Some of this could be yours. Time’s running out to enter to win.
Just stopping by to remind you that Masters Month officially ends at midnight EDT, Thursday, April 30.
That means you have about 24 hours left to enter to win one of two Masters Ball Markers or two Masters Golf Balls that are up for grabs to four lucky readers.
All you have to do to enter is make a minimum of $5 contribution in support of the work we’re doing here at The Sports Fan Project by 11:59 p.m. EDT Thusday night.
That’s it, that’s all you’ve got to do!
If you’re an ongoing supporter who’s topped $5 or more this month you’re already entered but, of course, you’re welcome to show us some more love.
Please direct your browser to this link to make that contribution safely and securely:
After being shutout in the annual ticket lottery for each of the past dozen times I’d entered, apparently 13 was – in fact – my lucky number!
And, since I’m currently more than skosh behind in publishing posts for each of my events, I figured I should get my readers something about my Masters experience before, you know, the 2026 Presidents Cup is contested in late September😉
Clockwise from upper left, this sign says it all; the azaleas were in bloom; captured a shot of my dad in front of The Masters scoreboard near the first tee; 2-time Masters’ champion, Jose Maria Olazabal was on the course during my time out and about.
Here, then, are a few of my initial thoughts about time spent on the grounds at Augusta National Golf Club a week ago today.
Like the other major North American golf events I’ve attended to date (U.S. Open, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Solheim Cup) the distance from the parking lot or the shuttle bus drop off to actually, you know, being able to see golf, is a long, long way. I’d estimate the distance from the north parking area at The Masters (props on the free parking and plentiful handicapped parking, by the way!) to the Tournament Practice Area was easily a quarter mile. To the clubhouse and the first tee/18th green area was closer to a half to three-quarters of a mile (the latter part up a significant hill). All of which was doable for Wayne and I, for our octogenarian fathers (one 82 the other 86) it was a lot.
Of those North American events I’ve attended – and I’ll even throw in The Open Championship in Troon, Scotland, in this one as well – none have operated with the level of efficiency that The Masters did. From parking, to the queue to enter the North Gate, to the toilet lines, to the help in the merchandise stores, and the concessions area, I’d say the motto of this tournament was next-in-line service. It was all a well-lubricated machine. To wit, as we stood in an unholy long line to visit the men’s room before making our way to the store, I overheard the fellas in front of us say, “At any other event, a line this long would take 45 minutes to an hour. I bet we’re through this in like six minutes.” They weren’t too far off. It was closer to eight minutes from queuing to exit, but my goodness did that line move! No fewer than four staff in the men’s room keeping things organized – and tidy – certainly helped the cause.
The only thing I can compare the beauty of the grounds to is visiting a Disney theme park. The meticulous care that is visible in creating an inviting environment for the human senses is evident throughout. The white sand in the bunkers, the pine straw, the magnolia trees, azalea bushes, and the finely manicured grass is like nothing I’ll likely see again unless I’m lucky enough to go back.
Of the five previous major golf events I’ve attended on this journey, Augusta National was the first – and will be the only – host site that is a fixed location. That is, it’s played at the same spot year after year. That’s allowed the course to do things the other host sites have been unable to do. Such as permanent camera towers and broadcasting spots, a bona fide store (not a massive temporary tent), permanent structures for concessions and picnic areas, etc. All of it helped create the sense that this was not the first time the hosts had done this, which, in fact, it has not. This was the 90th Masters and I’ll wager there’s another 90 in store … at least!
Egg Salad Sandwich vs. Pimento Cheese Sandwich – These are the two that are always mentioned when the conversation turns to the food at Augusta National. First, it’s the price (just $1.50 a sandwich!). Second, it’s the sandwich itself. Well, I tried both and while it may be blasphemy in the American South to say this, I preferred the egg salad, but then again, I am not a big cheese guy (though my kids would say I’m cheesy to be sure). I’d also offer that while good, the egg salad at Augusta National does not compare to those you’re able to get at convenience stores in Japan. Please, 7-Eleven, stock your American stores with the pillowing goodness that is the Japanese egg salad sandwiches!
