Golf at night

 THROUGHOUT NIGHT LIFE, THERE IS A MAJOR ONE. The Masters set the curve while the rest collect C’s gentleman (Ryder Cup included, all respect). The reasons range from pragmatic to spiritual - corporate entertainment budgets are coolest in the spring, azalea blooms release pheromone powder that forces golfers to put on their finest pastels and bake. but the most obvious is the value of a fixed place. Just as the traditions inside the doors have formed naturally over decades, so it happens outside them every April. Although New York or Paris will excel in a golf tournament with competing events, and a major second-tier host city even every ten years in some respects always starts again, Augusta’s alter-ego has an identity. and rhythm set. Regulars know where to go for golf at night, and when.

Draw a 20-mile radius around the National golf arena at night and as the locals refer to the club, respect sparked with fear — to think of this playground at night. It is a network of functions in beautiful homes inside gated communities guarded by wet locals for the incessant buzz of Ubers and rental cars, fairy land of heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bars. The heart is Washington Road’s commercial crawl with its neon-advertised rides and attractions. Snoop Dogg, Lil Jon and Nelly played in the same dance hall, and another establishment organized a Masters-themed bikini contest. Wonderful times all, but a public record. Our purpose here is to consider the scene which is a bit more exclusive. In these places, you will not meet young Atlantans who work the world’s oldest profession.

Experience Golf Night

But first, Rule No. 1 for a night out here: Rely on GPS only if you have to. Roads will end prematurely in unmanned grades, addresses exist near duplication in nearby South Carolina, and local police can at any time disrupt your flow with a single route of traffic. redirect traffic. Attach to the back roads, and hold it between the pines.

In the absence of a guest to stay at the tournament site after twilight, the next best ticket is to meet someone who picks up a party at Sage Valley Golf Club, located 16 miles in the northeast in Graniteville, SC From the green blazers to the food in the clubhouse, to the flawless fairways, to the many wellserviced cottas in the night mist, you might think you're in the National.

Each year during the Masters, various entities (including Golf Digest) rent cottages in the Sage Valley to entertain esteemed clients. Opportunities for a very digestive, but most enjoyable night-time placement is on the three-hole Dormie Course, which can be played with nine permanent and bright lights. This is no pitchand-putt, but real golf hole lengths are 162, 413 and 361 yards — with conditions maintained to the same standard as the championship course.

The vibe of the Dormie Course is evolving, as well as the layout, which will soon be expanded to nine holes. Originally intended as a quick line to settle bets during the day, after dark it was a more official arena. In 2017, the first tee time available for booking was 9:30 p.m., and a permanent focus on the first tee were uniform caddies reserving your spot for dinner or a pass to the central holidays.

Choose your pleasures, but you can’t go wrong by refilling your barbecue dish, refilling your gimlet glass twice more, and then lying on your back with a teed ball in your mouth and try not to get distracted as social media starlet Kenzie O ’Connell beats driving in the lights. Fear, lust, adrenaline, power. . . if it’s too much for you, put it by the fire, grab a softer drink, and go work on your middle wedges. Just to hit balls from a range of grass of this caliber at night is a feast.

Champions Retreat, as you may know, is hosting the first two rounds of the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which ends at the National Sunday before the 2019 Masters. When ANGC president Fred Ridley made the announcement on Wednesday of the 2018 Masters, I was with a fairly high-ranking Champions Retreat staff watching Paige Spiranac welcome guests on the their range. They were excited to join the National to organize such an event but even to that day they had not heard of it.

What makes Masters Week special is the feeling of being at the center of the game at the start of a new season. From agents to avid fans, almost everyone you meet has a great golf history and an interesting look at the tournament. Almost everyone. Although many passionate golfers dream of a lifetime attending only one Masters, the corporate leisure wanderings mean some lesser folk.pen winner.

“I'm a golfer,” Irwin said. "Me, too!" And then, taking not quite enough time to swallow a crab cake, to Harmon III: “And how about you?” "I'm a golf teacher." “Cool! My kid takes lessons. Do you teach juniors? " "No." "Who do you teach?" "I've got a few students in the tournament this week." Dinner reservations can be a fight during Masters Week, and so management firms have traditionally rented houses so their players have the option to drop in for an easy meal. Somewhere along the way, these open-door hangouts morphed into fullblown client entertainment. The IMG house is a party every night, although players still stop by, usually on the earlier side.

One place where you’re guaranteed to see players, even late, is the Wheels Up party. Originally it was conceived as an event for clients of the private-aviation company to bring high-net-worth friends who might also become clients, but over the past five years, it has become a not-so-well-kept secret. The tent-erectors, the stage-builders, the goodybag suppliers you can see them setting up days in advance if you pass by a certain gated community's golf course, whose parking lot is fully utilized on the big night.