| Top of the Mountain: The Masters, Augusta, GA | | | | and do it in four and it's just amazing." |
| If you're a stockbroker, the center of the world is New | | | | Masters week is divided into two parts. The first three |
| York. If you are a commodities trader, it's Chicago. | | | | days are the practice rounds. This just gives the |
| But if you're a golfer, the center of the world is...a little | | | | golfers a chance to relax, get their swings loose after |
| further south. | | | | a plane trip and plan a strategy for the course. |
| "You actually feel it when you step onto the course" | | | | Said one recent attendee "I love the practice |
| says Brian Montgomery, who has been to every | | | | rounds-The players are out there and they're just |
| Masters for the last decade. "It's like being in an art | | | | more relaxed-they are joking with the crowd, I've even |
| museum or a history museum-and if you really live for | | | | seen people get pictures with players." |
| golf, this isn't just church, it's St. Peters Cathedral on | | | | But after the practice rounds end, the atmosphere |
| Christmas Eve." | | | | changes. "On the first day, it's just VERY serious. For |
| For as those who have walked the course will tell you, | | | | most players this is the biggest event there ever was |
| there is no place like Augusta. | | | | or will be, so every shot is a serious shot." |
| "It's pristine, not like other tournaments, no paper, no | | | | "I live for this," says Montgomery "I saw Crenshaw win |
| advertising, just green everywhere and So perfect. I | | | | the week after Harvey (Penick, his mentor) died, I saw |
| mean, you see it on TV, and you think, I could do that, | | | | Tiger Get his first, and it's not just that history gets |
| then you see the course and you think: "Par Four?!? | | | | made here some years, it gets made here every year. |
| FOUR?!? That's like a...NINE. And these guys come out | | | | |