Greetings from the Masters!

As many of you know, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of attending the Masters in Augusta, Georgia on my birthday. Today was the day!

I arrived at the gates outside Washington Road at 9 a.m. and I picked up my badge. Masters policy requires any bags over 10"x5"x5" to be checked (which meant my camera bag had to be checked, but I could hand-carry my camera in). There are metal detectors at the entrance--just like at the airports. Once inside, they scan all badges (to make sure they're authentic) plus I had to show my PGA credentials again. I could not believe the crowds there to watch a practice round...it reminded me of the State Fair, with wall-to-wall people.

The gate entrance brings one in right past the Golf Shop (ka-ching!$$) concession stands and the official scoreboard, to the right of the first hole. I checked out the players on the first tee, Sergio Garcia and Camilo Villegas were walking down the first hole. (Photo op!) I spent half an hour just walking around the outside of the club house, Butler Cabin, Eisnehower Cabin and taking TONS of photos.

Of course Masters tradition includes the famous $1.50 Pimento Cheese Sandwich, so I felt obligated to try one...not too bad, I might add. Prices for food are incredibly reasonable since founder Cliff Roberts felt patrons pay enough for a badge to get in, that food prices need to remain reasonable. Good thing, but they make up for it in the Golf Shop!

After lunch I walked the back nine and the first thing a 'first-timer' notices and talks about is the elevation change and how when you watch it on TV, it doesn't begin to capture the rolling holes, etc. It was a thrill to see Amen Corner, holes 11, 12 and 13 up close. It's tradition at the par 3 16th hole for players to skip golf balls across the pond to the green after they hit their tee shots. I sat in the stands for an hour watching players like Steve Lawry, Justin Leonard, Brian Bateman and Fred Couples.

The birthday day concluded with dinner at Outback Steakhouse and looking at the 200-some photos I took today. I'm headed back in the morning for more photos and the Par 3 contest before I return to Atlanta for my flight back to West Palm.

Definitely a birthday to remember!

~Le Ann