Spring has arrived and with it comes two of the most highly anticipated sporting events – the PGA Master’s Tournament and the Kentucky Derby have arrived with it. Sports enthusiasts can be found at some of these highly touted events in the United States.
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. For an even better time you should try a bet on the Kentucky Derby this year, there is a lot of different wagers you can make.
The race is known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports” for its approximate duration, and is also called “The Run for the Roses” for the blanket of roses draped over the winner. People come from all over the world to watch the race, and this year marks the 139th anniversary. The race is marked with several traditions, including drinking a mint julep, which is an iced drink consisting of a mix of bourbon, mint and a sugar syrup. It is the traditional beverage of the race, and the historic drink can be served in an ice-frosted silver julep cup, but most Churchill Downs patrons sip theirs from souvenir glasses (first offered in 1939 and available in revised form each year since) printed with all previous Derby winners. Also, burgoo, a thick stew of beef, chicken, pork and vegetables, is a popular Kentucky dish served at the Derby.
The Masters Tournament
The Masters Tournament will be held April 8-14th, 2013 in beautiful Augusta, GA. The second largest city in Georgia, Augusta sits along the Savannah River on the border with South Carolina. Attractions include an architecturally rich Historic District that’s recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as well as a scenic Riverwalk. The Masters Tournament is one of the four major tournaments in professional golf, and also has its own traditions. Since 1949, a green jacket has been awarded to the champion, who must return it to the clubhouse one year after the time of that player’s victory. In most instances, the green jacket is only removed from the club’s grounds by a first-time champion. A golfer who wins the event multiple times uses the same green jacket awarded upon his initial win (unless he needs to be re-fitted with a new green jacket). The Champions Dinner, inaugurated in 1952 by Ben Hogan, is held on the Tuesday before each tournament, and is open only to past champions and certain board members of the Augusta National Golf Club. Starting in 1963, legendary golfers, usually past champions, have hit an honorary tee shot on the morning of the first round. Such golfers have included Fred McLeod, Jock Hutchinson, Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Since 1960, a semi-social par 3 contest, on a par-3 course on Augusta National’s grounds, has been played on the day before the first round of each Masters Tournament.
