Augusta National = Heaven

You know, I'm not one of those people to ever say "If I died right now, I'd be a happy man" because I really don't wanna die. But I will say this. Being treated like a member of Augusta National for one day is about the closest thing to heaven I've encountered so far.

Let me start with a disclaimer. No matter what I write here will give the actual experience justice. It's just simply impossible. I'm already awful with sharing my emotions. Just part of being a guy. I mean, science has proven that right?

The whole experience started at 7:30am for me. I planned on getting there right at 6:30am when the gate opened but it took me quite awhile to get ready. I couldn't sleep much the night before so I was rolling on maybe 5 hours of sleep. And trying to do everything in your morning routine in double-time when running on fumes was causing me to do everything twice as long. Oh well. Once I got there, I immediately went to the golf shop and bought Masters clothes and memorabilia at discounted prices for friends and family. I'm not gonna say how much I spent but man, I felt like a kid in a candy store.

After my spending splurge, I headed right for the Par 3 course. You see, I didn't really see the course back in April. I saw it from afar but not up close. So for the first 4 hours of the day, until our tee time of 1:45, it was all about the Par 3 course. I mean, just for a par 3 course, this place is amazing. The greens are fast. Not a blade of grass is out of place. I mean, it's just beautiful. After 17 holes of par 3 fun, it was time to head to the clubhouse for lunch.

Now when I got the letter informing us about the lunch, I saw the word buffet and was excited. But trust me, that excitement truly built when I saw the food. Big burgers full of flavor. Huge hot dogs and bratwursts. Of course, all the fixins for those. Plus, potato salad, coleslaw, fruit salad, chips, and more. For drinks, everything from soft drinks to sweet tea to of course, beer (Michelob Ultra or Yuengling I think). And for dessert, all the cookies and ice cream novelties your stomach could handle. Trust me, it was tough smelling the grill from a distance for 2 hours until we finally sat down to eat. I scarfed down way too much and couldn't even move for 20 minutes. But hey, when in Rome right?

Of course, going inside the clubhouse was special too. Seeing the Masters trophy up close was cool. Seeing pictures of all the former champs also was neat. But by far, the most memorable thing was standing in the champions locker room. The likes of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Phil Mickelson, Nick Faldo, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, etc... all with a locker designated for their green jacket. I felt so out of place. There's just so much history in that room. I was honored to just be standing in there.

After lunch, it was off to the driving range. Surprisingly, I hit the ball incredibly well. You see, I had the opportunity to play free golf the day before and well, my driving was less than spectacular. But at the National driving range, every shot was solid. It was a good sign of what would hopefully be a good round of golf. Or more importantly, a good tee shot on the first tee.

Now, I had been dreaming about that drive on the first tee for a long time. Actually, pretty much since I got the job here. I was in awe in April of the pros as they stayed calm, controlled their emotions, and then bombed a 300 yard drive dead center. But I knew my turn would come in May. Well, there it was. Staring me in my face. The first hole of the famed Augusta National. I was pretty calm as everyone else teed off but once I put my ball on the tee, the nerves were back. Though there may have only been 10 people watching, it felt like 1000. The 360 yd hole felt like 550 all the sudden. Deep breaths weren't working. So instead, I figured, let's just grip it and rip it. Of course, the fear of shanking it, topping it or even whiffing it were still swirling in my mind. But somehow, someway, I didn't do any of those. Instead I ripped one 200+ yards dead center. The weight was off my shoulders. I could breathe again. And that's how my round at Augusta National began.

I finished with a double bogey on #1, which I was proud of. Considering all the nerves and reminding myself this wasn't a dream, I was happy with the result. Then came the 2nd hole, a par 5. I bombed a drive and left myself about 220 to the hole. But I don't have that shot in my repertoire. So I laid up about 100 yds away, leaving a wedge shot to the wide green. Thankfully, the hole was right in the center. I hit a great pitching wedge, about 12 ft from the hole, leaving myself a birdie putt. I couldn't believe it. Me? A putt for birdie at Augusta National? Unreal. Of course, I missed the birdie. And the par. I 3-putted from 12 ft and finished with bogey.

