This ain't no game....

[DanG]

...I really don't know what it is. :D

It stands between the #2 green and the #8 fairway at Augusta National.  I've asked several people who should know, but they don't.  As you can see, it's a huge shrub, and quite beautiful when in bloom.

[WDH]

It looks like a very large fringe tree, Chionanthus virginicus, also known as Old Man's Beard.  However, it is larger than any that I have seen.  If it is fringe tree, it must be a horticultural variety.  Also, it might not be the native fringe tree, but the chinese variety instead.  Those flowers look exactly like the ones on the fringe trees around here.  They don't naturally grow that thick and bushy in the wild, but hey, that is Augusta National, and it used to be a plant nursery at one time.  If it is fringe tree, it is one on steroids :D.

Check out the pic on this website of the Chinese variety, called China Snow.
http://www.greenwoodnursery.com/page.cfm/22244

[pineywoods]

Around here it's commonly known as "Gramps Graybeard". they don't get very big. Have 2 of them in my yard.

[DanG]

WDH may be onto it.(surprise, surprise :D )  It isn't the same as the wild "Grandfather Greybeard" that we have around here, but may be an exotic version.

It isn't unusual for there to be magnificent specimans found at Augusta National.  Here are some of the most splendid Native Azaleas you will ever see.

[WDH]

It is a rare treat to get to go to the masters, and the golf is incredible.  But for a person who enjoys plants, that place will blow your mind.  Those natives are beautiful, DanG.

[wwsjr]

The Masters always brings back fond memories for me. In 1993 my daughter and her family lived in Augusta. I was living in Newnan, GA. My father-in-law was retired and living in Springfield, MO. We met at my daughters' and  went to the Wednesday practice round, no tickets for rest of week. We walked the entire course following many of the pros who were putting on a good show. Greg Norman skipped several balls on the water across the lake on 16, quite a show. The beautiful views as we walked the course was unbelievable. My father-in-law was an accomplished golfer usually shooting his age prior to his death from cancer at 82, almost one year to the day after we walked the Augusta course. It was the last time I spent any time with him prior to his passing. Each year as I watch on TV, I remember our day and how beautiful it was. 

[DanG]

wwsjr, that must have been a very special day for you and your Father-in-law.  Hey, we were there at the same time!  '93 was my first year working there.   Now, after 15 years of it, I still find myself amazed that I'm actually doing this.  That cart trail where I took the above pics crosses the 2nd fairway, then courses downhill between the 2nd and 8th fairways.  It then curves to the left and crosses #8 with a spectacular view of the clubhouse complex.



Then it parallels the 8th fairway and crosses just in front of the 18th tee, then just in front of the 15th tee, around the 14th green and terminates at Amen Corner.  Invariably as I make the turn at 14 green, I think to myself, "BOY HOWDY! I can't believe I'm doing this!!"  Then I can't help sneaking a peek at that 48" Loblolly pine that flanks the approach to the 11 green, and do a little dreaming.  It's a wonder I ain't run somebody over! :D :D

[WDH]

Those pines around #10 green are mighty fine too.

[DanG]

My travels don't take me near the 10th, but I know it is in a pretty area, down by the cabins and the little par-3 course.  I posted some pics of that area last year.  As far as I know, though, the 48" pine by 11 is king of the hill.

An interesting sidelight is that during WW2, the course was converted into a turkey farm, to help feed the troops.  That was in the day when the Club was made up of self-made men of dignity and wisdom.  That ilk is fading fast, and is being replaced by corporate suck-up types that have kissed their way up the ladder.  Arrogant bunch. :-\

[Dodgy Loner]

WDH is right, that's a Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus).  They've got some very large specimens on the UGA campus.  They get bigger than our native fringe trees, and the leaves are thick, round, and evergreen, but the flowers are basically identical.

[WDH]

Welcome to the Forum Dodgy Loner.  Are you a student there?

[WDH]

Forget the question, Dodgy Loner.  Your cover has been busted.  You snuck in on me here.  You should be able to significantly contribute to the "Identifying Oaks" threads 8).

[DanG]

Welcome to THE Forestryforum, Dodgy Loner!  Some of WDH's comments lead me to believe we are in for a treat, when you two start getting "into" it. ;D  I'm gonna sit back and enjoy! 8) 8) 8)

I've sorta dubbed myself  "The Voice of the Ignorant" on this part of the Forum, so I'll try to pull y'all back down to earth once in a while. ;)   I can assure you, I'm ultimately qualified for this role. :D

[Dodgy Loner]

Thanks for the warm welcome, DanG.  I have a feeling I'm gonna have fun here ;D

[SwampDonkey]

We have a Chinese lilac at the old cemetery that is quite big, but it's probably 80 years old or more. We had to chain up the shoots a few years ago to keep it from sprawling all over. It blooms in mid-summer.


The petals on that shrub down there remind me of service berry, but the arrangement is different.

[bedway]

Given the opportunity to walk augusta, i think id have goose bumps from the first tee to the 18th green. Your a lucky man Dang!,,bedway

[DanG]

Bedway, you can go online and put yer name in the hat for practice round tickets.  They draw names out of that hat until the tickets are gone.  If ya get lucky and get tickets, but then can't go, the tickets are REAL easy to unload. :D  Hint: order twice as many tickets as you need.  They usually send half as many as you ask for.