One of my father’s to-dos while on the grounds was to see Magnolia Lane. Unless we were provided membership status for the day, the only way to accomplish this was to have our Patron Photo taken at Founders Circle which sits directly in front of the clubhouse at the end of Magnolia Lane. No personal photography was permitted in this area so you’ll have to take my father’s word for it when he said, “It was longer than I thought it would be.”
The famed oak tree between the clubhouse and the first tee is as massive as I’d heard. It was so big, in fact, I had a difficult time capturing all of it in a photograph. Estimates place the trees age at about 170 years old.
Amen Corner (e.g. Holes No. 11, 12, and 13) is really out there. I suppose I knew this, but having walked out to see one of the most famous parcels of golf course property in the world, I better understood what one of The Masters’ Radio talking heads meant when he noted it was almost a spiritual space for the players because it was, relatively speaking, a quiet spot amid an otherwise chaotic Augusta National during Masters Week. There’s not a lot of room for patrons out there so it lends itself, I’d wager, for moments of introspection on the part of the players.
Would I do it again?
Let me ask you, does Rory McIlroy seemed destined to win a few more majors now that the shackles of having never won The Masters was lifted a year ago?
The answer, to both I believe, is yes!
Certainly, having now been there once, I feel as though I’d have a better plan in place for how to enjoy my time on the property, whether watching a tournament day or just being present during a practice session.
I will, most assuredly, enter the annual ticket lottery again … and again … and again … and hope that lightning strikes at least once more.
In the meantime, I have a couple of mementos I’d love to give away to readers such as you. I have a pair of Masters ball markers and a pair of Masters logo golf balls that really should get into the homes of fellow sports fans. To enter, I humbly request the following: a $5 or more contribution of support to The Sports Fans Project by the end of Masters’ Month (e.g. 11:59 p.m., April 30). You’re able to make said contribution at this link. I will conduct a random draw of all entries in early May.
Clockwise from upper left, Brian Harman gives hope to all the diminutive golfers out there; the concession prices are always right at Augusta National; players walk toward the 16th green after practice shots and a golf ball skipping exhibition; the player on the left is Bryson Dechambeau heading over the bridge at No. 13; the 170-year-old oak tree stand sentry outside the clubhouse; I do not tire of seeing this photo of my dad and I in Founders Circle; which way to go?
Another no-crop Fan Teaser Friday! Pictured above is the answer to one of the best trivia questions ever. Who’s the only man to win a MLB World Series and play in The Masters? Bonus points for naming the other three men he’s pictured with above.
A native of Georgia, Byrd grew up in Birmingham, AL, where the family home was next to Roebuck Golf Course. That’s where he learned the game of golf. A product of Simpson High School, he was a 2-sport star there, playing both baseball and basketball. It was baseball that afforded Byrd his first taste of professional sport.
He signed with the Birmingham Barons of the Southern Association as a 20-year-old in 1926. A scant year later the New York Yankees and purchased his contract and assigned him to the Albany Senators. By 1929 he was playing for the Yankees alongside Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. It was with the Yankees in 1932 that he appeared in one World Series Game during the pinstripers’ sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
Speedy and solid defensively in the outfield, near the end of his time with Yankees, Byrd’s role became primarily that of a defensive replacement and/or pinch-runner for the aging Ruth, thus earning the nickname “Babe Ruth’s Legs.” Released by the Yankees following the 1934 season, Byrd signed with the Cincinnati Reds for a pair of seasons before a knee injury following a wall collision in an early night baseball game led to the end of his professional baseball career. His pursuits on the PGA Tour began in 1936 even though he’d turned pro in 1933.
Even while a baseball player, Byrd earned the reputation as the best golfer among the Major Leaguers. He would often play with Ruth and, of course, there was money involved. Later in life, Byrd paraphrased Lee Trevino when he said, “I had to win. Babe could afford to lose $50; I couldn’t.”
