Memories of the Masters

Simon Elliott

North America | United States

There are four official Grand Slam events in professional golf and for the irrepressibly devoted the Masters shines the brightest of all. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that every year golf’s finest always return to Augusta National Golf Club to chase the coveted Green Jacket, while the other majors rotate through a selection of courses. For a few fortunate souls who manage to secure a patron’s badge for the event, attending the Masters ranks high on the bucket list of life’s special occasions. In 2012 I was one such soul, and learned firsthand that nothing quite compares to hearing the legendary roars of the crowd on Sunday as another incredible battle unfolds amidst the azaleas.

Trip to the Masters Golf Tournament Standing at the 17th tee on Sunday as the final pairings came through offered me the perfect perspective on all the action. Over the shoulder of the golfer teeing off I had a clear view of the par three 16th green while to my right loomed the towering old scoreboard. As the roars emanated from Amen Corner or the 15th a hand would appear to remove one red number and replace it with another. I was just a few feet away as Bubba Watson stepped up and sliced his drive wide, his lanky arm pointing left warning patrons of the errant tee shot. We feared the tournament was over, but how wrong we were. Indeed, an incredible Masters moment was about to unfold. This was too cool.

“Nothing compares to the legendary roars of the crowd.”

Of the many memories a trip to the Masters offers, I’ve been telling anyone who asks that the biggest impression is that it is like stepping back in time to attend the greatest country club championship ever. Traditions run deep here and patrons (not ‘fans’) are expected to comply.

There are no corporate tents or logos, no cellphones or cameras permitted. Heck, there is no running permitted! Your personal chair with your name on the back if left unoccupied will remain untouched and unmoved. A beer and a pimento sandwich can be had for under $5 once inside the grounds. A popular approach is to plant your chair in the morning in a post where you’d like to be later in the day, walk the course and then return to it for the afternoon.

Experience The Masters in 2019

Watch Tiger and the world’s best golfers battle for one of golf’s most coveted championships on our Augusta Masters Golf trip, and commune with the greats at the Cathedral in the Pines. Click below to download the full itinerary, or click here to email Trip Designer Jon Lansdell to design a Bespoke trip customized just for you.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Above all, the Masters is about experiencing moments. That is the magic of it and each person in attendance experiences the tournament in its truest form. This is one of the reasons why The Masters fits so well with what we do at B&R as we have always emphasized the importance of living in the moment. Looking back on the 2012 Masters I am reminded that experiencing this tournament on television will just never be the same. Masters While the ticket to Sunday at the Masters is reason enough to join us in Augusta, at B&R we think our travellers should also have the opportunity to play inspired golf. That’s why we reserve time the following day at the Cuscowilla Golf resort on Lake Oconee—where we stay for the duration of the trip—to take in a round. Highly ranked and regarded as #1 “Best Course You Can Play in Georgia” by Golfweek 2011, this Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore designed golf course offers a wonderful challenge as it winds through rolling meadows and valleys of pine.

Simon Elliott

Simon loves riding his bike anywhere in the world. Our Director, Industry Partners, spreads the B&R gospel to our friends in the travel industry. He's lived in South Korea and South Africa, and has held a number of roles in the company, including office party Santa, and leader of the B&R rock band to boot!