A wonderful weekend began Saturday with arriving in Augusta, GA…
and getting registered.
Sunday morning she is ready to go!! (photo cred to Mack from his phone)
No phones, tablets or any electronic devices are allowed on the ground of Augusta National so we were lucky to meet up with Karen and Tripp not long after they arrived. We had already been there 1 1/2 hours before they were allowed to come from the hotel via vans. The competitors only had an hour to warm up on the driving range, chipping green (where no patrons were allowed) and the practice green. While Rheagan was practicing her drives, she was on the members range, there were several members who were also warming up…Arnold Palmer, Fuzzy Zeller, Freddy Couples, and Vijay Singh.
We finally got to see her when she was on the practice putting green.
They marched from event to event in the order that they were competing…Rheagan was #9.
Going to the Drive competition…
Bubba Watson came to watch them and after the interview, he shook hands with each of them! More butterflies and adrenalin!
As they were being introduced, the big screen showed this…
Deep breath…it’s finally here!
Family viewing area…
Waiting for others to finish.
Time for Chipping…
2nd chip…
From here they were carted to the practice green.
Again, no warm up, just wait your turn and putt your 2 balls…one from 5 feet, which she sunk, and the other from 30 feet, which she just barely missed.
The they “marched” over to the 18th green of the Masters!! Here they are put in reverse order of their ranking (lowest points to highest) and wait for their turn.
They are announced by Condoleezza Rice!! She is one of 2 females who are members of Augusta National Golf Club.
Once again, name on a big screen…
and it’s time to putt on the 18th green of the Masters! Just one putt… the same putt that Adam Scott had last year at the Masters to win.
She went passed the hole.
She came in 6th place just 1 point our of 3rd (3 girls were tied for 3rd).
After the awards were handed out…
she fell into Big Mike’s arms. She had such high expectations for herself. We said she was a winner just by being there.
Even though the competition was over, we were allowed to be on part of the grounds for another hour or so. During this time we saw several professional golfers…
Nick Faldo
Ben Crenshaw
Brandt Snedeker
Sendeker and Harris English
Bubba Watson
a unknown golfer
Rheagan had family and friends who were there to watch her compete.
Snapshots from the day…
It was such a memorable day for everyone but especially Rheagan!!
At dinner, she had her first request for an autograph!!
Thank you for hanging in there and reading all of this and looking at some of the pictures from that special day. I could have put on many more…and these were just mine…just think how many more Karen has!!
8 comments:
Mary Helen, thank you for the first hand account. I have really enjoyed following Rheagan's big adventure and seeing the community rally around her. I have never been a golf fan, but I am a Rheagan fan. So, consider me among the converted.
Sara, so glad you were able to come along via the blog. We'll let you join the fans!
Sara, so glad you were able to come along via the blog. We'll let you join the fans!
This is precious account of your family's day. Rheagan looks like a winner all the way. I hope I have the opportunity to follow her in high school, through college, and as a pro. Thank you for sharing the pictures and description. I loved it.
Lynda, she is certainly a winner in our book! So glad you enjoyed the blog.
I am in awe of Rheagan! A remarkable young lady with many more golfing accolades to come her way! Just to set foot on the Master's course would be an honor! Love these photos of all of you! Sharon
I am in awe of Rheagan! A remarkable young lady with many more golfing accolades to come her way! Just to set foot on the Master's course would be an honor! Love these photos of all of you! Sharon
Sharon, glad you enjoyed seeing the blog. She certainly enjoys playing!
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