Golf legend, Bobby Jones, played with Byrd in 1930 and said of him, “The best man off the tee I’ve ever seen.” In January of 1937 Byrd won a baseball players’ tournament by a whopping 14 shots in Sarasota, FL.
Ultimately, Byrd became the head pro at Pennysylvania’s famed Merion Golf Club (host of the 2026 U.S. Amateur) before moving to Michigan to succeed Jimmy Demaret as the pro Plum Hollow Country Club. All along, he was stacking experience on the Tour, winning the Greater Greensboro Open in 1942 over the likes of Ben Hogan. A year prior, he finished in third place at The Masters behin only winner Craig Wood and Byron Nelson. He and Nelson tangled again in the 1945 PGA Championship, when Nelson bested Byrd 4-and-3 in the match play championship.
All totaled, Byrd won 11 professional golf tournaments including six on the PGA Tour and had the top three finishes at both The Masters and PGA Championship. His best finish in the U.S. Open came in 1939 when he tied for 16th.
After his playing career ended, Byrd became a noted golf instructor and one of his proteges, Jimmy Ballard, became a wildly successful instructor and coach, earning the honor of “PGA Coach of the 1980s.” You’re able to read more about this at this link.
Extra Credit Answer: For those wondering who the additional fellas are above, on the left that’s Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. In the photo at right is Byrd and Ben Hogan during a tournament in Portland, OR.
Enjoy this wonderful video about Byrd’s life on and off the golf course.
dJust to review, The Fan Teaser was the creation of former Ann Arbor News Sports Editor Geoff Larcom. Longtime friend and fellow Ann Arbor News alum, Pat Schutte, took it to heights previously unknown. We aim to keep it alive here at The Sports Fan Project. The cropped photo and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.
My dad and I in front of the clubhouse at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo by The Masters)
My number finally came up this year having been drawn in the annual Masters’ Lottery.
I received the notification as my family and I drove down a mountain near Estes Park, CO, in July 2025 and – quite frankly – have been nervously excited about the experience ever since.
When I registered for the aforementioned lottery, I selected every possible session (Augusta National Women’s Amateur, three Masters‘ practice days, and all four competition days) and when I learned I’d been selected for Wednesday, well, I attended Wednesday.
This bonus Conversation is just my dad and I (my friend Wayne and his father also attended) briefly discussing what it was like to be there as Event No. 51 of my Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project. (Spoiler: It did not suck!)
Albeit a tad road weary, here are some initial thoughts about our time on at Augusta National Golf Club during Masters Week.
Word has it, Augusta National Golf Club is even prettier in person than on our screens. (Photo August National Golf Club)
In all likelihood, as you read this, I’m about to enter Augusta National Golf Club for a day on the grounds as the place (and players) readies itself for The Masters which begin tomorrow.
It will be Event No. 51 of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project and I really don’t care that I won’t see any competitive golf (aside from some Par 3 Tournament action, possibly).
It’s Augusta Frigging National!!!
I’d entered the lottery for 13 straight years and, finally – mercifully! – I did not receive a “We’re sorry” letter this time.
So the kid who grew up in a mobile home in Adams County Indiana and his octogenarian father (along with another father-son pair) will walk into this place I’m told is even more magificent in person than today’s High Definition screens show.
Cell phones are strictly forbidden for us patrons so you won’t see the usual updates from an event on my social channels. Instead, you’ll just have to wait until I figure out how to get the photos off my son’s digital camera onto my computer.
This pretty much sums it up for millions of would-be Masters attendees.
Monday was the day I’ve grown to dread these past dozen years.
It’s the day the millions of us who submit our names to The Masters to be entered into the drawing to receive one of the coveted grounds passes to the “tradition unlike any other” learn our fate.
Invariably it is rejection.
In fact, I’ve now been rejected more by the folks at Augusta National Golf Club than I was by all the girls combined I asked out during my awkward high school years. (To be fair, you could probably fit the total number of would-be high school dates on one hand so it’s not really even a fair comparison;-)
I knew it was getting close to my annual Rejection Day, but I didn’t know it was Monday until I saw the terrific Facebook meme that Golf Digest posted (see above) featuring the image of 2025 Champion Rory McIlroy in jubilatory anguish after finally completing the career grand slam.
