Hard to beat Masters week when it comes to sheer beauty, talent and tradition – and that’s just Augusta National and the folks in charge of making Masters week what it has come to be and symbolize. And then there’s the pre-tournament festivities: where else do you see legends like Ben Crenshaw turn back the hands of time, if only for a moment, or watch Rory McIlroy’s main squeeze do her best to simulate The Great White Shank at the par 3 tournament. It’s golf and sport at its finest.

From the looks of it at Golf Channel, Augusta National looks as beautiful as it has ever been. Unlike last year, when the azaleas were early this year they’re at their pink purple red and orange finest, meaning the golf will not only be awesome, but as picturesque as it can possibly be. Can’t imagine watching it on anything less than our 44″ flat screen. What a weekend for golf watching.

I know it sounds like I’m following the crowd on this, but I’m picking Tiger to win his 15th major and start the counter ticking once more to his passing Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors. My dark horse pic is Henrik Stenson, who always had the talent but only recently has put it all together. Of course, were Tiger to falter it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen, or Keegan Bradley win.

Who are some of the Goodboys picking for Master champion this year? This, from Ron “Cubby” Myerow:

Tiger hasn’t won the Masters since 2005,
It might be his green jacket year. Besides his new coach Foley, he has Steve Stricker helping him putt.

Even though I suck at playing this game, I love it.
And even though Golf equipment and instruction are important you just gotta “get real” and play!

Note: the theme of this year’s Goodboys Invitational as dictated by Exec-Comm is “Get Real”.

Mike “Vegas” Clark, who often knows what he’s talking about when he’s not bearing a strong resemblance to UK basketball coack Rick Pitino, puts it succinctly:

I’ll take Tiger.

As will I. Can’t wait to see it all unfold.