Masters Week—Spring Ahead

Masters week is the unofficial first full week of spring.  The first official day of Spring occurs on March 20^th, but for those of us that live in the Northeast it still usually feels like winter.  Early morning temperatures can be below freezing, and there is always that slight chance one last snowstorm could come through.

Masters week usually occurs on the first full week of April.  The Masters is the most prestigious golf tournament in the world.  It is one of four major championships played each year for professional and amateur (you have to be pretty good) golfers.  What makes this tournament different than any of the other golf majors is that it is played at the same course year after year.  A Masters Champion last year, might not even make the cut to play the weekend the next year, because it is that challenging of a course and tournament! 

Speaking of playing at the same course, Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, there are some unique traditions and scenery to go along with it.  There is the famous “Green Jacket” given to each winner, and that winner the very next year must host a winner’s dinner for all past champions the Tuesday night before the tournament tees off.  The Wednesday before the tournament starts there is the legendary par 3 to kick things off, the Thursday morning honorary starters, “The Crows Nest” where amateurs stay, and the drive down Magnolia Lane—just to name a few unique things.  It is little corks like these that make “The Masters” such a prestigious place to play golf. 

Augusta National during Masters week is green.  TV towers are painted green, the soda cups are painted green, the cardboard for holding food is painted green.  When Spring comes, the world around us becomes green.  The grass goes from a brown winter weathered color to a lush green sea, and the trees go from sticks to green leaves casting long shadows as the sun sets in the evening.  What makes watching the Masters feel like Spring has begun is also seeing the coverage of the blooming Azaleas and Dogwoods.  Spring is in full bloom this time of year down in Augusta, Georgia, and it is the sign that warm weather is on the way for the rest of the country. 

The Masters each year brings a sense of rebirth and new beginnings.  When the calendar changes from December 31^st to January 1^st, we think new year and new start.  Well, that might be true for others, but it is the middle of winter for most of us!  It is cold outside, the sky is grey, and unless you have snow, there is not too much to get excited about.   Seeing the beauty of Augusta National for 5 days each year brings a certain excitement for freshness and reawakening, especially knowing the warm weather about to come and the bloom of vegetation that lies right around the corner (Amen Corner, I mean). 

The outlook this spring for the Mid-Atlantic region is a cooler but drier than normal April.  May could see the temperatures “jump” up as oppose to seeing a steady increase from day to day to week to week.  May could also see the usual “April Showers” occur then.  So, enjoy Masters Week the next few days, and enjoy the “Spring Ahead”.