Why Everyone Loves The Masters (And You Should Too)
What to say, what not to do and why a green blazer is a coveted fashion statement.
The golf tournament so many are obsessed with is here. While golf seems so unapproachable with uptight rules and golf claps, the Masters has some fun quirks. Here’s what to say, what not to do and why a green blazer is a coveted fashion statement.
How ‘bout them azaleas?
The Last Night’s Game Team
Quick recap - If it seems like the Masters was just yesterday, you’d almost be correct. The famed tournament was delayed from its traditional spring 2020 date until the fall (November), with Dustin Johnson taking home the famed green jacket.
1. The Masters is the only one of the four Major tournaments in the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) that doesn’t change locations - it’s always at Augusta National Golf Course. Although there are calls for the PGA to pull the Masters out of Georgia based on the new voting laws. To become a member of this iconic course is somewhat of a mystery. There are no criteria listed for membership, and the list of members is not public. Ron Townsend was named the first Black member in 1990, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice became the first woman member in 2012. (There are now only six women members). TEEING OFF
2. Longtime broadcast partner of the tournament, CBS, admitted they edit in melodic bird sounds during the telecast to enhance the programming and make it feel more like a “natural paradise,” even though spectators have noted the lack of birds on the course. Apparently, CBS admitted to doing this for other tournaments as well. At least nothing will swoop down and steal your $3 popcorn or poop in your $5 beer (see below). TWEET TWEET
3. The famed green jacket became a tradition in 1949. Members of the club decided on the color green so fans in attendance at the tournament could spot them if they had questions. The Masters’ winner also receives a green jacket. The winner is allowed to have the green jacket for one calendar year. After that year, they’re only permitted to wear it when they’re on the grounds of Augusta. NO TAKE BACKS
4. The famed Champions Dinner happens on Tuesday evening before the tournament. It’s tradition for the previous winner to select the menu for the famed feast between all the former Masters winners. Dustin Johnson’s menu will make you hungry, but it has nothing on the Masters’ cheap concessions of $3 pimento cheese sandwiches and a $5 beer. The dinner included filet mignon, miso-marinated sea bass and pigs in a blanket. One notable attendee was missing from the dinner, the five-time Masters champion himself, Tiger Woods. Woods is recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident earlier this year. GREAT FOOD, GREAT COMPANY
5. Two players for the fans in person and watching on TV to watch for are:
Brooks Koepka – The newly engaged Koepka had knee surgery less than a month ago and has been spending 7+ hours a day in physical therapy to return in time for the Masters. He’s never won the tournament. WORTH A SHOT
Jon Rahm – Rahm is entering the tournament with new motivation, his newborn son. Rahm was telling people not to bet on him because he would leave The Masters to be there for his first child's birth. Luckily, he was born on Saturday, so now he can watch his dad play for the green jacket. DAD STRENGTH
The Countdown Is On
Baseball shatters the glass ceiling, history was made at the Masters and why an NFL game caused Blake Shelton to call a doctor.
It is the last week before we dive headfirst into the holiday season. There’s no time like the present to brush up on drama-free conversation starters that are (mostly) family-friendly.
Cheers to that,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
November has been a historic month for women breaking the glass ceiling. On Friday Kim Ng became the newest general manager of the Miami Marlins and the first female and first Asian-American to ever serve in that role in the history of the big four of American sports (MLB, NHL, NFL and NBA). She has served as an assistant GM with both the Yankees and the Dodgers as well as in the executive suite with the White Sox. Hall of Famer and Miami Marlins CEO/owner Derek Jeter led the breakthrough hire. WATCH OUT WORLD
Overtime
Dustin Johnson went from being quarantined with COVID in a hotel room for 11 days earlier this month to the most dominant performance ever at The Masters. Johnson shot 20 under par to land his first green jacket yesterday. Par is the expected number of strokes per hole for a golfer, or “average.” So, Johnson beat that average by 20 strokes, which is the lowest score in tournament history. There to celebrate with Johnson was his fiancé Paulina Gretzky, who is the daughter of hockey great Wayne Gretzky. CHAMPIONS RUN IN THE FAMILY
Sideline stat
Formula One (F1) driver Lewis Hamilton continues to make 2020 his year. Yesterday he won his seventh world championship, tying the record set by racing legend Michael Schumacher. As expected, Hamilton’s vegan pup Roscoe was there to celebrate with him. PARTY ON!
Coaches’ corner
And just like that we’re heading into the semifinals of “Dancing with the Stars” and long gone are the days of Carol Baskin and her tiger themed performances. Usually, athletes fare well in this competition but this year Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir is the only one remaining. The semifinalists include rapper Nelly and former Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe. (FOX) TROT TO VICTORY
What to watch
Last night’s game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills (NFL – National Football League) had us all at the edge of our seats including singer Blake Shelton, who shared his angst in a hilarious post on Twitter. CAN YOU ACTUALLY TWEET THAT?
When Nature Calls
You had one job, Tiger’s ridiculous look and tempers (and creativity) flare in the playoffs.
Saving you and the world from awkward conversations.
Intergalactic planetary,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Ps – Today is Earth Day so reduce, reuse, recycle and go vegan. That’s what one team is doing for Mother Earth. Read that and more in our five sports teams that are saving the planet.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In one of the most entertaining playoff series in recent history, the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are quite literally putting up a fight. Of course, they’ve been talking trash but there have been fights, ejections, wanted posters and one angry team general manager storming the referees’ locker room. (The 76ers lead the first round playoff series 3-1). PISSED OFF AND PASSIONATE
Overtime
From the ‘you had one job' file. While the Boston Celtics (NBA) were about the sweep the Indiana Pacers, eliminating them from the playoffs, ABC switched the broadcast over to “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” EITHER WAY IT WAS LAUGHABLE
Sideline stat
Serena Williams is putting her money where her mouth is. On Instagram, she revealed the details of her investment firm, Serena Ventures. She focuses on "early-stage investments in companies led by women and people of color and those that value 'individual empowerment' and creativity." RAISE ‘EM UP
Coaches’ corner
When a player wins the Masters (golf), they can wear the iconic green jacket anywhere for one year. (After one year they can only wear the jacket on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club). Tiger Woods took advantage of this perk and wore his new favorite green accessory with basketball shorts and white tennis shoes to his restaurant. BUSINESS ON TOP, GYM RAT IN THE BACK