Masters Diary: At first Masters, 'it's still just golf'
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Boo Weekley, 34, has become one of the PGA Tour's most popular and refreshing players with his simple country charm, style and philosophy that don't fit the stereotype of professional golfers. After winning the Verizon Heritage at Hilton Head Island, S.C., the week after the 2007 Masters, he was the first player to receive an automatic invitation to Augusta National under the reinstated qualification for tour winners. The native of Milton, Fla., will share his thoughts and experiences of his Masters debut with The Augusta Chronicle in a daily diary. This first installment was compiled from conversations and interviews with The Chronicle and recent news conferences:
My first trip going to Augusta. I didn't even know when it was. I was going to play all the way through to Houston and then take the week off. I didn't know after Houston was Augusta. I took two weeks off before to get ready. I reckon I'll just go home and do some turkey hunting -- that's how I prepare.
I'm looking forward to it, of course. I've heard so many things like, "Man, the place is unreal. I'd give my right arm to play it." Well, how you going to play it if you give your right arm?
I hear they've got a lot of rules, which I don't really like. I understand some of the people get wound a little tight. If you touch them wrong, they might blow up on you.
I know none of the history. I've watched Tiger Woods win. I saw it when he hit that flop shot and watched it roll into the hole on whatever hole it was.
I don't really watch it. It's not my forte.
I'm not a big golf watcher. I know I'm supposed to be representing the tour, but I'd much rather be watching NASCAR.
My parents have gone to see the Masters the past couple of years. No, I don't go. Too many people. I don't like crowds of people.
Why would you get nervous? We'll see. I ain't been there yet. We'll wait until I get there. Look me up and we'll see if I'm still the same person or if I'm changed.
I know it's a little different. It's just golf, man. It's just another golf course, you know. They are all the same to me. I probably shouldn't say it like that, but you can't be worried about where you play and who you're playing with. You just got to go play. That's what I got caught up in last year and in my rookie year in 2002, too.
Of course, it's an honor to be able to go play it and play the course. I mean, by all means, it's the elite of elite of golf courses and tournaments. It's a great place to go and say, I got to play in the Masters. But it's still just golf.
That's the only way for me that I can relate to anything. I guess it's like me going up there and shooting the biggest buck in the world. Now that's something I'd cut my right arm off for. Or catching the largest bass in the world. That's the only way I can relate it to me.
They've got a fishing pond on the Par-3 Course? I'm going to try that if they'll let me. It would be something if I could say I got to play the Masters and got to fish at Augusta.
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