You see, the greens are not easy to read. They're even harder to read when you don't have a caddy, don't play golf consistently, and are trying to play at a faster pace than the pros. The greens killed me all day. I had at least 3 par putts and missed them all. I 3-putted nearly every hole. I made only one putt longer than 15 feet. The sad thing is that I used to always think putting was the strong suit of my game. Well, Augusta National humbled me.

As the day went on, it was obvious that I would not shoot a low score on this golf course. Besides my putting ineptitude, I have a real lack of a short game. Anything within 100 yards is a mistake waiting to happen. Every so often, I'd play a nice chip but on that golf course, you have to play a nice chip every time. If you don't, you pay for it. Same goes for bunker shots. I'm awful at them. But that golf course has plenty of them and they protect the green like a moat protects a castle. For the most part, I wasn't in them too often but when I did find them, I lost quite a few strokes to just hacking out.

As the day wore on, I slowly became more inconsistent with all my shots. Thankfully, I never really blew up on a single hole. I never shot worse than an 8, which I find impressive considering all this course demands of a golfer. I did shoot 8-8-7 on Amen Corner for a combined +11, which was a downer but then I remembered just how tough that stretch is and I just smiled, remembering I just got to play one of the best 3-hole stretches in golf.

After Amen Corner, I wanted to finish strong. That didn't really happen. On the par 5 15th, I hit 2 good shots and was left with a 3rd from 120. But I chunked my wedge shot and it fell in the water in front of the green. I went on to make a 7 but it was shots like that that I wish I could have back. On 16, I envisioned hitting the green and made a great swing. But I ended up in the fringe on the right, which was not a good place to be. It left me a downhill putt for birdie, with no hopes of slowing it down. It flew by the pin and left me a 20 ft uphill putt. Of course, I missed the par and made bogey. 17 and 18 were struggles as well but it didn't matter. I played 18 holes at one of the most famous golf courses in the world.

My goal this year was to shoot below 150 and to take it all in. Well, I shot 115 and trust me, I took ALL of it in and more. Next year, I'm aiming for less than 115 and a couple pars. I don't think that's asking too much. Just gotta work on that short game.

When I got home that night, I thought about just how lucky I was and still am. Not many people get the opportunity to play golf on that course. But yet at the age of 22, I was able to. That's crazy. My whole life I've seen the best golfers in the world play the course. But for one day, it was me. I may not have won a green jacket. I may not have made a birdie or par. I may not have even broken 100. But none of that matters one bit. I played Augusta National. How amazing is that.

Hakuna Matata.

Augusta National - Update #1

Hello friends. I am live blogging from augusta national. So far, it's been the par 3 course for yours truly. Had just one par in 9 holes (hole #1) but didnt play too bad. I can already tell my lack of a short game is gonna make for a difficult round on the big course. I think as long as I stay out of the bunker, I'll be just fine. That's all for now. About to play the par 3 course for a second time. Look for aother update after that.

I've Got A Golden Ticket

The picture says it all. I've got a golden ticket. No, not to go to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, but instead to play 18 holes at Augusta National Golf Club. Yes, the same course as the Masters. Don't be jealous. Just be happy for me. Actually, you can be jealous too if you want.


You see, a year ago at this time, playing at Augusta National was the LAST thing on my mind. I'm almost 100% sure that this time last year (Wednesday, May 19, 2008), I was at The Pub, drinking an aquarium with my best buds from OU. We were probably talking about the week that had been so far, insulting each other, and thinking about what lied ahead of us after graduation day, which was then just 17 days away.

But now, here I am in Augusta, Georgia, working as a sports anchor/reporter, excatly what I've been wanting to since I've been 8 years old. And now, that same job is giving me the opportunity to play one of the best and most revered golf courses in the world. Pretty cool huh?

So here's the deal. I'm really really excited about this. I've played the game of golf for now 7 years. I'm not good by any means but I still play. In fact, I'm not good at any sport but I still play. I think my 0-21 record in Intramural Sports championships speaks for itself. But despite my lack of athletic prowess, including in golf, I couldn't be more pumped.

