Grammy's tradition, a kept divot, a dream day: Masters Memories

Cody Johnson and his dad at Augusta National.Cody Johnson

Two years ago, I wrote about the day I spent with my dad and my sister at the Masters. I received an outpouring of personal stories in my inbox in the following days, and I wanted to help share other Masters memories this year.

I’ve received almost a hundred stories over the last few weeks, and we’ve been publishing them here on Golf.com throughout Masters week. Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in. There is nothing like the Masters!

Grammy would have loved to be here

My Grandma (Grammy) loved the Masters (and Freddie Couples). She and my grandpa taught me how to play golf. Pa is still with us, but Grammy passed away in the fall of 2021. Her first time at the Masters was in 2010. She swore the reason she finally got selected in the ticket lottery, which at the time was by mail, was because she sent a handwritten letter that let the Green Jackets know it was her and Pa’s 50th wedding anniversary. In 2016, I got to go to watch the Par 3 Contest with her. There were nine aces that day, but my favorite part was walking the whole course in the quiet of the morning with her and Pa. Though both were north of 75, they matched me stride for stride.

Grammy at the Masters in 2010. Kevin Gottlieb

When we were kids, Grammy would have the whole family over for Masters Sunday. She’d assign each of the grandkids a few of the contenders by clipping their photos out of the newspaper (or printing off her AOL account) so we’d know what our guys looked like. Whoever had the winning golfer got a small prize (usually five dollars). It did a great job of keeping us kids interested in the tournament. Ever since Grammy passed, I’ve hosted a Masters Sunday party, serving pimento cheese sandwiches and other traditional Augusta National fare (at first I made everything myself, but now I use the Taste of the Masters boxes). We set up the putting mat so folks can give it a try, but most importantly, I divide up the whole field and send it to those coming to the party, and whoever has the winning golfer gets a prize. This year, it’s a teddy bear from Augusta. The first year we set everything up, my wife Erin said to me right before anybody arrived that ‘Grammy would have loved to be here.’ – Kevin Gottlieb, Chicago, Illinois

Kevin Gottlieb with his grandparents and his friend Jason in 2016. Kevin Gottlieb

One week and a lifetime of memories

In 2024, my friend Chantal hosted my bachelorette party at her cottage. Twelve of us all played golf and had the best weekend. She made it look effortless, but I know she put in a ton of work behind the scenes.

A few days later, Chantal sent an emergency text: she won the lottery for Wednesday at the Masters and I’m her first pick. Hosting my bachelorette and inviting me to Augusta National in the same week? That’s top-tier friend status. She even brought my husband and my mom, too. We had the most incredible day on the course. The Par 3 Contest was adorable. I consumed six pimento cheese sandwiches without regret, and just soaked it all in. Augusta lives up to the hype.

What I remember most is how genuinely happy everyone is to be there. So many first-timers, and even if it’s not your first, it doesn’t matter. It still feels special. It’s one of those experiences that just never gets old. Even the players are loose on Wednesday, smiling, chatting, soaking it in. There’s this lightness in the air.

And somehow the day goes by in an instant. Every time you glance at your watch, another 45 minutes or an hour has evaporated. Your time at Augusta just quietly ticking away. You want to slow it down, but you can’t.

She also got fully wrapped up in the gnome craze (not my thing, I prefer the actual golf, but I respect the commitment), but we struck out trying to get one.

Nadine Burgess and her friend Chantal at the Masters. Nadine Burgess

Fast forward, I was lucky enough to win the lottery for 2026! Of course, Chantal was my first pick, but she couldn’t swing it again so soon. I did my absolute best to get her a gnome this year … but it’s wild out there. I managed to snag one of the mini ones, and I’m shipping it to her as a surprise.

This year, I was able to take both my parents, who spent 30 years as a Club Car dealer in Canada. Full circle moment. We had such a great time again, walked the entire course, saw every hole, followed Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth for ages. My mom loves Jordan. Truly one of those traditions that just keeps getting better. Hope our lucky streak continues!

I insisted that we set up on the ninth hole at the Par 3 Contest to watch Frankie Fleetwood try his hardest to cover the water. He came SO close. It was so cute seeing Shane Lowry’s daughter comfort him after his ball landed in the water. To see Rory, Shane, Tommy, Corey Conners, Nick Taylor and all of them tucked in to that tiny tee box deck with their families was just a really special moment! – Nadine Burgess, Vancouver

A dream day with dad

For as long as I can remember, we’ve spent every Masters Sunday sitting by my family’s television with my Dad. An entire day dedicated, almost like a holiday, to watching the greatest day in golf: the final round of the Masters. We’d watch our golf heroes tee it up on the most beautiful golf course in the world, playing the game we both loved and that he taught me.

