I was up early on Wednesday morning and had a long and very full day ahead of all of us but especially JJ and I. I showered and dress in black jeans and an Oakmont polo shirt and a light jacket. I threw my bags, all three of them in the back of the Wrangler headed to the airport. There was a stop for coffee and a breakfast sandwich all of which were to go. I just laughed when the jet was at the appropriate spot accompanied by the Major. We shook hands and I went inside and filed the flight plan. When I returned JJ was there chatting with his dad. JJ looked at me and said w have work to do so let's get started with the outside pre-check. The Major said guys, I already did that and the jet was completely gone over. JJ laughed out loud and said, thanks dad. I hope you won't mind if we check your work but please stop with these ridiculous tests. With that JJ and I started on a slow and detailed check of the outside of the jet. With that done JJ and I went to our vehicles and retrieved our luggage. Jj had two smallish suitcases and a suit bag. As we walked back to the jet he bitched about needing a blazer and suit to watch people play golf. I reminded him that it was required dress for dinner and added boots won't even work on the course. He laughed at that saying, I knew that asshole.
Back at the jet I opened the cargo hatch and our bags were set on the ground and we would wait till all the luggage was there. It was just about 8:30 so we had a lot of time and the three of us just stood around chatting and I was glad that I had the coffee. At one point JJ looked at his dad and said dad, we are not manually checking the fuel as neither of us are going on this trip smelling of jet fuel.since you went over the jet we are going to assume the damn gauges work. Besides there is nowhere that says that we need to do that and I would bet you watched the JT being fueled. Jim laughed out loud and said have a great flight but call me as soon as you are on the ground and he went on his way. JJ took a deep breath and said, damn the dude is going to have a nervous breakdown, one would think this as our first flight.
At about 8:45 it was like someone opened the gates and Jessica arrived driving herself and JJ went and helped her with her bags. Just behind her was Doc and his wife and I helped with those bags. Patti and thankfully she had one large bag. That left the pro and his girl and they appeared at 8:50 with one bag each. Everyone stood around chatting while JJ and I loaded the luggage and I was relived that it fit and that the weight wasn't a problem. JJ opened the door and lowered the steps and I gathered everyone together and updated them on what would happen. I told them to find a seat and buckle in and unless using the toilet JJ and I would like them to remain seated. That we would be cruising at around 43,000 feet and Fred hung speeds of about 500 miles an hour. The weather was sunny and wam and a high of around 77 was expected. There were no questions so I had everyone get on board. I secured the door and doubled checked that it was secured.
JJ and I did the pre-flight check and started the right engine and quickly followed that with the left engine. I contacted Allegheny ground and were quickly cleared to taxi for takeoff. It turned out that we were second for takeoff as there was a single engine craft ahead of us. A few minutes later we were cleared for takeoff and heading due East. It was a fairly quick tun southwest and we would be approaching Augusta Regional from the west. As we approached cruising altitude JJ got on the intercom and said, good morning this is JJ Messer you copilot and welcome to MJS Airways Flight 27 to Augusta Georgia. Currently the weather is clear and the temperature is 70 degrees. Our flight time will be approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Feel free to unbuckle but remain seated as much as possible. Enjoy the flight.
I laughed and JJ and I settled into our routine. We chatted as we checked the radar for traffic but it was a very smooth uncomplicated flight. The flight plan had us east of Atlanta and West of Athens. Once we were clear of traffic towards Atlanta I contacted the airfield and got the ATIS and started the initial approach. JJ back on the intercom told the passengers we were starting our approach and asked them to buckle up. Apparently they were busy and that was to be expected but we were third for landing and simply entered the pattern. I hadn't done that in a while and it was a good thing I had a great memory and that was the only complication on the trip. Minimal wind at 4 knots, hardly worth mentioning. I followed the directions and we were easily at the terminal. We carefully did the shutdown procedure and I went inside and made arrangements for the care of the jet. They were very cooperative and I was asked how did I manage to get the same jet as Palmer. I laughed and said well actually he has the same jet as I do. We ordered them at the same time but he got his first. Then the guy said a Major Messer called a few minutes ago asking if you were on the ground yet. I just shook my head and paid the fees for the jet and went looking for the shuttle. Turned out we had a 15 minute wait for the shuttle and that stretched to 35 minutes by the time we got the luggage on board. I was surprised as Cole's Pro had his own arrangements and I was actually good for that as once he would have gotten to the club he was Cole's responsibility.
