20 replies to this topic

[Jdhbbt]

HOLY MOLY.

There is a long story involved, and brevity has never been my strong suit, but here's the short of it -- I've been extended an (extremely generous) invitation to be a member of the media during the Masters. To say it's a career highlight for me is an understatement.

I do have one challenge -- I'm on my own dime for travel. And, as one might expect, housing is by far the most expensive aspect of the trip, especially if traveling solo. Crappy hotels are somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 billion dollars for the week.

While this is a total longshot, I'm hoping to make some new friends and go in on a house together. From everything I have read, that is the absolute best way to stay when attending the Masters, and I figure the Golfwrx community might be the absolute best chance I have to make some new friends. And I'm friendly! And (kinda) clean. And I will have one unbelievable story to share while I'm there.

I'll bring whiskey, enthusiastic high fives, and a sense of adventure. Who wants a new BFF?

Edited by Jdhbbt, 28 January 2019 - 04:42 PM.

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[fairways4life]

Lol. So just curious, what kind of media outlet scores you credentials to the Masters but won't cover your expenses?

[Bbo569]

Do you get a guest pass?

[Jdhbbt]

fairways4life, on 29 January 2019 - 12:40 PM, said:

Lol. So just curious, what kind of media outlet scores you credentials to the Masters but won't cover your expenses?

A fair question. My situation is pretty unique, and I don’t HAVE to be there all week to cover my single story. But c’mon. It’s the Masters. I plan to enjoy every minute of the experience possible.

Bbo569, on 29 January 2019 - 04:31 PM, said:

Do you get a guest pass?

Sorry, no.

[fairways4life]

Rent an RV for the week and park it next to John Daly's in the Hooters parking lot.

[Bbo569]

Jdhbbt, on 29 January 2019 - 05:04 PM, said:

fairways4life, on 29 January 2019 - 12:40 PM, said:

Lol. So just curious, what kind of media outlet scores you credentials to the Masters but won't cover your expenses?

A fair question. My situation is pretty unique, and I don’t HAVE to be there all week to cover my single story. But c’mon. It’s the Masters. I plan to enjoy every minute of the experience possible.

Bbo569, on 29 January 2019 - 04:31 PM, said:

Do you get a guest pass?

Sorry, no.

Dang, I live in the area and would have swapped a room for a guest pass!

[AppAlum]

If nothing comes together then stay in Columbia, SC. 70 miles, all interstate.

[Matt J]

AppAlum, on 30 January 2019 - 10:06 AM, said:

If nothing comes together then stay in Columbia, SC. 70 miles, all interstate.

That was my suggestion too.  Look at Athens, GA or Atlanta eastern suburbs.  If you want to save money and you're getting a real late start you may have to drive in every morning.

How old are you?  Maybe contact the college golf coach or try and reach out to a wider audience (don't think WRX is wide enough).

I like the camper idea.  You can park at any WalMart overnight.

Your problem is that you're on a budget and most who attend are not.  A guy who throws down 10k for badges isn't renting the 4th room in his house even if it sits empty all week.

[Jdhbbt]

fairways4life, on 29 January 2019 - 06:21 PM, said:

Rent an RV for the week and park it next to John Daly's in the Hooters parking lot.

I have looked into this option actually, including renting one and driving up (I'm about 8 hours away) or renting one in Atlanta. My preference is to stay further away if necessary, with Columbia being very reasonable in both price and distance.

Matt J, on 30 January 2019 - 10:14 AM, said:

AppAlum, on 30 January 2019 - 10:06 AM, said:

If nothing comes together then stay in Columbia, SC. 70 miles, all interstate.

That was my suggestion too.  Look at Athens, GA or Atlanta eastern suburbs.  If you want to save money and you're getting a real late start you may have to drive in every morning.

How old are you?  Maybe contact the college golf coach or try and reach out to a wider audience (don't think WRX is wide enough).

I like the camper idea.  You can park at any WalMart overnight.

Your problem is that you're on a budget and most who attend are not.  A guy who throws down 10k for badges isn't renting the 4th room in his house even if it sits empty all week.

I'm 37, so it's been 15 years since college golf, and yes, the fact I'm on a budget and going to the Masters all week isn't lost on me. It's actually remarkable how little information is available about attending the Masters on the cheap, probably because it just isn't possible. I suppose that could be a story in and of itself if I can pull it off.

However, that dude with a 4th room (or closet, or back patio, or even the garage) is exactly what I'm wishing for. I once stayed in the dining room, on the floor, of a $2+ million dollar penthouse on the beach, and that made for one heck of a story, and memory. I am still friends with the guy who owned the place.

[Matt J]

I hear ya... I've dirtbagged in some pretty nice digs, too.  Each involved a personal relationship though.

Your average guy / gal with access to those kinds of places aren't allowing random folks off the street or off an internet forum for that matter in, in my experience at least.

I feel like I've done a bunch of meetups since the old yahoo groups days and it's pretty rare that you meet a real weirdo from the internet, but most "normal" people are still weary.  Perhaps one of the couch surfing sites or something where you have a profile and some feedback might help?

Personally, I like the RV idea.  The trick would be scrounging up a shower.  Sometimes a local YMCA or other private gym will sell day access, that's a decent trick.  I'd probably drive it up from Florida if I were you rather than fly to ATL and rent one.  You could go up the coast and make a little golf trip out of it.  Best of luck!

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[driveandputtmachine]

Check Aiken, SC as well.  The weeks leading up to the Masters there will be more than one money game played at Palmetto.

[Luke.Sutton]

Want to go 50/50 on this house? Walkable to ANGC $10k

https://www.zillow.c.../14945873_zpid/

[Matt J]

Luke.Sutton, on 31 January 2019 - 07:54 PM, said:

Want to go 50/50 on this house? Walkable to ANGC $10k

https://www.zillow.c.../14945873_zpid/

Smarter long term investment.  $10k?  The dirt has to be worth that... just paint it and put doors and floors and you got a few grand a year in revenue for one week.  Should cover the taxes and insurance

I like the listing.  "Needs some work."  Nothing like some subtle understatement.  "Little work" is also known as a new roof, wiring, plumbing, appliances, and maybe a little under story project.  Also known as tear it down and build something new.

[ceejay81]

$47/mo mortgage is right up my alley.  Seems like a fantastic investment even if for only 1-2 weeks per year to price gouge some people.

[Fore Putt]

Haha, I live very near that house. Trust me, even though it's close to some nice stuff, no one is renting that. You'll find houses 3 blocks away renting for over $30K for the week, but not on that block!

[ewe8523]

Check out Lexington, SC just south of Columbia. There are a few hotels there with rooms under $150 per night.

[Jdhbbt]

Luke.Sutton, on 31 January 2019 - 07:54 PM, said:

Want to go 50/50 on this house? Walkable to ANGC $10k

https://www.zillow.c.../14945873_zpid/

Count me in. “That one time I bought a house to attend the Masters” might gain me some new readers.

[Jdhbbt]

Update—I found a spot. Thanks for all your help and suggestions. Can’t wait

[mupepperboy]

Hope you share your story here when the time comes- both the assignment and the adventure!

[bobcat88]

Definitely vote for the staying in Aiken, SC. Did that when I went a few years back, and it was an easy in and out drive.

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[vaca22]

AppAlum, on 30 January 2019 - 10:06 AM, said:

If nothing comes together then stay in Columbia, SC. 70 miles, all interstate.

Yup, I've done this.  I've also stayed in Athens.   Somehow my friend ended up getting a room at Red Roof Inn only a few miles away for like $110 a night, but that was only on a Monday.