Revisiting my journey to Augusta...

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By Mike D., Titleist Staff

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  1. Mike D., Titleist Staff

    Mike D., Titleist Staff
    Ashland, MA

    Team Titleist Staff

    Four years ago today, I was stepping onto the grounds of Augusta National and checking an item off the old bucket list. This will always go down as one of the best golf experiences of my life. Anyway, I was feeling nostalgic about this experience today and found my old posts from way back in 2011. So, I figured I would share the threads with everyone again. Hopefully I'll get lucky again and win some lottery tickets next year to add some new Augusta memories.

    In the meantime, here is a trip down memory lane along with a bunch of photos in a gallery below (you'll have to quickly click through the first few pictures to get the ones of Augusta National).

    Here's to a great 2015 Masters!

    My 2011 Journey to Augusta: Part One

    Alright, so the start of the Masters is just a few days away and I've been waiting for this trip for what seems like a lifetime. The forecast is looking good, so I'm happy to be escaping the frigid Northeast - where yes it was snowing again this morning. It appears the 2011 winter is refusing to end.

    I have a 4 a.m. wake-up call tomorrow, so the preparation starts tonight.  I just finished packing, making sure I have all of the gear I'll need for the weekend.  

    The clubs are cleaned and I'm looking forward to the first rounds of the season. I'm putting some new tools in the bag including the new Pro V1x, 910D3 (10.5*, C-1 SureFit Tour hosel setting, UST Mamiya ATTAS 6 stiff shaft), 910F (15*, D-4 SureFit Tour hosel setting, UST Mamiya ATTAS 7 stiff shaft) and a 910H (21*, A-1 SureFit Tour hosel setting, Project X HD-2 6.0 shaft).

    Also making the trip with me, AP2 710 irons (4 - PW) with KBS Tour shafts, my quiver of Vokey WedgeWorks Exclusives TVD (52*, 56* and 60*) with KBS Tour Black Nickel shafts, and the trusty Scotty Cameron Studio Select Kombi S.

    [UPDATE: Here is my current 2015 setup - a lot has changed in 4 years... Pro V1x, 915D3, 915 Fd 15*, 915Hd 20.5*, AP2 (714) irons, Vokey Design SM5 wedges 50.08 F, 54.14 F and 58.11 K, and my Scotty Cameron Select Squareback]

    The first tee time is at 1 p.m. tomorrow afternoon at Charlotte Golf Links in Charlotte, NC. Then it's 36-holes on Sunday and off to Augusta on Monday.

    I'll be sending more updates along the way and posting pictures of the journey, so keep checking back.

    Part Two

    After a quick flight down to Charlotte on Saturday morning, I picked up my bag from the carousel and hopped in the rental to head straight to the course. The wind was howling in Charlotte (steady 20 mph with gusts to 30+) so it made for an interesting round on the Charlotte Links. The course definitely lived up to its name. Didn't shoot anything to write home about, but had a good time nonetheless. A lot of great golf holes and we had to play a lot of different shots.

    On Sunday we headed out to Oak Hills in Columbia, SC for the first 18 and we had a great round. The course has some great character and there are plenty of scenic holes. The course is also in amazing shape. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Not a cloud in the sky and the temps made it into the high 70's.  Thankfully, I played much better. I like to think of it as getting the winter rust off.

    We wrapped up the first round, tossed the gear back in the trunk and made our way to the next destination: Cobblestone Park,another great course with some really fast greens. The game continued to hold up and we played as many holes as possible until the dinner reservation was in danger.

    All in all, not a complaint in the group for either course and now we're on the road headed down to Augusta. This day is many years in the making and I can't believe we are only a few short miles away.

    Part Three

    My journey is officially over but the good news is the tournament starts tomorrow and I'll be watching with a whole new appreciation after having the chance to set foot on Augusta National.

    The Monday practice round was unreal. We saw a number of great shots and players out on the course. We spent a lot of time at Amen Corner watching the different players make their way through one of the most famous stretches in all of golf.

    We traversed the course to see as many holes as possible so we could really soak in the experience.

    Personally, my favorite place at any tournament is the practice tee. Watching the guys hit shot after shot with effortless precision and power is captivating.

    There was so much to take in and I'm sure I missed something, despite best efforts, so I hope I'm lucky enough to make this journey again in the future.

    It really is hard to put the overall experience into words but the one word that echoes through my mind is amazing. Everything about Augusta National truly is amazing. 

    The envelope...
    The envelope...1/39
    The tickets
    The tickets2/39
    It didn't take us long to get lost
    It didn't take us long to get lost3/39
    The gang on the first tee at Charlotte Links
    The gang on the first tee at Charlotte Links4/39
    5/39
    6/39
    7/39
    8/39
    9/39
    10/39
    11/39
    Day 2: Early morning tee time = breakfast in cart.
    Day 2: Early morning tee time = breakfast in cart.12/39
    13/39
    14/39
    15/39
    16/39
    17/39
    18/39
    19/39
    I found a little bit of trouble off the tee, but...
    I found a little bit of trouble off the tee, but still made par.20/39
    21/39
    22/39
    We hit the road early to make it to Augusta before...
    We hit the road early to make it to Augusta before the gates opened... we weren't the only ones.23/39
    24/39
    25/39
    Team Titleist was well represented on the road to...
    Team Titleist was well represented on the road to Augusta.26/39
    And let the tour begin...
    And let the tour begin...27/39
    28/39
    29/39
    30/39
    31/39
    32/39
    33/39
    34/39
    35/39
    36/39
    37/39
    38/39
    39/39

  2. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military

    Mike,

    Thanks for re-posting your Journey to Augusta posts from 2011 along with the slideshow.  I can only imagine what an amazing trip that must have been!  I hope your wait to win lottery tickets again is very short.

