The Masters Tournament is very special for the PGA Tour because it marks the beginning of the major championships. There are four majors in a year: The Masters, US Open, British Open, and the PGA Championship. The Masters is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club.
In 2006, my dad and I had the pleasure of going to Augusta for the week. It was an incredible experience. I was so thrilled to be a part of Masters history. When we arrived in Georgia, I was amazed by the number of private jets present. The next day, we headed to Augusta National, but first we had to go through strict security measures. Once we entered the premises, our first stop was the merchandise tent. I joked with my dad that money wasn’t an issue; this might be our only chance to visit again.
After purchasing everything I wanted, I decided to explore further. Upon approaching the first tee, I was astounded by its beauty. Seeing Augusta in person far exceeded what I had seen on TV. On the following day, we arrived early to secure a parking spot, knowing how important it is during the Masters.
When we set foot on Augusta National’s property, we immediately headed to the first tee. To my surprise, they had actually reserved the first tee for me, which made me incredibly grateful. Throughout the day, my dad and I remained at the first tee, having the most enjoyable time in a long while.
Since they knew about my mobility issues, they wanted me to have the opportunity to witness Tiger Woods approach the first tee. In 2015, we brought my mom along to Augusta, she had a blast. We spent our time on the first tee watching every golfer begin their round. The experience was even better with my mom by our side. It was an unforgettable experience, and I’m glad that she got to witness the breathtaking beauty of Augusta National. That year, Jordan Speith emerged as the champion.
One of the best things about Augusta was that they provided scooter rentals for those in need, and I believe it was a fleet of Pride Scooters, I own a Pride Mobility scooter and am quite familiar with the brand so this was comforting to see. I was thrilled to see such accommodations because Augusta can be quite challenging to navigate on foot. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of Pride Mobility since they do so much for people with disabilities.
Nowadays, every tournament has accessible areas where everyone can fully enjoy the event. Augusta National holds a special place in my heart not only because of its beauty but also because of the kind-hearted people. I highly recommend visiting Augusta someday to truly appreciate its magnificence. It’s remarkable that each hole is named after a flower, something not commonly seen at other tournaments.
Written by: MJ McColgan