So, with more than a little bit of trepidation and whole lot of resignation, I opened my Gmail amid the scenic splendor of Roosevelt National Forest on our journey down from Estes Park, CO.
“Congratulations, your ticket application was selected.”
I audibly gasped. I took a deep breath and looked at the message again. Yep, that says “Congratulations, your ticket applications was selected.”
I handed the phone to my daughter, Helena, in the backseat for verification.
“Yes, that says ‘selected,'” she confirmed. “How exciting, dad! You’re going to The Masters! I wonder if I received an email?”
(Spoiler: She, like millions of others, did not.)
Thirteen years in the making, I finally received good news from The Masters.
Excited … stunned … gobsmacked … you name it, I probably felt it at that moment.
When I set out on the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, I figured the most difficult – and/or the most expensive! – tickets to secure would be The Masters, Wimbledon, and the Super Bowl, likely in that order. That I was able to nab one of that trio through the luck of the draw process is heartening – and budget preserving! – to be sure.
After a few celebratory moments (and a couple of calming breaths), I followed the links provided to find out exactly what day I’d been drawn for.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
It’s the final practice day for the golfers prior to the competition beginning and it’s also the day of the annual Par 3 Contest which has developed into a bit of an event unto itself. While, sadly, not a competition day, Wednesday does afford me and three of my guests to be on the grounds of one of golf’s cathedrals and, because it’s a practice day, personal cameras are permitted (just no cell phones) so I should be able to capture some moments and images from the day.
2025 Master Champion Rory McIroy is emotional after winning in a playoff. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
My final round viewing of the 2025 Masters was, perhaps, the most 21st Century thing I’ve done since watching the Detroit Tigers’ deciding playoff game against the Cleveland Guardians on a Dallas-area light rail train on my to the Texas State Fairgrounds and the Cotton Bowl to see the 2024 Red River Rivalry between the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas (part of Event No. 8 of Around the World in 80 Sporting Events).
Huh?
Yeah, my Sunday Masters’ viewing began like so many others, on the living room sofa, leisurely finishing my Sunday Detroit Free Press reading, checking email, and futzing around the house.
It transitioned to streaming the CBS feed through my Ford Edge’s speakers on the way to meet a friend in order to carpool to the Jack White concert together. Once at the rendezvous location (his dad’s house) I was able to catch a few shots while we engaged in small talk.
Then it was me watching the stream on my phone as we headed into Detroit to meet other friends at the Motor City Brewing Works.
Imagine my surprise when I saw but one small television in this joint. A single TV, I must say, that was nowhere near the table the other two had secured between the restrooms and the brewing tanks.
Ugh!
I turned to the Masters app and followed the live scoring (because there was no public WiFi nor a strong enough cell signal to stream) and then, when I saw “17” turn to “F” next to Rory McIlroy‘s score of 11-under, I announced to the table that he and Justin Rose were headed to a playoff. One of the other fellas, who clearly had a better signal, began streaming and offered occasional play-by-play for the table.
Only after McIlroy had begun the walk to Butler Cabin did another tablemate hold the phone at arm’s lenght for the rest of us to see the emotional greeting with his wife, daughter, and best mate, Shane Lowry.
It was quite a way to experience the aptly dubbed “Rory Coaster” as Sunday afternoon turned into evening and the Irishman became the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam.
Shortly after seeing him take the walk up the hill to the Butler Cabin I texted my wife, Carol, whom I’d consider – generally – a non-golf fan, but there’s a soft spot in both of our hearts for McIlroy after she and I spent the better part of five hours enduring the wind, rain, and chilly temperatures in the grandstand at the 14th green at Royal Troon Golf Club during the first round of the 2024 Open Championship (Event No. 2) to see McIlroy’s group arrive.
