Heaven on Earth

Here it is. The pearly white gates of Heaven on Earth. A place that is so quite and serene you feel alone among the thousands that wonder these grounds. If you arrive early enough in the morning, you can catch the sun rise being slightly blocked out by the fog trapped between the pines and magnolias. Like the spirit of Bobby Jones is reminding the players that he is still watching.

From the first tee to the championship putt on 18, this course will challenge anyone who dares test it. From the holes that never seem to end, to the greens that are as treacherous as they are immaculate. This course will either make you immortal, or send you into the pits of defeat. Having experienced this tournament from many different angles, opening day, on a Saturday, and experiencing Tiger's putt on 18 to put a stamp on back to back green jackets in 2002, I can say that it is an experience that everyone should have. It is hard to explain to someone how a place can go from being able to hear the pines rustle in the wind, to being so loud it sounds as if you are in the Thunderdome when something like this happens....

And because of the layout of this course, when these roars happen. Everyone on the course knows it. It is a very intimidating thing to be on the 17th whole and hear a roar like that coming from behind you.

There are other great things that make this tournament as well. The prices for the concession there is amazing. I bought 2 sandwiches and 2 beers for $7... That is right, $7. I go to baseball games and pay that much for one beer. The hospitality of everyone. Me and the guy I was with in 2002 got to the course early and went and set our chairs down on the 18th green in a place that had a favorable view of green, went and walked around all day. When we came back, the chairs had not been bothered. Although they were engulfed by about 1000 more chairs. This left a great view to watch Mr. Woods repeat.

With Tiger coming off of his first win since the US Open, and no one else really playing out of their minds, this seems like Tiger's jacket to lose. But with the course awaiting everyone, it will make for good entertainment. For 4 days at least.