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IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
Golf
- Thread starter Michael
- Start date
Speak for yourselves!
Amen to that !!
But you can see that on most golf courses during the week. I think I'd really prefer to see far more of the real contenders or top players to watch, like Cam Smith, than the old geezers farting their way around. Seriously, it's a much vaunted golf MAJOR. [How much did you see of Smith's amazing shot out of the bunker with a fairway wood for an eagle on Par-5. I saw it but once. If it was Woods or Snuffler, would have been replayed 20 times by now]
So stayed up far too late seeing the end of the catch-up session played in awful weather. Wow again! Finally saw some of Cam ... but never fear, it wasn't because the Yank network (CBS or whatever) wanted to show some glimpses of his round. It was only because, after following the group of Rahm, Hovland and Young very closely not missing a shot or a lost ball or penalty shot etc, they had to complete the actual rd and Smith and Co were last group.
But this what BS the coverage is. After a good par on the 17th, Smith drove it into trouble left in trees/bushes, similar to Tiger earlier who bogeyed 18 (playing most difficult hole). So while they're spouting their nonsense, we eventually see his group's approach shots to 18th green. We see Smith get a free drop from a soggy cart-path before hitting a 5-metal or something short. He pitches superbly for a one -putt. Head honcho, Jim Nantz, acclaims a great par-saving putt but the scoring graphic shows a bogey ... until he realises.
So, because it's only an 'Ossie', and LIV into the bargain, they couldn't be bothered showing us that Smith's ball, presumably was in the bushes and he must have just been able to chip it out to the path and thus took a 5. Or that's what I was left to guess.
There would be no way they would completely miss this lost shot if it was Woods, Spieth or the Snuffler (and only Spieth is ahead of CS - by 1 shot).
The coverage is unprofessional - and saturated with American xenophobia dipped in corn and schmaltz. Observable for decades.
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Bit bored at the moment, so thought I would share some of the little known pleasures about visiting Augusta.
We all know about the course, we’ve all been watching it for years. And the cheap tucker and beverages, but there’s a lot of other things that make it an awesome experience.
There‘s telephones on course (outside main gift shops at both north and south entrances, beside 18th fairway, behind 6th green) where you can call anywhere in the world. Free of charge. I rang my Mrs and kids, and my parents. On the receivers phone the caller ID shows up as Augusta National. Pretty cool I reckon.
The majority of staff working there are volunteers. They are just happy to be there like the rest of us. They don’t get paid for their work, but are rewarded for their efforts with the opportunity to play the course prior to it closing in May. These volunteers are everywhere, including the toilets, directing everyone where to go with a smile and good humour, and always saying “welcome to the masters”. It’s a little thing, but adds heaps to the experience.
You go overboard in the gift shops, can’t help yourself. They have a checking service where they hold your goods until you leave at the end of the day, or they will ship your goods back home for a small fee. Sure beats carrying your stuff around all day.
There are other small things that add up to a lot. But if anyone gets the chance to go I say jump! It’s the best organised sporting event I’ve been to by a country mile.
We all know about the course, we’ve all been watching it for years. And the cheap tucker and beverages, but there’s a lot of other things that make it an awesome experience.
There‘s telephones on course (outside main gift shops at both north and south entrances, beside 18th fairway, behind 6th green) where you can call anywhere in the world. Free of charge. I rang my Mrs and kids, and my parents. On the receivers phone the caller ID shows up as Augusta National. Pretty cool I reckon.
The majority of staff working there are volunteers. They are just happy to be there like the rest of us. They don’t get paid for their work, but are rewarded for their efforts with the opportunity to play the course prior to it closing in May. These volunteers are everywhere, including the toilets, directing everyone where to go with a smile and good humour, and always saying “welcome to the masters”. It’s a little thing, but adds heaps to the experience.
You go overboard in the gift shops, can’t help yourself. They have a checking service where they hold your goods until you leave at the end of the day, or they will ship your goods back home for a small fee. Sure beats carrying your stuff around all day.
There are other small things that add up to a lot. But if anyone gets the chance to go I say jump! It’s the best organised sporting event I’ve been to by a country mile.
Speak for yourselves!
