There is one event that awakens us from the slumber of winter greater than any other. It's a tournament that consistently offers excitement, drama and beauty in equal fashion. We all know the history, the events that have helped shape a sport over 80 years. We've seen many of the iconic moments, lived through them, and know the setting like the back of our hands. Magnolia Lane, Amen Corner, Hogan's Bridge, Rae's Creek are terms that have become part of sporting legend. One week each year, our winter weary eyes gaze down upon Augusta, Georgia, for the most special of spring occasions. It's the Masters.
This week the invited field of 97 players will take that iconic drive down Magnolia Lane with a look of awe on their faces. Chills will be sent down their spine, goosebumps becoming visible on their skin. For 24 it will be their first trip, while for others it has become a regular visit. Either way, the wonder and sense of occasion never leaves them. That same emotion resides in us, the viewers, who have all grown up with our own library of Masters memories.
80 years ago, Bobby Jones had a vision. The game's greatest ever amateur had retired from the sport, and intended to create his dream golf course. Enlisting legendary architect Dr Alistair Mackenzie, they laid out a masterpiece. Soon after the course's opening, the Augusta National Invitation Tournament was established.
It would later become the Masters Tournament, and its stature grew with each year. Sarazen, Demaret, Nelson, Hogan, Snead were the first to cement their names in Masters lore, before the 'Big Three' of Palmer, Player and Nicklaus elevated this event to its present status as one of the defining sporting occasions of the calendar. Their time may have come and gone, but their presence still hangs over undulation and every blade of grass of this majestic layout.
The Masters Tournament has become an illustration of greatness. It is a chance for a player to etch his own name into the storied history of the game. And since 1949, the Green Jacket has become that symbolic emblem of excellence. History, drama, beauty encapsulate what is truly great about this game, and the Masters has progressively become the ultimate representation of those facets.
The historic moments that made these players into legends are forever ingrained in our minds. Some of us even witnessed them at the time, and recollect with significant fondness as each Masters Tournament approaches. Everyone, from every generation, has their favourite and individual memories, and that is testament to the tradition and personal connection that the Masters annually provides.
Going way back to the 1960s, and the incredible dominance of the "Big Three" that dramatically increased the popularity of golf, this event has consistently provided us with dramatic moments involving the greatest players of their own era. We can remember the rise of Europe in the 1980s and '90s, as Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam kept everyone in Britain and Europe burning the midnight oil on the edge of their seats. This year, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Faldo's first of three Masters victories, when he overcome a hapless Scott Hoch with a tremendous putt in the dusk of the 11th green.
Tiger Woods would then take the sporting world by storm in 1997 as his extraordinary 12 shot win changed the face of golf forever. In more recent years, we have continued to be served career defining moments. From the remarkable back nine in 2011 when nine different players at one point at least had a share of the lead, to Phil and Ernie's classic duel a decade ago. Last year, it was Adam Scott who vanquished a lifetime of despair for Australia after defeating Angel Cabrera in a playoff. His jubilant celebration was the representation of a player achieving his dream, and a nation's collective joy at finally exorcising past demons among the Georgia pines.
It was also an illustration of the elation and emotion that this course, and this tournament generates every year.
From Jack Nicklaus' incredible back nine charge 28 years ago to win his 6th Green Jacket at the age of 46, to Ben Crenshaw nine years later defying all definitions of logic by claiming his second Masters title at the age of 43, having buried his mentor Harvey Penick the day before the event began. Tears have been shed when soaking in what has played out in front of our eyes.
Such unpredictability, thrills and tension has also resulted in some of the more devastating moments in major championship golf. From Larry Mize chipping in to take away yet another major from Greg Norman in 1987, to Norman's own dramatic collapse to Faldo nine years later, to more recently Rory McIlroy's nightmarish but character defining experience around Amen Corner on the final day in 2011.
The list of moments to look back on are almost endless, but we are sure to be reminded of them throughout a week that is as much about the history as it is the present.
But, those moments are all in the past, and new Augusta moments will be forged in this, the 78th edition of the Masters Tournament. The traditions remain the same, but the characters change throughout each era.
Four-time winner Tiger Woods is absent for the first time in almost two decades, but there are many who shall be looking to prosper in his absence. His Nike stablemate Rory McIlroy is slowly finding his best form again, as he hopes to eradicate the memory of three years ago. Three-time champion Phil Mickelson remains a constant threat at the National, with his incredible win at Muirfield last summer illustrating that the 43-year-old is still a force to be reckoned with.
Adam Scott will be hopeful of becoming just the fourth player to successfully defend the Masters, while Europe's cast of 28 players look to end the continent's 15 year drought. There is also an impressive group of Masters rookies, headed by the likes of Jordan Spieth, Harris English and Patrick Reed look to become the first debut winner in 35 years. And what about the Stadlers. 1982 champion Craig will compete for the 38th and final time, as his son Kevin makes his first appearance at the season's opening major.
The stories are plentiful, as are the moments, memories, history, beauty, excitement and greatness and wonder of this special tournament. It’s more than just a major. It's the magic of the Masters.