Sure, for someone living in Ohio, the Masters symbolizes the return of spring. But for my Dad and me, it symbolizes something else: the tradition of sharing our passion and bond for the game together. We’d admire this almost fairytale-like place that we dreamed of going to one day. That dream is symbolized by things like us both having the Masters theme song as our ringtones, a cut out golf green in our backyard with a Masters flag and a stone in the yard that says ‘Streetsboro National’ (our home town), going out of our way on vacations just to drive by Magnolia Lane and even Iistening to the Masters highlights song about once a day. Without ever having stepped foot on the property, the Masters was a major staple of our lives, just like the game of golf was.

After 20-plus years of failing to win the ticket lottery, time was passing by. We wondered if we’d ever make it to Augusta.

In 2022, my Dad suffered a heart attack and had to have emergency bypass surgery. Lucky, he made it out of it okay, and to this day, we continue to golf together. But it brought on a new fear: what if I got to go to Augusta National one day without him being there with me? Just the thought brought me to tears.

This year, our prayers were finally answered at Amen Corner. We finally won the ticket lottery for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur on the Saturday before the tournament. For days leading up to the special day, I cried in private moments over how lucky I felt.

Just a few days before we made the drive from Ohio to Augusta, my Dad had an emergency surgery for skin cancer on his leg. He could hardly walk, and we were just a few days out from walking one of the hilliest courses in the world. It was heartbreaking to see his uncertainty and concern over whether he’d be able to enjoy the day he’d been dreaming of since he was a young boy. But this day, this moment, meant too much to him to let anything get in the way of it, even if he had to will himself around Augusta National. He pushed himself the last two days before we left, regaining strength and walking every day until he felt confident he could do it.

We pulled into the Augusta National parking lot at 6 a.m. while listening to the Masters theme song. I couldn’t sleep the night before. It was one of the few times in your life that no dream could be better than what was coming the next day.

We entered through the South Gate of Augusta National, and the first thing we saw was the 13th green. We both stared in the most beautiful silence. In pure awe of the beautiful landscape, the Azaleas blooming, the fairways being so pristine. There wouldn’t be a golf shot struck there for hours, but we just stood there and admired this place where some of the most iconic shots have taken place and where so many legends have walked. I felt like my emotions were about to burst out of my chest. The magic of the Masters and the feeling of living out your dream with your dad.

My dad hobbled and willed himself to see every single hole at Augusta National that day. We visited every place we could think of where iconic moments and shots happened. I found myself pinching myself and tearing up as the day went on. I am pretty sure we were the last patrons to leave the course that day. We even fibbed to security that we were waiting for someone just to stay a little longer. We cherished every single second.

They say to win the Masters, you have to overcome tough breaks and need a little bit of luck. In our case, we needed all that just to get to Augusta National one day. I love you dad. –Cody Johnson, Streetsboro, Ohio

Cody Johnson and his dad at Augusta National. Cody Johnson

Augusta’s gift to my mom: the best day ever

My beautiful mom, Sherri DeWitt Polatty and I won tickets in the lottery to the very first Augusta National Women’s Amateur. We didn’t know anything about golf, but we went to be a part of history and to see the beautiful plants. When we were leaving the tournament that day, she said it was the best day of her life. Tears fall as I think of her saying that. Augusta National made her feel special and beautiful. Weeks later, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I’m so grateful to the Masters tournament for giving my beautiful mom the best day of her life, a memory I will carry with me forever. I wish we could attend one more tournament together. I’ll always wish for one more day. – April Polatty McDaniel

April Polatty McDaniel and Sherri DeWitt Polatty at Augusta National. April Polatty McDaniel

A gnome, a meal and the best day ever

I attended the 2024 Masters with my boyfriend, Danny, who is the play-by-play voice of the Georgia Southern Eagles. It was a blessing, especially since it was my first time ever entering the lottery!  My boyfriend thought I was pranking him at first when I showed him the announcement that we’d won. I’m so incredibly thankful that we were blessed to go on a practice day when cameras are allowed.

Social media, especially the Facebook fan groups, were incredibly helpful in the planning process. I would not have guessed the course was as hilly as it was, so I appreciated the warnings, especially since I was still recovering from a broken leg. We arrived early and were some of the first to enter the gates, and had smooth sailing right into the merchandise store. I’ve never been black Friday shopping, but I have to imagine it’s something like that. Our goal was to acquire a gnome, and we were fortunate enough to do so. Everything else was a bonus. From there, we went to get our photo at Founder’s Circle. Then we went to get breakfast, and even though I knew how affordable everything would be, I still cackled when the cashier gave us the price. We walked the course and then met up with a Savannah news station for a quick interview before grabbing another bite to eat and heading back out.

Daryle-Lynn Roberts and Danny Reed at Augusta National. Daryle-Lynn Roberts

My leg was pretty tired by mid-afternoon, so we decided to call it a day, especially since dark clouds were moving in. We loved being able to check our purchases so we didn’t have to go all the way back to the car until it was time to leave.