There was a woman seated behind us who had this infectious way of yelling “ROAR-eee” as he made his way to the green that we continue to talk about to this day. While certainly a gallery favorite here in the United States, he’s held in much higher regard across the Atlantic and that was evidenced by the near empty grandstand at the 14th green after his group putted out.
You can, faintly, hear the woman behind us welcoming Rory McIlroy to the 14th green. Tyrrel Hatton and Max Homa are his playing partners.
Any Indy 500 Fans? I’ve Got a Pair of Tickets
Perhaps my eyes were bigger than my stomach some six months ago when it was time to purchase tickets to the 2025 Indy 500. When the dropdown asked how many I’d like I either …
A. Panicked
B. Over-estimated the number of friends I had
C. Was overly optimistic about my network’s interest in auto racing
D. All of the above
… and bought four tickets.
Well, two are accounted for and the other two need a good home. The seats are located in the Tower Terrace (see video clip below for an approximate view) and are $115 apiece. I’d love to have someone who’s acquainted with The Sports Fan Project and my Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project, and is interested in the spectacle that is the Indy 500 get these. If this is you or someone in your network, please reach out to me at hilldouglast@gmail.com.
The approximate view from the Tower Terrace seating along the main straightaway at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
How Greedy is the NCAA? Let Us Count the Dollars!
As someone who has some lofty sports travel aspirations, it should surprise no one that I’m on just about every communication list to receive information once tickets go on sale, ticket lottery entries begin, and/or ticket application windows open.
Naturally, since we’re now a week removed from the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game, I received an email earlier today inviting me to apply for 2026 NCAA Final Four tickets.
Great, I thought. I’ll get in the mix to secure tickets the old-fashioned way without having to rely on the secondary ticket market.
I clicked on the link and was redirected to Ticketmaster – odd, I thought – where I entered a queue – strange – to apply for tickets.
Once I’d worked my way from number 363 in line into the actual room I was shocked – SHOCKED (though I shouldn’t have been) – to read that, for the tidy sum of $360 per ticket requested, I could apply for 2026 Final Four tickets. Well, I’ll let the NCAA tell you the rest of the story
You are purchasing an application and will be charged in full. If you are not selected you will be refunded, minus the $25 application fee, following random selection. Notification timelines for selected applicants are still being determined. ... All selected applications will be seated in the upper level. Exact locations will be provided to those selected.
So if I understand this correctly, I’m going to lend the NCAA (an institution that had an estimated $1.4 billion in 2024 earnings) at least $720 of my money (because I know I’ll have at least one traveling partner) for an indeterminate amount time for a chance that I might get seated in the outer-reaches of Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium for next year’s Final Four with a guaranteed loss of $25 per ticket if I’m not one of the lucky 20,000 or so random selectees. You can find the application yourself at this link.
Oh … OK.
Yeah, thanks but no thanks. I think I’ll keep my money under my control and take my chances on the secondary market in another 10 months or so.
At 67-years-old, Langer’s not considered old by today’s standards, but in golf terms, to still be competing competitively in one of golf’s four majors, it likely is. As he often does, Langer gave himself a chance this week and narrowly missed the +2 cut line by a single stroke.
Ben Crenshaw slips The Masters’ Green Jacket on 1985 champion, Bernhard Langer. (Photo by John Iacono/Sports Illustrated)
The image for this week’s Fan Teaser was taken from his first Masters’ victory in 1985 when he came back from four strokes behind on the final nine to defeat third-round leader Raymond Floyd, 63-hole leader Curtis Strange, and Seve Ballesteros by two shots. As is tradition, the previous year’s champion, Ben Crenshaw in this case, is seen helping Langer slip on the champion’s green jacket.
A fun fact we learned earlier this week about Langer is that when he played his first major championship, the 1976 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, in the field that day was Gene Sarazen who was born in 1902. One of Langer’s playing partners this week was amateur and University of Florida player, Noah Kent, was born in 2004. Langer finished eight shots clear of Kent, by the way. (The youngest pro playing this week is Tom Kim, born in 2002!)
For Further Reading
This piece from Golf Magazine looks at the Langer-Kent pairing and how the youngster knew what was at stake.