I think the main reason is because I've been watching the best golfers in the world play this course for my whole life and now, I can say I've played the same course as the likes of Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Seve Ballesteros, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and so many more. I mean, think about it. That's pretty cool. Augusta National is one of the most private courses in the nation and they are letting some Black kid from Columbus whose golf game is awful play 18 holes!

So what is my goal for my round? Well, first of all, it is to finish. As you can see, my tee time is set at 1:45pm. But thanks to John Smoltz, I may not be able to play all 18 holes. So needless to say, I'm gonna be playing like John Daly when it comes to approaching each shot. The second goal is to not whiff any shot. I remember my first drive in my first IM Alumni tourney, I swung and missed. I don't want that on the first tee. Finally, the last goal is to remember that my score doesn't matter. What matters is taking the whole experience in.

Speaking of my score, look for updates on the round here on the blog periodically but hole-by-hole updates on my Facebook page and Twitter page (follow me @ mattbarnes08). I plan on hitting every ball and playing by the USGA rules. So if that means taking a 12, then that means a 12. I'm not ashamed to do that. So I really hope you keep up with those respective pages and feel free to comment on the facebook or DM me on Twitter so I can see it on my phone. I'll try to respond.

So that's it boys and girls. That's the excitement to come on Thursday. Feel free to leave your comments and/or guesses for my score in the comment section right here on the blog.

I have no idea how long I will be here in Augusta. But for now, I'm gonna enjoy one of the perks. Make sure you check my pages and of course, Hakuna Matata!

The Art of the Mini-Vacation

Ever since July 5th, 2008, I have worked every Saturday and Sunday. That's right, every weekend for nearly 10 months. For many of you, this may seem like an atrocity. Something that you could never imagine doing in your life. For me though, it's just life...and it's really not that bad.

Do I wish I had weekends off? Of course, who wouldn't? But since I don't, I try to make the most of the time I do have off. Most of the time, that means Wednesday and Thursday. But it can vary week to week. And since I don't accure any vacation days until I work a full year (July 1, 2009), I have perfected the art of the "mini-vacation".

That's right, not a full vacation but a "mini-vacation". So far, in 10 months, I've had about a dozen of them. It started with a trip to Charlotte in Augusta to visit a friend I hadn't seen in more than a year. I got there on a Tuesday evening and left on a Thursday morning. He's a teacher so he wasn't working yet so it worked out great.

Then, came my trip to Valdosta, GA. Small city but with the friends I was with, that didn't matter. Just like Charlotte, I stayed overnight 2 days and was back in Augusta well before I had to work.

Since those summer trips, I've taken many a trips to Columbia, SC to visit a good friend and have a great time in the college atmosphere. I've also made three treks to Ohio. Two to Columbus and one to Athens. None were longer than 4 days but trust me, all were worth the time and money spent.

Before the Masters, I went to Charlotte again and crashed NIRSA to hang out with members of the best intramural department in the nation. And less than 2 weeks ago, my parents came and we went to Savannah. We were there for less than 48 hours but it was a great time with for all 4 of us. And actually, it was the first time all 4 of us had gone somewhere other than to visit family since 2003!

What's great about these "mini-vacations" is that it allows me to forget the daily routine that is Augusta. In college, I worked too many jobs and had to random of a nightlife to ever feel like I was in a routine. But that's changed now. Now, I seem to always be on a time schedule or trying to reach a deadline. But when I leave Augusta for a different location, I don't have to worry about any of that.

So here's my criteria for a great "mini-vacation". First, spend more time at the location than in the car. Though I love a good road trip, I love spending time with friends and family more. Second, set a spending limit before I go. This way, I can make sure my "mini-vacation" doesn't make me bankrupt and prevent me from taking a real vacation down the road. Third, do not think about work. When I am in Augusta and taking a day off, I can't help but think about work because it's still around me. But when I am away, I really want to be away. I can always catch up on what I missed later. Finally, enjoy every minute of where I am and the company I am around. It's not very often I get out of Augusta and see my pre-job friends so when I do, I'm not gonna waste my time doing something that's not fun.