I am not a huge golf fan, but I adore the coach at Georgia Southern and his passion for the sport. I always enjoy listening to his interviews and podcast appearances, and joked that if my boyfriend had a conflict that day, which he almost did, that I would take him with me instead. But even as much as my boyfriend loves his job, he wasn’t foolish enough to pass up that opportunity. As luck would have it, the game that day got rained out, so he was able to call it the next day anyway. Now I can’t wait to hopefully get back someday! – Daryle-Lynn Roberts, Statesboro, Georgia

A Masters divot, now planted in our backyard

I was 14 years old when Tiger won in ’97. I stood on No. 18 with my mom and can remember the moment like it was yesterday. Watching such a young man with great promise clinch the win was monumental. I trace my love for the game back to that moment.

As an Augusta native, I’ve been fortunate to attend the tournament many times. But each year stands out individually. Perhaps it’s because cameras aren’t allowed? Without distractions, my mind captures the memories like vivid images.

I still remember taking my children to their first tournament. They were seven and 10, running up the beautiful hills and eating peach ice cream sandwiches perched on mounds of pine straw.

Last year, Jordan Spieth took a major divot on No. 16. As he walked toward his ball, his caddie bent down and picked up the patch of hallowed ground and handed it to my son, Ford. We carried that little patch of grass around all day, brought it back home to St. Simons Island, and tended to it for months. Eventually, we planted it in our backyard as our little nod to both Augusta and the memory.

A divot from No. 16 at Augusta National. Lauren Hopkins

Ford was also incredibly fortunate to receive a brand new Titleist ball — straight from the sleeve – from Patton Kizzire on No. 7 last year. He is such a gentleman and was so kind.

We might not have photos, but we have Masters flags from each year we’ve taken our children. The wall of bright yellow nylon holds so many memories. Nothing can beat the magic of the Masters.- Lauren Hopkins, St. Simons Island, Georgia

The Masters with my best friend

I was lucky enough to fly down from New Jersey to attend the Tuesday practice round in 2018 with my best friend Xander, thanks to the ticket lottery. It was the only year I applied for two tickets instead of four, by the way. We got to see a very cool practice group of Tiger, Freddie, Thomas Pieters and a straight from the boardroom button-downed Phil Mickelson.

Seeing Amen Corner in person affected me in a way I didn’t expect. It was just a practice round in 2018. I was just excited to see the course. I knew the elevation changes; I expected the walk downhill. But getting to the furthest point a patron can walk and looking around showed me exactly why No 13 is such an incredible hole. I felt like I could hear Jim Nantz’s voice in my head. I teared up. I was there with my best friend. The lucky bastard had been there before. So I had to hide it. I’ll never forget that view. Looking left, looking right. And being surprised by the course I’d seen for decades. You think you know!

Relationships are a funny thing. In September of 1990, I sat down at a group of desks in my second-grade classroom next to this kid. And 20 minutes ago, I texted him, “Hey, Brendan Porath just tweeted photos of Tiger and Phil from the practice round we went to in 2018.” Not sure where the time went.

I like this idea of yours. Sitting around the bar, we all tell stories of the fun events we attended. I was there with so-and-so, we’ll say. But only that brief mention. I guess we take for granted how much the people you are with elevate the event. It’s like, the event itself is the entire iceberg, but at the bar, we only talk about the 10 percent you can see above the water. The people you’re with, with all the history you have that has built up over time, that’s the other 90 percent. – Kevin Doyle

Of all the golf memories my dad and I share, this one was the best

I went to the Masters with my dad, Greg, in 2016. Walking in and seeing the grounds for the first time was incredible, but I often think back to following Fred Couples for a few holes. We came across his group in Amen Corner and my dad mentioned how Couples had been one of his favorite golfers ‘back in the day.’ It was so fun to see my dad get excited to see one of his favorites play ‘in the flesh.’  We also spent an hour on hole 16 watching players skip balls across the pond, which was beyond entertaining. Being able to experience these traditions in person was incredible, and something we still talk about to this day.

Taylor Vaughn and her dad at the Masters. Taylor Vaughn

Being able to share this with my dad was the dream of a lifetime. I started playing golf at age four with my dad, my aunt and my uncle every Sunday. We kept this tradition up until I began playing college golf. Golf has always been a huge thing that bonds my dad and me. We’ve played Pebble Beach together, I’ve followed along as he’s played Cypress Point and he followed every one of my junior tournaments, high school tournaments and then college tournaments for 18 years. The ability to share the day with him at Augusta National and experience the Masters firsthand tops every golf memory he and I have ever made together. When I won the lottery, getting to tell my dad our dream of going to the Masters was coming true is a moment I’ll never forget. I know I’ll forever have the memories of living out an absolute dream with my father, and it’s a trip we both know will never be beat. This year, we plan on watching the tournament together and will probably annoy my mother with ‘fun facts’ about the course and each hole as we see things appear on TV. – Taylor Vaughn

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