This piecefrom the BBC previews how Langer was emotionally preparing for his farewell.
This piece from the New York Times last year focuses on the injury that kept him from finishing this Masters’ run a year ago.
For Your Viewing Pleasure
This is Langer’s video goodbye to playing competitively at Augusta National.
Just to review, The Fan Teaser was the creation of former Ann Arbor News Sports Editor Geoff Larcom. Longtime friend and fellow Ann Arbor News alum, Pat Schutte, took it to heights previously unknown. We aim to keep it alive here at The Sports Fan Project. The cropped photo and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.
Oh, what a feeling! What’s the rest of the story behind this flying sand wedge?
Never before – and never again – had an Augusta, GA, native won The Masters until April 12, 1987, when Larry Mize improbably chipped in for a birdie 3 on the 11th hole using the sand wedge seen flying above. It was the second playoff hole and from about 100 feet, Mize’s shot bounced a few times and then snaked its way into the cup. He famously hoisted the wedge and jumped for joy. Of course, he still needed to withstand his gobsmacked opponent, Greg Norman‘s, 50-foot birdie effort.
Larry Mize celebrates his chip in on the second playoff hole at the 1987 Masters in Augusta, GA. (Associated Press Photo)
Norman 2-putted and Mize claimed his fourth and final PGA Tour victory. Check out this Golf Digest story about Mize’s victory commemorating the 30th anniversary of the win.
Mize discusses his win in this CNN interview from 2017.
Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.
(About the Series: Based upon my Conversation with guest Derek Meinecke, I’m going back in time to be in the stands at 10 sporting events. This week, it’s #5. You’re able to find links to the previous installments below.)
Jack Nicklaus follows his birdie putt into the hole on Augusta National’s 17th hole. (Photo by Getty Images)
I “retired” from playing golf over a decade ago. I never exhibited the patience or time needed to move to become as proficient as I’d like. It was, as the old expression notes, “a good walk spoiled” for me.
Watching golf’s Majors, however, has always been enjoyable.
I’m fairly certain I was interested in The Masters April 10-13, 1986. My neighbor during freshman year at Eastern Michigan University’s Phelps Hall was a big golf fan and I have ever reason to believe that Joe Grezlik had the tournament on as we all were prepping for that month’s final exams (yeah, right;-).
That said, I cannot say with any degree of certainty if I was paying close attention to what occurred during the back nine on Sunday’s final.
It was, of course, the last great competitive charge on the PGA Tour by the man known as the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus. A World Golf Hall of Fame inductee in 1974, Nicklaus was six years removed from his most-recent Major championships (the 1980 U.S. Open and PGA Championship) and, at the age of 46, was considered by some of his contemporaries to be semi-retired. His previous Masters’ win was 11 years earlier for heaven’s sake.
And when he arrived at the ninth hole that Sunday afternoon, he was even par for the day and had seven players between him and the lead.
Then, there was a little magic in that old straw hat (sorry, the Frosty the Snowman song is currently earworming me), er, putter in his bag.
He birdied No. 9, then No. 10, and No. 11. A bogey at No. 12 threatened to derail him, but he rallied to birdie the Par 5 13th, parred No. 14, and then eagled No. 15 to move to 7-under par. He went on to birdie No. 16 and No. 17 before parring No. 18 and finished 9-under and then waited it out in the clubhouse where he witnessed Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman both coming undone down the stretch.
Bernhard Langer puts the green jacket on 1986 Masters’ champion Jack Nicklaus. (Photo/August National Golf Club)
As long as Nicklaus is doing the playing, I won’t worry about this walk being spoiled. The only thing that would make it better would be to have the occasional iconic TV call by Ben Wright and Verne Lundquist piping into my head while enjoying this lovely Sunday afternoon.
“Maybe … Yes sir!”
Verne Lundquist on the 17th hole at Augusta National, 1986
Enjoy the video highlights from the 1986 Masters and the memorable calls from Ben Wright, Verne Lundquist, and Ken Venturi.
