1,334 Miles, 25 hours and 51 minutes Later
Friday April 1, 2011 I began an incredible eight days of chasing sports around the southeastern part of the United States. My journey started in Auburn, Alabama, and ended there ten days later. I will be recapping each specific event in detail but for now I want to give a broad overview of my travels and experiences.
I left Auburn, Alabama, Friday, April 1, 2011 around 6:00pm central time and drove to Duluth, Georgia.
Miles Driven: 134
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 2 hours, 20 Minutes
The next afternoon I played The Highlands Course at The Atlanta Athletic Club with a good friend of mine, Matt Bruder. This is the course that will be host to the 93rd PGA Championship this August.
 |
| 25 MPH winds and fast greens gave me and Matt issues on the front nine of The Highlands course. |
 |
| Our play improved dramatically: Hole number 8 Matt puts a great chip within inches of the hole. |
 |
| Great drives on Number 10 left Matt and I with manageable approach shots for Par and Birdie. |
I awoke early Sunday, April 3, 2011 to return to Auburn, Alabama, for a golf tournament some friends and I had set up.
Miles Driven: 134
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 2 hours 20 Minutes
I played well on the course that afternoon and was excited about the week ahead of me. The next leg in my journey was a two day excursion to Augusta, Georgia, for Monday and Tuesday practice rounds at The Masters. I left Auburn, Alabama, Sunday evening around 8:30pm for Augusta Georgia.
Miles Driven: 247
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 4 hours and 20 minutes
Due to the time change, I arrived in Augusta, Georgia a little after 2:00am eastern time. It was a short nights sleep as we awoke at 5:30am ready to spend the day at Augusta National.
Monday at Augusta National left many lasting memories.
 |
| Dustin Johnson works with swing coach Butch Harmon, who also assists Tiger Woods and several other golfers. |
 |
| A perfect day at Augusta National. |
From Left to Right: Ben Cantrell (First Masters), Myself (Second Masters), Andrew Bruen (Third Masters)
After a great first day my two friends headed home, and I headed to Columbia, South Carolina, to prepare for day two at The Masters.
Miles Driven: 72
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 1 hour, 16 minutes
After a short night of sleep, my friend who I stayed with awoke and I at 5:15am to prepare for another day at Augusta National. There were bad storms that moved through the Southeast that evening, which made the drive from Columbia to Augusta slightly longer.
Miles Driven: 72
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Day two at The Masters proved every bit as spectacular as the first one, but it got even better as the day went on.
 |
| Storms kept the course from opening on time Tuesday. |
 |
| Great seats on the Par 3 13th provided a chance to see rising starts such as Rory McIlroy (pictured above) and Ernie Else (pictured below). |
Another great day at Augusta National came to an end, and I had to drive back to Auburn, Alabama that evening.
Miles Driven: 247
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Wednesday and Thursday lingered on as I had a presentation, project and test within those two days.
Friday finally came and it was time to travel to Atlanta, Georgia, for the Atlanta Braves home opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Miles Driven: 107
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 1 hour and 50 minutes
 |
| A chance to see collected his 2,500 hit. In my book he should be in the Hall of Fame. |
 |
| My cousin had a chance to attend his first Major League Baseball Game, which is always a thrilling event. |
The trip back to Auburn, Alabama, from Atlanta, Georgia, was not a good one. We were in I-85 bumper-to-bumper traffic for several hours.
Miles Driven: 107 miles
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Saturday, April 10, 2011 provided a day to rest in Auburn, Alabama, and prepare for one more travel day. I awoke Sunday morning April 11, 2011 and traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, for the Honda Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park.
Miles Driven: 107
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 2 hours, 15 minutes
 |
| Seeing the fastest cars in the world race in the world was an adrenaline rush. |
Meeting Danica Patrick was another great highlight of the day. We had a brief conversation, and I did not have the chance to give her my number. But I am sure another situation will arise, and we can meet up for coffee or dinner and discuss the racing industry.
Miles Driven: 107
Approximate time spent driving to destination: 2 hours, 15 minutes
As I reflect on the mileage I drove and the hours I spent in the car to reach my destinations, I can only think about how I am ready to get on the road again.
Total Miles Driven: 1,334
Total Hours spent in the car: 25 hours and 51 minutes