How a father-daughter Masters trip revealed golf’s true magic

AUGUSTA, Ga. — “I can’t imagine he’s actual,” my sister, Ellen, stated as Tiger Woods handed us on his stroll down the primary fairway at Augusta National.

Tiger is a reasonably placing determine at any time, however to see him right here, on Saturday on the Masters? And to see him now, only a few seconds into the day we’ve all been wanting ahead to for months?

Ellen grew up because the golf-bored center baby in a golf-crazed household. However now she’s right here in Augusta, recent off a flight from Phoenix, to spend the day with my dad and me on the Masters. And she or he’s realizing, for the primary time, that Tiger Woods actually is bigger than life.

And that makes me glad.

Each Tuesday in the summertime from 2002 to 2008, I made my dad late for work.

I used to be seven years outdated when my mother and father signed me up from the Tuesday morning junior golf program at Wannamoisett — a par-69 course in our hometown of Rumford, R.I. — however I used to be a little bit older earlier than I fell for golf.

In these days, golf was a chore. I’d refuse to get away from bed till the final minute, complain to anybody who’d pay attention, and attempt to sucker my mother and father into letting me off on good conduct. My perspective grew so unhealthy that my older brother started using his bike to the golf course so I wouldn’t make him late. However my dad wasn’t so fortunate. He couldn’t begin his work day till he bought me to the course — and I used to be comparatively decided to not let him convey me. Often there have been tears concerned.

By eighth grade, my relationship with golf started to alter. Out of the blue Tuesday mornings have been a social outing. There have been 15 or so children in my age group, and lots of of them are nonetheless my finest buddies. Golf actually helped my confidence in these days, largely as a result of I discovered a neighborhood within the sport. I might be a part of my buddies and match their 73s with 98s. Quickly I noticed that I appreciated golf. I appreciated it a lot that I ended up making an attempt out for my (no-cut) highschool golf workforce.

It may be arduous for a lot of fathers to attach with their teenage daughters, however I freely admit that I used to be a very tough adolescent. My mother and father cut up throughout my freshman 12 months of highschool, and out of the blue I used to be working by my teenage years whereas dwelling beneath a distinct roof than my dad. I used to be younger and harm, and the ache made me offended. He was on the receiving finish of an excessive amount of of it.

Happily, Dad was (and is) relentless, and golf slowly turned our strategy to join. After robust faculty days, we’d seize dinner on the golf course and chat in regards to the day from the green. Over afternoon nine-holers and night putts, our conversations graduated from golf speak to life. On the weekends, we started watching golf collectively. Quickly we not often went a day with out hanging out.

As I’ve grown into my golf media profession, my dad has develop into my greatest fan. He listened intently once I known as him final 12 months to inform him that I met Rory McIlroy, and was my first name once I lastly gathered up the braveness to ask Tiger a query in a press convention. He listens patiently to the frustrations that include working in golf (or any job). He pays a lot consideration partly as a result of he loves golf, however largely as a result of he loves me.

Golf was so typically a ache level at first of our relationship, however I understand now that it was on the golf course that my dad turned rather more than my dad — he turned my finest pal.

To know me is to know my sister.

We have been born 5 years aside however have been hooked up on the hip for years. I convey her as much as anybody who will pay attention. When she met Bones Mackay on the WM Phoenix Open in February, all he might say was, “It’s so good to lastly meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.” After we have been in grade faculty, we made our mother and father buy bunk beds so the 2 of us might sleep in the identical room. (What number of siblings ask to share a bed room?) I by no means slept in my very own room once more.

I joke that Ellen is the “bored with golf” member of our golf-loving household, however that’s not completely true. She might not prefer to play a lot, however I’ve come to appreciate that we share some widespread actual property within the sport. Over time, golf was her means of rising shut with Dad, too.

When she comes again to Rhode Island, she will get up early to stroll throughout the road with my dad and eat breakfast at our residence membership. She might not know tools or be notably taken with Strokes Gained, however she loves being round any setting that features the game. So after we all met as much as stroll round Augusta National immediately, it felt like a full-circle second.

Yearly, the Masters brings about no less than one “father and son” story, however this 12 months, our dad couldn’t decide only one daughter to convey to the Masters with him.

So he introduced two.

My dad and Ellen drove in from Columbia, S.C. this morning.

They picked me up from GOLF’s rental residence so I might journey in with them. For me, immediately felt like Christmas Day. Watching Ellen expertise the magic of Augusta Nationwide for the primary time was actually an honor. She was freaking out over the little issues that I’ve gotten used to experiencing over time — gamers strolling by, a putt that lips out or an individual donning an unconventional outfit. Seeing her love for the sport jogged my memory why I fell in love with the sport within the first place. The golf magic continues to be very a lot new for her.