So what's my next "mini-vacation"? Who knows? The great thing is that many of the "mini-vacations" I've taken have been spontaneous. Yeah, some were planned for months but others were planned in less than a week. So if you have an idea for me or want to partake in one with me, just let me know. It's not that I hate Augusta. I just love getting away from it all, even if just for 2 days. Hakuna Matata.

Matt at the Masters: Final Recap

So I've had a week to decompress from the biggest and best work assignment I've ever been given. I had every intention of writing this post earlier but time was simply not on my side.

I guess I'll start with just saying that spending a week at Augusta National is something I never saw myself doing. It just simply was not on my radar. But from the moment I took the job here, I had been looking forward to it. I think it's safe to say too that I'm already looking forward to next year's.

In terms of the work I did on the course, by no means would you deem it exciting. I mean, standing by a driving range for 2 days waiting/hoping for professional golfers to walk by and talk to you isn't exactly the best thing ever. And the same goes for standing under a tree for 4 days, waiting/hoping for golfers to stop and chat after their round. Phil talked every day as did Gary Player, Trevor Immelman and many more. But Tiger was a different story. He only stopped and talked Saturday. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

No matter how frustrating it was though to see golfer after golfer spurn me, it was still the fact that I was there. I was doing something many will never get the chance to do. So every morning was a good morning, even if that meant a 6am wake up call. But trust me, the hours that I worked that week were brutal. And once you add in the sun wearing you out, the pressures of editing video in a small truck, the numerous live shots (Noon, 5pm and 6pm) that had to be written, and more, it was actually a lot worse.

Monday through Thursday, we got to the course really early. I mean, 8am early. And considering that I didn't go to sleep until about 2am the nights before, I wasn't getting much sleep. In fact, I started losing my voice because when you talk for 18 hours of the day and then don't allow your body to recover, odds are it's going to happen. But by the weekend, we went to the course much later, allowing me to recover a bit.

The course is absolutely beautiful. Seriously, there is not one blade of grass out of place. The course alone is what makes this tournament the best there is in my mind. The field is amazing almost at every tournament. The food is probably delicious at other places too. The traditions are unique but even then, all tournaments have those. But only one tournament has this course and its narrow fairways, perfectly placed bunkers and trees, and of course, its fast greens. The course is really the star.

As far as watching the tournament, I didn't see too much on the course. I was so busy working from under the tree that I didn't leave it too often. But I did manage to see almost every hole at one point or another. I did see Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and more tee off. I saw Gary Player tee off in his final competitive Masters round. I interviewed nearly half of the field and yes, even got into a fun conversation about the great state of Ohio with Ben Curtis, a former major champion.

I was outside the clubhouse as the former champions arrived for the Champions dinner. I was in the front row watching Arnold Palmer tee off to officially start the tournament. I shook hands with and interviewed former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. I joked with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt about Tiger and even shared a moment with CBS's Jim Nantz, as we both watched Norman tee off Thursday morning.

I experienced the 'Japanese mafia", who followed the every move of the Asian golfers in the field. I saw Pat Summerall and Verne Lundquist, two of my favorite sports announcers. I had tons of fun talking about the cold with caddies. I saw Angel Cabrera win the 73rd Masters with a short par putt on the 2nd playoff hole and was right there when Trevor Immelman slipped the green jacket on the now two-time major champion outside.

I can't even begin to describe just how amazing the entire experience was. And the hardest thing for me to remember is that I was there just doing my job. But no matter where this job and this career takes me, I will never forget that I need to be a fan too. I was right there with the patrons, enjoying every second of Phil and Tiger's final round push and agonizing as Kenny Perry bogeyed the final two holes. Though my badge was different than theirs, my interest and appreciation for the event and the golf action was the same.

So what's next? Well, I get to actually play the course in May. We won't be playing from the tournament tees (thankfully) but instead from the members tee. Trust me, there will be tons of pictures taken and a plethora of bad shots from yours truly. Other than that though, I won't be on the course again until 2010, when the next Masters rolls around,

At 22 years old and in my first TV sports job, I can't complain. I just covered the Masters. One of the most revered sporting events in the world. It may take a while to wipe the smile off of my face. I know Angel Cabrera won the tournament and the green jacket but in a weird way, I feel like I won too.