Road to the Masters!! Preparation Week!!

The US Masters is fast approaching and we have been in the US for approx 8-9 days preparing and playing for the worlds biggest tournament. Our 1st stop was West Palm in Florida for Bryden to catch up with his trainer, Dave Donatucci. Dave has been Bryden's trainer for the past few years and Bryden really enjoys the work Dave does, as well as how he does it!
It was great for me to meet another member of Bryden's team as well as see them both in action, another experience that proves to me that Bryden is on track to being a Top 10 player in the future.

We then headed off to Augusta for a few days which led me to my very first drive up Magnolia Lane as well as the first time I ever set my eyes on Augusta National, or what the players call "The National".
What can I say about this experience! I honestly cannot put into words what this experience was like for me! Being a golfer for the past 18yrs and watching the Masters nearly every year since, I had extremely high expectations when it came to this golf course and club. All I will say is that the TV does not do Augusta National justice, or for that matter even come close.
Augusta National is one of the most amazing sporting facilities in the world, but it is so much more than that! There truly are no words to describe the beauty or the exclusivity of being on the Augusta National grounds. The course seems like a small portion of the grounds, and in reality is, with amazing cabins and practise facilities taking up so much space. I have never come close to seeing such amazingly manicured grounds, or perfectly placed beauty, while all the time feeling like if I took one mistep, I would be shown the front gate.
Bryden and I then headed to Atlanta for the week before the Masters for the Georgia Cup. The Georgia Cup is a Match play exhibition between the US Amateur Champion (Kelly Kraft) and the British Amateur Champion. This event was held at The Golf Club of Georgia and this year was its 15th Anniversary. Seeing the event only has 2 players, the club goes to amazing lengths to make sure that each player can attend, as well as while they are there in Atlanta they are treated like Kings! This begins with the keys to a brand new Mercedes GL450, which is approx $120,000 car for the entire week. This as well as a sweet leather golf bag, apparel and an honorary life membership to the Golf Club of Georgia. I have never seen any sporting event treat the players, family and friends in such a way. Anything we wanted, we got! We got to eat at the club ALL week at no charge, use the facilities at NO charge as well as if we needed anything at the Pro Shop, it was ours at NO charge!! The members and committee at the Golf Club took the Southern Hospitality to a whole new level and I cant thank them enough for the week they provided for myself and Bryden. Bryden Won this match 2/1 over Kelly and it was ideal preperation for both players heading into Augusta.

Bryden and I got the chance to play a course called Peachtree. Peachtree was designed by Bobby Jones and we believe it was built as a Masters back up, just in case something happened to Augusta National. I must say, after playing there I can say it is very much like Augusta and I feel priveledged to have had the oppurtunity to play such a course.
We will be heading to Augusta on Saturday for our next practise round and moving into the house we will be settling in for the week on Sunday. Brydens game is coming around nicely and I am sure it will continue to improve over the next 3-4 days before Masters week.
Personally I cant wait to get amongst it next week as I know I am ready for the week and I know Bryden is ready for the week! If his game come's together next Thursday & Friday, we both will be ready to grab the tournament by the balls and shake the hell out of it!

 
                                        B-Mac and I at the Floridian in Florida after a practise round.