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Finally, a Masters lottery win; Hanna, Bottomfeeders

Golf notes

I won the lottery. No, I didn’t have that magical orange mega-millions ticket that would pay me out enough money to never work again, but it was almost as exciting. 

I won “The Masters” lottery. 

Each year, after the Masters finishes, they open their ticketing system up to anyone who would like the opportunity to try and get tickets for the next year’s tournament. 

I had done it in 2011, but I got the very polite email letting me know that I had not been lucky enough to receive tickets for 2012. I did however, know several people who were lucky enough to get tickets and attended the practice days and said it was amazing. 

So, after Bubba Watson was done slashing snap hooks from the trees this year, I went on again and signed up. They give you plenty of options; tournament rounds and then each practice day. I signed up for everything. 

Then, in early August, I got that polite email again, letting me know that I had not received tickets for 2013.

However, I had neglected to read it correctly as it stated that I had not received tickets for the actual tournament rounds, since, a few weeks later I get another email letting me know that I had, in fact, won tickets for the Wednesday practice day for the 2013 Masters.  I am counting myself lucky, since of all the practice round days to get tickets to, Wednesday has to be the best due to the fact that the par-3 tournament takes place on that particular day. 

It’s been a while since I’ve been so excited to go to a tournament without a press pass. I have to admit, once you get used to being able to pretty much go wherever you want, park close to the event and have free lunch every day, it’s difficult to go to an event with a standard ticket, but this will be different. 

At a face value of $50, it’s the best value in sports, although, I am sure during tournament weeks there are none of these tickets going for $50. In fact a quick online search had me finding at least one person already advertising a ticket for that day for $850, not a bad return on investment. 

What I am excited about is the opportunity to wander outside the ropes, seeing the white-wood-framed clubhouse, tasting the famous pimento-cheese sandwiches, and checking out the ridiculously low prices. It’s as if time has stopped at the Masters – try getting a sandwich or beer for $3 at any other major sporting event.

I know I’ll be back home in time to see the remainder of the tournament on TV, which is probably the best way to see everything, but at least, now, I’ll be able to have a real feel for the course and understand what it’s like to have been on the grounds of the Augusta National Golf Club. Is it April yet?

 

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Hanna Boys Center, celebrating its 20th annual Golf and Tennis Classic, recently its tennis tournament at the Silverado Country Club in Napa, with the popular golf tourney being held this Monday, Sept. 24, at the Sonoma Golf Club.

The golf tourney entry fee is $275 a player and includes green fees, cart, privileges on the driving range, refreshments on the golf course, tee-prizes and the awards ceremony.

Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m. and includes a brunch at the Hanna campus, with a shuttle provided to and from the golf course, and the tourney gets underway with an 11:30 a.m. shotgun start. The festivities afterward begin with a hosted cocktail hour at 5 p.m.

For late registration or for more information visit the Hanna Boys Center site at hannacenter.org or by contacting Tamara Stanley at 933-2504.

        

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Murphy’s Irish Pub’s 16th annual Bottomfeeders Open will take place Friday, Oct. 12, at Oakmont Golf Club’s West Course. For more information, stop by the pub or go to www.vintagehouse.org.