Sunday, April 08, 2007

Masters mad dash


I just followed the final pairing of Tiger Woods and Stuart Appleby for a while. After they made the turn and I headed back toward the media center to watch the back nine on the jumbo TVs, I couldn't help but notice a curious Masters tradition -- an early stampede of thousands of "patrons" outtahere.

I first noticed it a couple of years ago, just as the leaders were heading into Amen Corner and the Masters was about to get thrilling. I asked around and was told that many locals get their fill of golf and Augusta National during the morning and early afternoon, then make a mad dash home to watch the big finish on TV. Strange but true.

2 comments:

Dennis Campbell said...

You were going to the press room to do the same thing, watch the end on TV. Why would you think it's strange that the other people were doing the same thing? I go to the Masters every year and we always fly home Saturday night so we can watch the action at home on Sunday. Let's face it, if you aren't in the crowd that's roaring, you're missing the best action. As I'm sure you know, it's impossible to be everywhere and as the day roles along the crowds at each hole get deeper and deeper to the point where you would have to be 7 feet tall to see anything.

Woods Hole Sea Grant said...

I dunno.... if any one of those "patrons" want to give me the opportunity of a lifetime just to stroll the course by giving me their passes, I'd be happy to buy them a bottle of Maker's Mark or J&B for a Sunday afternoon of TV viewing.