-three this year, came up with his “bucket list” shortly after my mom passed away a couple of years ago.  At the top of that list was a visit to the Masters in Augusta, Georgia.  Last year’s tournament came and went, and unfortunately, he got no closer to a seat at the Masters than his La-Z-Boy watching the azaleas at Augusta National on his flat panel, Sony television.

     This year, I was determined to get him there.  I quickly scoured the web for tickets, and $566 later, I came up with two passes for the Tuesday practice round for he and me . 

     Like other fans, we woke up at the crack of dawn and arrived at Augusta at 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday.  I wanted Dad to get the most out of the day, and I wanted us to be there as soon as the gates opened.  We quickly met another “bucket lister” in the parking lot who traveled all the way from Canada to check off the Masters from his list.  I’m not sure who was more excited, the Canadian or my dad, but I instantly knew that this was going to be a special day.

     As we trekked from our parking spot through the main gate we were greeted with nothing but smiles and hospitality by the folks at Augusta National.  I had heard that no one hosts a golf tournament like the folks in Augusta, and whoever had told me that was spot on.  Throughout the day, the marshals, concession, and golf shop employees were gracious, expeditious, and genuinely wanted each and every visitor to have an experience they’d never forget. 

     Dad and I took our time as we got our bearings.  We quickly followed Tiger Woods at holes one through three, but we also wanted to check out as many holes and players as we could.  After too many years of smoking, Dad had developed COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) a few years ago, and we took frequent breaks so he could catch his breath as we walked the hills of the course.  I didn’t mind.  I was just glad to share the experience with him.  The tree pollen didn’t make it any easier for him.  For anyone who lives in the south, you know what I’m talking about.  In April the tree pollen is always over the charts, and on Tuesday, it was one of the highest counts of the season.  But, my dad didn’t complain about the tree pollen.  In fact, he didn’t complain about anything.  He was like a kid in a candy store, and he wanted to take in everything.  Throughout the day, he kept repeating, “I never thought I would get here in my lifetime.  This is spectacular.  Awesome!” 

     We made our way to Amen Corner, and Dad took plenty of shots of Hogan’s bridge that crosses over to the green at twelve.  I’ll have to admit, it was a gorgeous hole with the azaleas, dogwoods, and tree shadows positioned in a picturesque backdrop.  And, as we headed over to fourteen, fifteen, and sixteen, Dad and I were even in more awe.  Dad said, “That dang Sony TV just doesn’t do this course justice.”  He was right.  We have been watching the tournament the past few days on my HDTV, and although the course looks gorgeous, it just does not compare to seeing it person.    Dad and I snagged a spot with an excellent view of the green at sixteen, and I couldn’t believe how soft the grass was.  My Karastan carpet cannot even compete with the soft grass at Augusta.  We sat at sixteen for a good forty-five minutes as we watched the players easily drive across the pond.  We soon learned of the practice round tradition, where many of the players try to skip the ball across the pond and up on the green.  Mickelson, Mahan, D. Johnson, and O’Hair were the most fun to watch at sixteen, as they all teed off at the same time trying to skip their balls up onto the green.  Three of the four made it with a near miss of a turtle, sitting at the edge of the pond.

     Even Tiger, who teed off prior to the foursome, joined in the fun and tried to skip the ball up onto the green with his buddy Mark O’Meara.  Love Tiger or hate him, he was a real treat to watch.  And, to see up close one of the best golfers of all time perform his craft, was simply amazing.   I’m so thankful that he decided to attend the Masters this year so that my dad and I could see him in action.  Even with his disappointing, personal choices and tarnished reputation, he still drew quite the crowd.  I think we’ve all heard more than we really want to know about this phenomenal golfer’s private life—at least I have.  Don’t get me wrong, my dad and I are more than disappointed in Tiger’s choices.  But, we choose to celebrate the athlete, not the man.

     After watching Tiger finish at sixteen, we decided to take a break from the sun and grabbed a quick soda and buck fifty sandwich at a nearby concession stand.  (Kudos to Augusta for not jacking up food, soda, and beer prices.)    We finished our lunch, it was after one in the afternoon, and I could tell that Dad was getting tired.  So, we made our way to the golf shop, purchased $350 of Masters paraphernalia, and made the trek back to the parking lot. 

    We sat in the car for a few minutes, waiting patiently for the car air conditioning to provide us some relief from the hot day and tree pollen.  I looked over at my dad and asked, “Can you believe we were at the Masters today?”

     “I can’t.  That was absolutely awesome,” he said followed by a kiss on my cheek.  “Thanks for sharing this with me, Peanut.”

   I thought to myself.  I’m the one that was thankful.  It was all about you today, Dad.

Dad and Me - Masters Practice Round - April 6, 2010