The ride to the club turned out to be fun as the two girls turned out to be very friendly and chatted and kidding each other. Doc and his wife chatted and took in the scenery and chatted with the girls. As we got close to the club JJ started to laugh and said MJ, even you couldn't afford one of these places. Docks wife just looked at me and I just shrugged and did the MJ pivot by asking the girls where they were going to find their men. Patti laughed and said well the boys better be finding us and Liam can put the. Luba down and carry my bag. JJ shook his head and said well with all the money Cole is winning for him he can afford to hire a dude to do that. Patti fired back saying JJ, that kid wins because of Liam. It bent from a good time to hostility in less than 5 minutes. The fact of the matter was that Cole and Liam were a great team. Doc look at the girls and said you two have the ability to mess things up. Find a way to stop sniping at each other. Both of your guys are in position to be very successful and both have solid fall back positions. Under stand fall back positions are great but it is settling, don't you dare make either of those two settle.
Thankfully we made the turn onto Magnolia Lane and Augusta National. We were driven to a gated area and as we approached the gate opened and we stopped in front of a small cottage. JJ, Doc and I went inside and there was a middle aged woman there who smiled and said good afternoon Mr. Simmons and welcome to Augusta National. I was surprised but I knew that details were important. I was asked who my guest was as I had a number or cottages reserved. Doc gave his name and was given a key and a map of the grounds. He was asked to go outside and told his luggage would be loaded in a golf cart and he and his wife would be driven to their cottage. The woman then said that the cottages are close most things but if he called they would get them wherever. Doc went outside and I was told that I had a cottage was very close to things and that it and all my expenses and the room was complements of the USGA. I checked on the availability of the other three rooms and that was all good as expected.
Our luggage was also loaded into a golf cart and JJ and I were driven to a cottage and I was amazes as it was in a nice area and the cottage seemed a bit larger. Our stuff was placed inside and I tipped the guy for thee ride and the help and looked around. JJ laughed and asked MJ, why are there 2 beds? I shrugged and said well I guess it's in case you are a jerk. He shook his head and said, I'm fucking starving we need to eat. It was a 10 minute walk to the madness that was the Master's with thousands of people watching the Par 3 contest and the practice rounds. JJ went looking for food and I went into the Pro Shop, introduced myself and mentioned that I was with the USGA. That got some attention after they checked and I simply asked about if Cole had a practice round today. I was told just the back nine and he should be on 15. I figured we would walk down 18 and hang out at the 17th green and watch the approach and putting then watch him play 18. I met up with JJ who handed me a hotdog and a cup of lemonade. MJ, they wouldn't sell me beers but we need to get some for our room. We made it to the 17th green and managed to get close enough to see. It was about 6 deep around the green and it was building. Then in the distance I saw a lot of people moving. I realized that they must be following Cole. As we stood there watching the group ahead of Cole finish the hole I heard this guy standing next to me say to his buddy, who the fuck is this kid, a practice round with Palmer and Couples. The other guy shook his head and replied, hell they seem to be watching the kid. When we saw them a couple of holes ago the kid was almost outside the ropes signing autographs and fist bumping. It looks like Palmer's army has a new general. I had to laugh at that. When I saw Cole I was a bit surprised as he was in what was considered normal golf attire, slacks and a Latrobe Country Club shirt. The Plus4's were nowhere in sight. The 17th hole is a fairly straight forward hole that plays 440 yards and has 2 bunkers in the front right and left. Today the pin was in the right center and a friendly location, it wouldn't be like that the rest of the week. We had moved about 10 yards down the fairway to get a better view. I saw that Fred was hitting first and he blasted one tight down the middle and it was very long. AP was next and he hit a draw that was also on the fairway but not as long as Fred's. Cole didn't waste any time but it was the same routine, as far as I could tell from this distance. His shot started down the right middle of the fairway and moved slightly to the left. I just shook my head as his drive ended up very close to where Fred's ball had finished. Then I heard another spectator say that kid seemed determined to show he can play with Freddie. It turned out that there were 3 pars. JJ and I moved down the 18th fairway to get a look at those shots. The hole requires a layup short of the fairway bunker then a short iron to the green. Now there were so many people watching the group that we just gave up and headed back.
