Great post, man and I love your passion for this week since I am of the same ilk. As I mentioned in the last comment on one of your posts I take this entire week off each year so I can enjoy the #1 Major of the year. I will be rooting for Tiger to play, though I doubt he can make it to the weekend, only because of his long layoff, his age, and the fact he is still recovering from the accident last year. Augusta National has several elevation changes and that does not bode well for someone who had multiple open fractures on his right leg just 14 months ago. There were multiple images of him playing his practice round today and the crowd size rivals that of a Masters Sunday crowd. The excitement is real, but I am not sure of his chances.

A couple of notes, the Par-3 contest began in 1960 and you are correct in that no winner of the Par-3 has ever won the tournament the same week.

Not sure if this was a typo or an oversight, but you mentioned Augusta National was in Atlanta, GA. In fact, no, it is actually in Augusta GA, which is a city on the border of GA and South Carolina.

Enjoy the week, and I look forward to your comments once the Green Jacket has been awarded!!