My son and I got into the lottery drawing for Masters practice round tickets this year, and got two for the Monday practice round. Thanks to some good advice from Rebel (whom some of you may remember from the Spin Room or Memphis Political-Religious forums, and who lives in Augusta), we got there at 7:15. By 10:15 we had seen all 18 holes (our primary objective) and were sitting in the stands at Amen Corner, when the weather siren sounded due to thunderstorms in the area. Eventually the round was cancelled. We were somewhat bummed, as we would like to have stayed longer, but overall were actually pretty happy because we had accomplished all we set out to do.

See all 18 holes - Check.
Try out the pimiento cheese sandwiches and peach ice cream - Check.
Buy souvenirs - No, but that's what the Internet is for.

In short, we felt that we totally got our money's worth. Then I got the following email:

from Masters.Tournament
to me
2014 Masters Practice Round
Due to inclement weather conditions and safety concerns, it was necessary that we closed the gates for today's (April 7) Practice Round at 10:00AM.
As a purchaser of Monday Practice Round tickets, you will be sent a refund in May and will be guaranteed the opportunity to purchase 2015 Practice Rounds tickets. Further information will be included with the refund.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Masters.
Sincerely,
Credentials Committee
Masters Tournament

Not a bad exercise in customer service.

Congrats - no photos??

(04-07-2014 05:35 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  My son and I got into the lottery drawing for Masters practice round tickets this year, and got two for the Monday practice round. Thanks to some good advice from Rebel (whom some of you may remember from the Spin Room or Memphis Political-Religious forums, and who lives in Augusta), we got there at 7:15. By 10:15 we had seen all 18 holes (our primary objective) and were sitting in the stands at Amen Corner, when the weather siren sounded due to thunderstorms in the area. Eventually the round was cancelled. We were somewhat bummed, as we would like to have stayed longer, but overall were actually pretty happy because we had accomplished all we set out to do.

See all 18 holes - Check.
Try out the pimiento cheese sandwiches and peach ice cream - Check.
Buy souvenirs - No, but that's what the Internet is for.

In short, we felt that we totally got our money's worth. Then I got the following email:

from Masters.Tournament
to me
2014 Masters Practice Round
Due to inclement weather conditions and safety concerns, it was necessary that we closed the gates for today's (April 7) Practice Round at 10:00AM.
As a purchaser of Monday Practice Round tickets, you will be sent a refund in May and will be guaranteed the opportunity to purchase 2015 Practice Rounds tickets. Further information will be included with the refund.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Masters.
Sincerely,
Credentials Committee
Masters Tournament

Not a bad exercise in customer service.

That is impressive. I wouldn't say the Masters is in the service business but clearly the know how to take care of its customers.

(04-07-2014 11:04 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  

(04-07-2014 05:35 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  ...
Due to inclement weather conditions and safety concerns, it was necessary that we closed the gates for today's (April 7) Practice Round at 10:00AM.

As a purchaser of Monday Practice Round tickets, you will be sent a refund in May and will be guaranteed the opportunity to purchase 2015 Practice Rounds tickets. Further information will be included with the refund.

Thank you for your continued interest in the Masters.

Sincerely,
Credentials Committee
Masters Tournament

Not a bad exercise in customer service.

That is impressive. I wouldn't say the Masters is in the service business but clearly the know how to take care of its patrons.

FIFY

(04-07-2014 05:38 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Congrats - no photos??

I have one of my son standing by #10 green on Facebook. Will be putting more up there. Don't know how to post here.

I had the opportunity to take my son to the Masters a few years ago. We both agreed it was the most incredible sporting event we had ever attended! I literally got choked up the first time we walked onto the course when the attendant said "welcome to the Masters". At the time my son was a high school football recruit and I told him (probably after a few of the inexpensive Master's beers) that if he recieved a Rice scholarship I would take him EVERY year during his time at Rice! He made good on his end and we were able to return last year for one tournament day. This year, however, the tournament is the weekend of spring game and banquet so I will owe him a postgraduate trip. I would have to agree that the Masters customer service is unparallelled!

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend twice a few years back. Both times I was there for the par 3 tournament on Wednesday and the Thursday & Friday rounds. Absolutely one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

I lived in Augusta in the mid-80s. Back then practice round tickets were $10/day and $15 on Wednesday if you wanted to attend the par 3 tournament. Tickets were only sold the day of the practice round on a first-come basis. There was a daily limit on the number of tickets sold, but it was seldom reached. I think I attended every practice round during the four years I lived there. Obviously things have changed.

If you're interested in golf at all it is an amazing experience. The two things that impressed me the most were the elevation changes and the speed of the greens. You don't really get a true appreciation of those two things watching on television. Wish I was back there this week...sigh!

(04-08-2014 11:34 AM)AnotherOldOwl Wrote:  You don't really get a true appreciation of those two things watching on television. Wish I was back there this week...sigh!

+1 and +1

I think the greens may be not quite up to their usual standards this year. The late freezes hit Georgia pretty hard, and they are still recovering. But they are still damn fast, unbelievably so. The azaleas also do not look to be up to their usual standards, either. But the fairways are immaculate. You could eat off the fairways.

And the elevation changes are truly amazing. I have a photo of my son standing by #10 green with the fairway behind him. The vertical drop from tee to green is simply incredible. You don't get a feel for that on TV. Or stand on #6 tee and look down to #16 green. Just amazing.

Not surprised all of the blooming is delayed. I know where I'm at, cherry blossoms are late, pear trees are late, everything is late late late. Or more likely, condensing the allergy season to start later and still probably finish close to on time. My allergist has already warned me.

(04-08-2014 05:59 AM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(04-07-2014 05:38 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Congrats - no photos??

I have one of my son standing by #10 green on Facebook. Will be putting more up there. Don't know how to post here.

Here you go Owl 69.

Thanks, good buddy. Look at the slope of the fairway behind there. TV doesn't capture that. That bunker behind him looks flat on TV. From #10 tee to #12 green is a 200-foot (20-story) vertical drop.