But you can that on most golf courses during the week. I think I'd really prefer to see far more of the real contenders or top players to watch, like Cam Smith, that the old geezers faring their way around. Seriously, it's a much vaunted golf MAJOR.
So stayed up far too late seeing the end of the catch-up session played in awful weather Wow! Finally saw some of Cam ... but never fear, it wasn't because the Yank network (CBS or whatever) wanted to show some glimpses of his round. It was only because, after following the group of Rahm, Hovland and Young closely, they had to complete the rd and Smith and Co were last group.
But this what BS the coverage is. After a good par on the 17th, Smith drove it into trouble left in trees/bushes, similar to Tiger earlier who bogeyed 18 (playing most difficult hole). So while they're spouting their nonsense, we eventually see his group's approach shots to 18th green. We see Smith get a free drop from a soggy cart-path before hitting a 5-metal or something short. He pitches superbly for a one -putt. Head honcho, Jim Nantz, agreat saving par but the scoring graphic shows a bogey ... until he realises.
So, because it's only an 'Ossie', and LIV into the bargain, they couldn't be bothered showing us that Smith's ball, presumably was in the bushes and he must have just been able to chip it out to the path and thus took a 5.
There would be no way they would completely miss this lost shot if it was Woods, Spieth or the Snuffler (and only Spieth is ahead of CS - by 1 shot).
The coverage is unprofessional - and saturated with xenophobic American corn and schmaltz. Observable for decades.
Hearing you Leon, this is a small part as to why LIV was born.
Lots of players shown, no favour given. Someone’s hitting, let’s show it, no matter their country of origin or status.
But I love the Masters, and will watch it regardless of quality of viewing.
And the broadcasters know that. They show what their biggest audience wants to see, the good old US of A boys.
Do yourself a favour and download the Masters app. Select your favourite players and watch all their shots. It’s pretty good.
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Thanks for the tidbits Mopsy. Is the merchandise reasonably priced too? How much for a cap or polo shirt?
How bad is this? Why are these trees falling with so much rain around there?
The merchandise is where they get your cash tigerman. Prices in US dollars
Caps $32
Towels $19
Set of 4 ball markers $20
Golf shirts $80
Garden gnomes (massively sought after, I never realised) $45
Drinking glasses, from coffee mugs to tumblers stretch from $15 - $60.
Heaps of other stuff available too.
It must be said though, it’s all very good quality stuff. I still have shirts and towels still going strong from my visit back in 2014.
They‘re very smart, by making all their merchandise only available on course, and not online, people lose their minds in there and spend up big. Most don’t know when, if ever, they will get the chance to buy this stuff again.
Really bad; so dangerous! Seen another shot from in front of that 17 tee looking backwards. Trees look obviously overgrowing/over-crowded; really packed into a tight area with many bent or at odd angles. I think, and forester 101 advice most likely, would have been to thin them out urgently. Trouble awaiting to occur.
Very lucky not several killed. Amazing thing is, you notice most people stand up and watch. Not many have the instincts to get the **** out of there.
Fair enough too. But probably the prices are in mind of a lucrative market for on-selling too. As you say, 'merchandise only available on course'. And how many people will ever really get there.
Will heed your advice, thanks. But my criticism is partly of the TV rights broadcaster for their frustrating coverage - I'm fine with showing some footage of a wide variety of players, including international not just US, but sometimes it veers too far away from the genuine contenders or quality players, except if they're US. Not sure we have to see heaps of guys who are 30 shots off the pace.
The other half is at the organisers - Larry Mize is treated like a saint (relic!) because he's an Augusta local legend etc. etc. No matter how many years his actual golf has been totally irrelevant to the game in reality. Meanwhile young Herbie, trying to make some $$ and forge a career is denied a start.
And why doesn't Mize, consistent with all this American schmaltz then, get grouped with some young US amateurs/pros I wonder, not 'Ossies"?
Oh yes the re-selling market is very strong. Just like tickets to the event itself. The prices charged by ANGC are multiplied at least 10 fold by the re-sellers.
I won’t do it, but reckon if you checked eBay over the coming weeks you will see heaps of stuff being offered at inflated prices.
Once I decided to go I was in the market for a Monday ticket. Nearly jumped at US $995 5 days before arriving. Baulked at that.
On the Saturday best I could find was on Stubhub at around US $1800. Passed on that too.
