Fuente: © Asian Tour
http://www.asiantour.com/

ASIAN TOUR: DIARY FROM THE MASTERS

/noticias.info/ I was very fortunate when I arrived in Atlanta as I had the pleasure to meet John Paramor of the European Tour and Stephen Cox from the British PGA, both of who are ‘Masters’ veterans, and as a rookie of the Augusta National Rules Committee, it was somewhat of a godsend.

After collecting a Pontiac SVG and having played at Eastlake GC, we drove for two hours down Interstate 20 to Augusta National to firstly pick up our credentials at Augusta and then check in at the Comfort Inn, our hotel for the week.

On Tuesday, we ventured as a group around Augusta National’s 18 holes, the venue for every Masters tournament, which unlike any other Major, is played at the same course every year.

Tuesday was a particularly beautiful sunny day and the course was indeed in picture perfect condition and everything I had always expected of it.

After collection of my log book which included copies of the local rules, Conditions of Competition, much advice and general information, it is imperative as a referee that I get the rules marking in preparation for the tournament and ahead and the initial walk around.

Walking up the first fairway in the esteemed company of Paramor, Tom Meeks, Mike Shea and Jose Carmarro, it was evident that the course was in great condition. As we walked, we discussed the possible rules incidents that might occur whilst examining how the course had been set up.

As per usual, the greens were very fast with surrounds cut at fairway height which in most instances takes the ball away from the green. I have always been told how much more undulating the course is in comparison to what is shown on television and how right they were. Slowly as I walked, I put together my jigsaw of pictures I’d produced in my mind over the last 30 years that I had watched the Masters.

All the possible rules incidents are outlined in a prepared format, for example position of obstructions such as sprinkler control units and T10’s such as grandstands and leaderboards.

Some of the holes have been lengthened including the 11th hole. The tee is further back and more pine trees on the right hand side. There are dropping zones for the water hazards on the 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th. The first tee has also moved backwards making the second shot even more challenging.

On Wednesday morning, all officials meet in the Magnolia Suite to go through the final preparation details for the tournament. This is followed by a quick photograph and further course inspection. I also received my hole allocations. I’ll be covering the third hole for day one and the 14th hole for day two. I’ll give you a further update at the eve of Day two.

Note: David Parkin is the Director of Tour Operations for the Asian Tour. notas_de_prensa_archivo