    This years Masters is starting the week off with some really good story lines, so it will be interesting to see how they all play out!

    Barry

  3. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    This is definitely on my bucket list..   I apply every year for practice round tickets...  Hopefully someday i'll get lucky...  

    Thanks for sharing and loved the pictures...

  4. Jerry Wood

    Jerry Wood
    Byfield, MA

     Mike

    thanks for sharing such great Photos. At least these allow us to dream along with you.

    Jerry Wood

  5. Chris Hatem

    Chris Hatem
    Boston

    Awesome Mike! I can only wish to step foot on the grounds! Looks like you and the buds had a fun trip. Thanks for sharing, this is the week spring temperatures are coming.
  6. Hotsauce

    Hotsauce
    Georgetown MA

    Every year you must take a stroll down memory lane while the rest of us are dreaming of magnolia lane...  Thanks for sharing, and here's a great week of golf watching!

  7. Mike C

    Mike C
    Dallas, TX

    Thanks for sharing, Mike. As we all get pumped up this week about the first of the majors, it's cool to hear about your experience and see some of the photographs. It sounds crazy, but it just feels special when you are at Augusta National. Anybody who has visited can attest to that. Hopefully many of us will have a chance to go and visit for the tournament or one of the practice rounds to really experience Augusta (not to mention partaking in the pimento cheese sandwiches).
  8. Mike B

    Mike B
    Duluth, GA

    That is awesome . . . thank you for sharing!  Augusta National is a magical place!  It is definitely somewhere that everyone should see, whether you are a golf fan or not . . . unbelievable!

  9. Blake B

    Blake B
    Harbor Springs, MI

    Very, very jealous. Looks like an amazing time, I'll be right there with you in waiting for my lottery luck to hit!

    Happy Masters Week!

  10. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    Thanks for sharing that Mike.  I'm having a real lousy time getting through this winter season and seeing those photos really brings up my spirits - I truly appreciate it!!

    First thoughts reading the post - your clubs from only 4 seasons past.  I had a few of those in my bag too, but that seems like at least a decade ago!  And looking at those Southeastern courses.  I don't know how my wife and I were born and raised in the Northeast, because we both have the south in our blood.  We can't explain it, as we've lived here our entire lives, but New England just isn't home to us.

    But once again, thanks for the share.  I needed it!

    ps - where can one find those rear window Titleist decals?  I have a "I'd rather be driving a Titleist" and a TT sticker on my bumper, but the Titleist in the window is BOSS!

  11. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Thanks for sharing Mike. It is truly a special place. The memories that I have made from my visits there are definitely ones that I will cherish for a lifetime, from the first trip with my father to the last with a dear friend that passed away later that year in the fall.

    Each trip is a special one that you need to cherish as you never know when it will be your last.

  12. Rich T

    Rich T
    Shrewsbury, MA

    Thanks for re-posting, Mike.  Many people say it, and for very good reason...The Masters and Augusta National Golf Club are an experience to cherish and for the golf fan there are few places that can come close to matching it.  As much as TV does a nice job at bringing the spectator close to the visual beauty, the in-person experience is many times more spectacular.  Many memories that I will never forget...  

    There WILL be another trip, hopefully someday soon.

    Rich

  13. Cole W

    Cole W
    Winter Garden, FL

    Magnolia Lane is a place like none other.  That trip will be something you can always look back on.  My father and I had the opportunity to go to the Sunday round when Adam Scott won, absolutely beyond words what those memories mean to both of us.  Thanks for sharing!

  14. Brent Wells

    Brent Wells
    El Paso, TX

    Military

    Mike,

     

    Thanks for sharing that story.  I don't think I had ever seen it before, so it was nice to read.  Maybe someday I will be able to share an amazing story with TT about Augusta!!!

     

    Hope all is well brother!

     

    Brent

  15. Dan H

    Dan H
    Yulee, FL

    Great story Mike!!  Thanks for sharing and re-posting!!  What a great trip, experience and memories!!  This is my favorite golf week of the year and I can't imagine how the players can get calm with all of the anticipation to play the Masters when it is finally here.  

  16. ToddL

    ToddL
    Attleboro, MA

    Great story and memories.  My personal favorite from the practice rounds is the skipping of the ball on the water at #16.  

  17. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    Hey, Mike.  Thanks for taking us down Memory and Magnolia Lane.  What a great journey you had.  I'm sure all of us would love to experience it.  

  18. CoolBreeze

    CoolBreeze
    Sudbury, MA

    Truly great story Mike!  Thank you kindly for sharing!  Cheers to a great golf season!

  19. Lon M

    Lon M
    Englewod, FL

    Mike, I have been incredibly lucky and have made that journey twice now. First in 2013 and this year. A Monday practice round and this year a Wednesday and the par 3 contest. I was lucky enough to have my name drawn and took my nephew and two friends this year. The experience is almost beyond words. Like you, my favorite place is by the putting green and practice tee. Most of us can only dream about that effortless swing these guys have that just rockets a ball towards its target. Television doesn't come close to doing Augusta National justice. And smelling the azaleas and magnolias will set a standard that I just don't think can be met at any other golf course....at least none I have ever played. The best part of this years journey was a tee shot of TW's, my nephew and I were directly behind him, it sounded life a rifle shot and I am certain I have never seen a golf ball disappear that fast. My nephew, who carries a 4 handicap, just looked at me and said WOW.

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