Hung around outside the gates on Monday from mid morning and bought a ticket from an early leaver for face value - $100.
I was lucky. But my research told me that lots of weekly ticket holders use the Monday to purchase all their merchandise and then get out of there. There would have been heaps that paid 15 x that.
Drofgusta National bites back !!!! That'll teach these suckers to fool around with a masterpiece.
Tough going this 2023 US Masters. Disjointed. Annoying.
Anyway, with round 2 complete here is how the battle for the Red Jacket looks.
Best 6 round of the day went to Kings of leon with a pack bursting -11. Equal second best 6 of the day went to spoof and tigerman with -5 apiece. Tigerman may be tough to run down but with this weather...who knows.
Perhaps the story of the Masters is the poor showing of two big guns: last year's winner Tenacious and local expert Moops. Lift duds.
Check your scores. The Chairman has been driving all day and just got home.
Tough going this 2023 US Masters. Disjointed. Annoying.
Anyway, with round 2 complete here is how the battle for the Red Jacket looks.
Best 6 round of the day went to Kings of leon with a pack bursting -11. Equal second best 6 of the day went to spoof and tigerman with -5 apiece. Tigerman may be tough to run down but with this weather...who knows.
Perhaps the story of the Masters is the poor showing of two big guns: last year's winner Tenacious and local expert Moops. Lift duds.
Check your scores. The Chairman has been driving all day and just got home.
This is an interesting topic of conversation, in that we don’t really know what control the ANGC hold over the coverage.
History dictates a fair bit actually though
One commentator from CBS was banned from commentating for 5 years after referring to the the punters on course as a mob, not patrons.
Another was banned for life for suggesting the greens were not mowed but more like bikini waxed.
Point being maybe what we see is controlled by Augusta National themselves, not the broadcasters?
Haha, thousands spent to get the upper hand all for nought. So much for local knowledge.
Never again!!
Those episodes are amazing, and consistent with AN being both extremely controlling, conservative and judgmental ... from a perspective of the Deep South ... from a century ago.
Sure we all love this event and tournament and have followed it early mornings for years. But we should remember what struck me from watching as a teenager with Norman's epic losses/choke. I just asked myself why has it held such a hold over me? In short, for me, I think it's the great beauty of the course along with all the charm and (exaggerated?) dignity of the tournament.
That makes it seem such an incredible achievement to win.
But I also well remember watching it from the times were virtually all the caddies were (assigned by AN, I think) black caddies in bright white overalls, still. And there were no black golfers until Lee Elder, of course.
Then came Tiger, who along with the dramatic social changes compelled by earlier, major historical events such as the radical, rebelliouds 60s and Vietnam, blew all that entrenched racism apart.
Still, the values they stand for today? I'm not sure I'm all that aligned.
Little side-note: their tribute to Mize finishing his Augusta run included, of course, the old footage of his lengthy and lucky chip-in to beat Norman. Just couldn't help but feel that it might have been a sly swipe back at the Shark and LIV, despite the creditable inviting of the celebrated LIV players, for now. But that was essential for their image and reputation too anyway - they have to be able to claim the field is world's best - for the prestige of this AN event. Although we have Lyle, Mize, Olathabal and Co, not young tearaways like Herbie.
Gary Player is offside too (maybe he's a cranky old B though), but they would cop heaps if they excluded this old past hero.
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That's not a Kenny Callander report
No mention of 'Courth' (Course)
No 'Marthers' (Masters)
Scheffler (easy for him to say with his fthhh, rth, pffft sounds
Scheffler leads the Masters here at Rowth Hill
Some of our Authie boys are early favourites here at the Golden Thlippa, Orgusta.
Brook Copkar is playing like a pure thoroughbred
And the best "Worried Farm"
Now thaths tha Kenny Callander report
I remember the Norman days as a young pup going to work in the City, Collins St.
Get into the city around 7am and walk up Elizabeth St.
Stand outside the old Brash's store there, in between Collins & Bourke Streets.
About 20-30 of us watching the golf on their front window TV screens.
Wouldn't leave until it was over, sometimes after 9am, bad luck being late for work aye
Watching him self-destruct on their front window TV Screens
Sad endings every year but still got some good memories
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