The thought of attending the Masters for my first time thrilled me. I had gone shopping for the perfect spring dress, and as I got ready, I was ready to see "A Tradition Like No Other."

Now, all these years of seeing the television play this tournament makes you think that strolling through the course will be incredibly easy. It's not. The parking lot is long, but the course is longer. I left my phone in the car to make sure I followed the sacred rules, and then I journeyed to the main gate.

As I walked into the Masters, I made conversation with those around me. One man told me that he had seven houses. Usually I can hold my own and act like a normal person when I hear things like this. This time, for some reason, my mouth opened in a very unladylike manner. Then I proceeded to ask him "which one is your favorite?" because I couldn't just stand there with my mouth open this whole time.

We got up to the gates, and I located my brother. We walked in after the people checked our badges 5,000,000 times. Then it proceeded to feel like Disney World. The music, the bag checking, the badge checking—it all felt like I was entering a magical world. And then I was on the other side. And I finally went to see "A Tradition Like No Other".

Hundreds of people surrounded me as I tried to navigate my way past the main merchandise area. Everything around me felt like spring. The grass really was greener on the other side. I saw some golf, and I ate the famous pimento cheese sandwich.

And for the first time, I finally understood why I am so proud to be an Augustan. I have always been proud of my city for the golf tournament, the arts and some of the best schools in the state. However, when I saw the course in front of me and the people all together, I just finally got it.

My first experience with the Masters connected me to my home city. I learned what life would be like without cellphones. I ate a pimento cheese sandwich, and I learned a little about golf.