Bishop's Corner: PGA's Ted Bishop checks in from The Masters (Wednesday)

"Golf provides us with many special opportunities," said Joe Steranka, the Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of America, as we walked through the bowels of Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday prior to Opening Day for the Cardinals. I can't even remember if I replied back, I was just immersed in trying to take it all in.

Within a few minutes, our PGA delegation found itself standing on the field behind the batting cage. Albert Pujols stood a few feet away. The sun glistened down on the newly mown grass and the downtown skyline featuring the famed Arch was magnificent. Mike Shannon, Cardinals' great and longtime announcer, stopped by to chat about golf. Yes, "special opportunities" was both accurate and a huge understatement.

Several hours before, we had met civic leaders at the famed Bellerive Country Club -- host of both a PGA Championship and United States Open. Among those we talked with there was Ozzie Smith, Baseball Hall of Fame member and legendary Cardinals shortstop. Smith is now a champion for the Gateway PGA Golf Foundation. I do not know of anything else that unites so many people from so many backgrounds, that gives more enjoyment to such a diverse and varied group of people, than golf. Everywhere I go, athletes, politicians, entertainers, lawyers, waiters, hotel clerks, it doesn't matter, they love to talk golf. And so do I. Special opportunities and special people.

And so here we are, the inaugural literary tee shot of 2011 for me. And I couldn't be doing it from a better place. It's the Wednesday of Masters week and I'm here at Augusta National serving my third stint as a rules official for the season's first major championship.

I hope you will enjoy sharing my week here with me. I know it's going to be an incredible and special time at a place that's never provided anything except tremendous experiences. When I finish my tenure as a PGA Officer in 2016 I will have spent approximately 90 days either being a spectator, playing the course or serving as a rules official. Think about that. I will have spent almost three months of my life at Augusta National Golf Club. And you know what? I still get goose bumps driving up Magnolia Lane. I still feel like a kid when I walk into the clubhouse. I still feel butterflies when I see the patrons lining the fairways as I walk out to my assignment.

A few weeks ago I fortunate enough to be invited by a member to tee it up at Augusta National. The course was in the best shape that I have seen it in all my times there. And I'm told, based on the weather over the past few weeks, the flowering trees and plants should be spectacular all week for the Masters. I'm not sure how they seem to time the blooming each year to coincide with when the world is watching, but I'd love to know that secret for my course up in Indiana! Already, I can tell you, from what I've seen this week and from what I hear others saying, this beautiful piece of acreage, which always looks incredible, has never looked better.

This morning (Wednesday) I will attend a Rules Committee meeting where I find out my assignments for the week. I know there is no place on this course that won't be a great assignment. I'm excited and grateful for the opportunity.

For many, the Masters signifies the start of golf season. While the officers and leadership of the PGA of America don't really believe there is an offseason for golf, we understand that many fans and players really start to get excited about golf this week. I completely understand, I'm excited, too.

People ask me all the time, what I expect this week at the Masters. I expect a great tournament, like there is every year. I'm not keen on rooting for particular players, but I can tell you that our defending PGA Champion Martin Kaymer has really impressed me so far this year. And keep an eye out for Matt Kuchar -- I love his game and he's a fine young man to boot.

After three-putting six times at Augusta National on March 11, I have a renewed appreciation for what it takes to have success here. Distance control is vital; if you get on the wrong side of a green, you're toast. Driving accuracy is not as important, you have more room on the holes than you might realize from what you see on TV.

So as I head out to enjoy this week, I'm excited about enjoying this week with friends, colleagues, the best players in the world and now, via this column, with you. I hope to share with you the pristine nature of Augusta National along with the hopes and dreams (and pressures) of the Masters from a perspective you might not have seen/read before. I wear many golf hats throughout the year. I'm an owner/operator, a general manager, an instructor, a rules official and the Vice President of The PGA of America. But this week, like you, I'm also a fan. And what's better than a group of friends enjoying great golf together. I look forward to bringing Amen Corner to the doorstep of your mind. Thanks for reading and check back all week. It's going to be another of those special opportunities.