I still remember the feeling of entering Augusta National for the first time. A mix of nerves, emotion, and the joy of finally fulfilling a dream: seeing the Masters in person. Walking on that "sacred ground" after so many years of watching it on television. Realizing that this place is real, and not a fantasy!

The alarm clock went off very early that day. We wanted to be at Augusta National as soon as the gates opened. The club was about 25 minutes from the house we rented. There were people everywhere; we had to cross Washington Road and find parking. To no one's surprise in the car, everything was perfectly organized. Staff members pointing the way, letting pedestrians cross, arranging cars in nearby lots... everything made easy for the thousands and thousands of people approaching, like us, full of enthusiasm and excitement. For the vast majority of us, I am sure, it was the first time attending the Masters. And the entrance to the club could not have been simpler.

The entrance. My legs were already starting to tremble. An unshakeable smile on my face. I present my ticket to the guard at the gate, and I finally enter Augusta National. Everything was perfect. Everything clean, everything orderly, everything manicured, everything signposted; the club staff was very friendly and helpful to those asking questions.

On that initial walk, you pass by the practice range and the main pro-shop (this visit was left for the end, but spoiler alert: I cleared it out!). And at the end of that corridor, a giant leaderboard awaited us, with the flags of all the countries represented that year at the Masters. I remember that when I entered, I didn't quite understand where I was. I thought I knew the course after watching the tournament on TV for so many years. I remembered every hole in my mind, but I couldn't find my bearings. Of course, I hadn't taken into account that through the screen, you don't fully appreciate the elevation changes of the course. I found myself in the middle of the 1st hole fairway, on the downhill. The downhill? Yes, the downhill. Hole 1, Tea Olive, a 445-yard par 4, has a very sharp drop from the tee. And consequently, the second portion of the hole is a steep climb. All my life I assumed that hole was completely flat. And this is the welcome the course gives you. It makes it very clear, from the first moment you lay eyes on it, that what you saw on television is not at all what you see in person.

The fairway of hole 1 is only the beginning. When you reach the green, you see "hollows" that are also not visible through the screen. I heard someone describe the 1st green as if someone had buried 4 elephants, and their backs were covered only by a thin layer of turf. There is the elevation change on the second shot of the par-5 2nd hole, Pink Dogwood, down to the green. Another large drop on hole 4, a 240-yard par 3, Flowering Crab Apple. And so on in several holes. But none like the elevation change on hole 10, a 495-yard par 4, Camellia. The height difference from the tee to the fairway must be about 20 meters. It's like a 6-story apartment building!

Another thing I remember very well is that at the entrance, near the giant leaderboard mentioned before, there was a kind of pamphlet available informing which players were going out to practice that day, with whom, the schedule, and the starting tee (this was a practice day). This way you were informed about whom you could follow, at what time, and plan the day better. A great detail by the organization.

Speaking of organization. I have been lucky enough to attend massive events. From concerts, sports events, to theme parks. But the Masters takes the prize. The level of organization, information, cleanliness, and coordination. From the parking, the entry, the public information of what is happening, the lines at the food stalls, even the lines to enter the bathrooms are organized! Even when there is a long line and you think you will spend 20 minutes to buy a sandwich (be sure to try the egg salad and the pimento cheese), you find yourself outside the shop with a sandwich, beer, and ice cream in hand in less than 2 minutes.

The behavior of the public, or rather I should say the Patrons, is also worth mentioning. The fact that you cannot enter with a cell phone I think is a big part of the experience. And the tradition that if you place a folding chair in a spot on the course, that chair will stay there, untouched and unmoved, until its owner claims it. In fact, there is a special section for chairs at each hole. That is strictly respected by everyone.

And yes, the pro-shop. It is immense. And you want to buy absolutely EVERYTHING. That logo is addictive, they say. And they have everything. From shirts, polos, sweaters, hoodies, flags, markers, caps, hats, glasses, mugs, photographs, plates for dog/cat food, even garden gnomes. And people take it all! They take too much. And even then, it's not enough.

For those who have been lucky enough to go, I compare it to Disney World, but for adults. For the organization, for the dream fulfilled, for the history, for the purchases one makes, for the memories...

And if you stay until closing time, you can observe the army of lawn mowers that come out to prepare the course for the next day. They go out in groups of 8-10 machines together to cut and level the grass. It's like being in the theater watching a symphony, a ballet. Every detail is cared for.

One thing is certain: watching the Masters is different after having attended. You understand the course more, see the slopes, appreciate the complexity of each shot. It is an experience you have to live at least once in a lifetime.

And for those lucky enough to go for the first time, I leave you with some recommendations here:

• 1. Try to walk all 18 holes, straight through. If it's following a group, even better. But this might take a bit too long. But walking the 18 holes gives you a sense of where each hole is, where you want to stay to watch some groups pass, etc.

• 2. Get close to the practice area. There are even bleachers to sit there for a while and see the best in the world hit one ball perfectly after another. Also, get close to the two practice putting greens, where you have the players very close.

• 3. Sit at the 6th green (par 3). It is a very interesting hole, with a green with two very pronounced levels, and you see the players practicing for the different pin positions they will have during the tournament. Plus, behind the green, there is a very good food stall.

• 4. Places on the course you must look at: the 11th tee and appreciate how difficult that opening shot is; the 18th tee and see how narrow that opening shot is; as I said before, go to the 10th tee and appreciate the elevation change.

• 5. Amen Corner! Go. See it in person. That's it.

In short, that was my experience at the Masters. Grateful to have lived it at least once. And this week I will sit down to watch the tournament, not only with a better appreciation and knowledge of the course, but I will also be able to once again remember my stroll through the "sacred ground."