This week, any person that has a right mind and television access will be tuning in to watch The Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia. People don't need to be a golf fan to love what goes on during this beautiful extended-weekend that happens every year. And when I say beautiful, I'm not just referring to the azaleas in Amen corner -- a famous nickname for the 11th, 12 and 13th holes at Augusta -- I'm talking about the golf too.
As I mentioned, you don't have to be a golf fan to like The Masters. I consider myself a year-round golf fan, yet last year when The Masters came around, it felt like most everyone I follow on Twitter, most of whom barely even knew the sport existed it felt, were right there with me as huge golf fans. There is just something different about The Masters.
The Masters is, for starters, the only "major" PGA Tour event held at the same place every year. Obviously, the four major tournaments get the most viewers, but the course is one reason The Masters stands out. Viewers have a familiarity with the course that entices them to keep watching. They know that just because a player is doing well after the 10th hole, they can throw it all away by putting their tee-ball in the lake on 11. Once fans watch a couple of times, they too are familiar with these things and it keeps them coming back.
One thing the fans familiar with the tournament know is what it means to see the Augusta National clubhouse come into sight as an in-car camera travels down Magnolia Lane: drama! You can watch all the Gossip Girl or Bachelor -- I have never watched either, but I assume those are considered drama -- you want, but I doubt they have as much drama as The Masters have every year. Every year, odds makers in Vegas determine who the favorites are for that year. Rarely are they right, and that is another beautiful part of The Masters. Almost every year someone whose name has never been heard weathers the storm and earns a green jacket. When a youngster who has been hyped up wins, they are considered a bona fide star because everyone knows that winning The Masters is truly something special.
If you are not a normal viewer or even a golf fan, I suggest that you give The Masters a try this year. I highly doubt that you will be disappointed. Let the golf take you away. What will start out looking like some guys hitting a ball around on Thursday will have you glued to the tv on Sunday. You will have (not want) to know if Tiger is really back, if Watson can repeat or if Rory can finally get a green jacket. Trust me, I'm so glad that I don't have to be the one who says I wasn't watching Bubba's shot on the first playoff hole of the 2012 Masters live. If you don't know what I'm talking about, that's ok; just don't miss this year's great moment.
8 hours from this minute, three of the greatest golfers of all time (Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer) will knock drives down the first fairway of Augusta National as The Masters' honorary starters. At that moment, the greatest four days in all of sports will commence. Amen to that!