At the cottage I called and made 6:00 reservations for dinner. At the cottage it was separate showers and we both dressed in blue blazers, I had khakis and a blue shirt, blur and red tie. JJ wore grey slacks, white shirt and a red power tie. The restaurant was nicely full but not overly so and we were immediately seated. JJ ordered an Arnold Palmed and is ordered the same. Wes didn't even try to order something stronger. When the waiter returned with the drinks JJ ordered stuffed chicken breast, onion string beans and a sweet potato. I ordered Virginia ham, Roasted Carrots and Parsnips and Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes. The standard bread was biscuits. JJ and I talked about the club and how it reeked money and fake politeness. The Southern food was different but very good. When we were finished eating it was coffee and peach cobbler. It was warm out and getting dark but we were in no hurry to get back to the cabin so we went on the veranda. We found a couple of chairs hung our jackets on the back of the chairs and both ties came off in a flash. We were talking about next week and Spring Break when a waiter appeared and again we ordered Arnold Palmers and continued chatting. We finished our drinks and were about to head to the cabin when dad appeared with a waiter who wad a tray with three drinks. Dad grabbed two drinks and handed one to each of us. Then grabbed his drinks and pulled a chair up and sat down. The drinks turned out to be be spiked Palmers. Dad said guys, I was hoping to catch you two. Megan is tending to Ashley and I need to talk to Mike and JJ I wanted you to hear this as well.
Dad told a deep breath and said Mike, I owe you an apology for a lot of things. I should have taken more of a stand with your mom. She mistreated you and I didn't do enough then I let you deal with Bill and that should have been me dealing with that punk. Then there is Adam and the trust. Guys Adam and I have been together since freshman year in college. We are very close and we look out for each other. We did everything together and always have each others back. Things happen and sometimes when things get complicated we end up in bed together. Mike, once upon a time I loved your mom and I love Megan, Ashley and both you and Cole. With all that Adam is still very important. Guys, I feel that you two are close to each other just like Adam and I. I want you both to know that I understand and respect your relationship. I think it's great and it's, as far as I am concerned, between the two of you I'll not interfere in any way. Mike, I would expect that you understand the relationship I have with Adam. JJ and I looked at each other and dad got up and I stood up and gave dad a hug and whispered and said, thanks dad and I'll give Adam some space. Dad then said good night guys.
Once dad was out of earshot JJ said, holy fuck now what? JJ, I don't know about you but dad just dropped a bomb. I suspected his relationship with Adam and as much as I have tried not to be like dad I guess I grew up to be just like him. Just then the waiter appeared and said gentlemen these were ordered for you. It was the same drink dad had provided and neither of us knew what to think. Finally JJ said MJ, it seems like we should get to the cabin and see if we can understand all that was dropped on us tonight. I laughed and said well I would rather just get naked and see what comes up as I just got permission to have sex with you. We set our glasses down and started towards the cabin. When we were in a secluded part of the trip JJ grabbed my hand then pulled me into a hug and kissed me. I don't know how but we were still fully clothed when we opened the cabin door. By the time we got to a bed we were both nude and fully boned up. Just then the phone rang and it was Cole. I said hey dude, why are you fucking Jessica. He laughed and said, that will happen soon enough. I just wanted to tell you my tee time is 10:53 so sleep in. It was a quick chat and I hung up and JJ said well that was actually good now let's slow down and do this right and he leaned in and kissed me and it was gentle and romantic and very special. I thought sleep that might not happen..
Thanks for reading and the notes.
Please remember NIFTY, it's important as they can always use your financial support.