We might not have spent the day speaking about stats or shot shapes, however strolling with the 2 of them allowed me to view the sport by the lens of my former self, which was about 30 occasions extra enjoyable. Ellen liked Vijay Singh’s HOKAS. Her eyes sparkled on the gorgeous vista of inexperienced chairs lined up completely across the inexperienced, and her checking account wept within the overwhelming goodness that’s the merchandise retailer. We discovered that some golf experiences are common … like style debates. When Jason Day got here up 18 in a cool Malbon match, Ellen stated that she liked his confidence — whereas Dad whispered that his outfit appeared unhealthy. She introduced up random details about golfers she’d discovered from watching Full Swing. And when Tiger made his means down the primary fairway, she was awed by the gravity of his presence.

Earlier than lengthy our day was coming to an in depth, and we idled collectively for just a few lengthy beats. It was arduous for any of us to place to phrases precisely what our Masters reminiscence meant, however we didn’t must. All of us knew. The mere reality we have been there collectively was proof sufficient.

So dads, right here’s an concept for you: Carry your daughter to the Masters. Carry your daughter to any golf event. Enroll them in a Tuesday morning golf league and take them each week. Allow them to like golf and allow them to hate golf and allow them to study to love golf, regardless of which kind that takes. Be the Dad who breaks the norm, and don’t worry it.

And dads, do all these issues as a result of your daughters will discover. They’ll discover your effort, your care and your love. And although it might not come simply or rapidly, they’ll discover the golf, too.

Perhaps you’ll get up one morning and end up on the Masters.

Or, even higher, perhaps you’ll get up one morning and discover you’ve made a pal.

Editor’s be aware: Ellen has stored a log of notes whereas watching episodes of “Full Swing” on Netflix, so I inspired her to jot down some bullet factors about her expertise on the Masters as soon as she left the course immediately. Under is what she needed to say.

Ellen’s Masters Saturday

• Awakened in Columbia and bought prepared in my new outfit
• Sat in half-hour of visitors leaving due to a half marathon that was occurring as we have been leaving the lodge
• Went to Dunkin & it was SO good (medium caramel iced espresso with almond milk, please!)
• Had my VERY FIRST Krispy Kreme (first and second if we’re being trustworthy right here). It was heat and glazed and so scrumptious
• Subsequent up: a one-hour drive to gossip with dad
• Strolling into Augusta was simply so loopy I didn’t know the place to look! Placing white buildings are so stunning I couldn’t recover from it
• Noticed a lady instantly upon coming into carrying a “golf widow” hat and knew I used to be about to like this
• Pit cease on the lavatory earlier than assembly sissy and there was ZERO line for girls and a LONG line for males! Barbie dream home? Even had attendants serving to direct the (minimal) visitors into stalls
• The scoreboard was so surreal I felt overwhelmed by how historic and well-known this place is
• The grass was so inexperienced and air so crisp I want u might bottle it up or make it right into a candle scent
• Lunch expertise was wild. Most inexpensive concessions I’ve ever seen. Saved all my cups to convey residence.
• BBQ Sammy completely slapped & peach ice cream Sammy was very very yummy
• I received’t lie. I couldn’t convey myself to take a chew of the pimento cheese sandwich
• Noticed Tiger placing on the apply inexperienced & I’m in awe that he’s actual I really feel as if we neglect he’s an precise individual
• Scottie’s dad was insanely variety and personable
• Noticed Max Homa and bought so excited! He appears superior
• Amen Nook was the right spot to observe (minus the solar beating down on us) however my good new Masters straw hat was a life saver
• This complete day was a style present and I might have folks watched all day with out ever noticing the golf occurring
• Everyone seems to be so variety and respectful there it felt utopian
• Sat on 18 watching Jason Day & Sahith who I’m OBSESSED with from “Full Swing” (unhappy I didn’t meet his dad)
• Merchandise retailer can solely be described as past your wildest goals, think about Disney for golf lovers
• Claire introduced us azaleas, a vodka/lemonade/grenadine concoction, and it was very refreshing, enjoyable to drink AND got here with a putter formed stirrer!
• Dad and I went again to the merchandise constructing and needed to get a number of extra t-shirts as a result of… when in Rome!
• General, I couldn’t have considered a extra excellent day to gossip and watch golf with two of my most favourite folks!

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Claire Rogers

Golf.com Editor