AUGUSTA, Ga. -- There are many different theories about the actual start of the Masters, from Arnie's ceremonial shot to the back nine on Sunday. For me, obviously, it's breakfast on the veranda. That's my favorite place on the course. But a close second has got to be the first Jack sighting.

It's Wednesday morning here. The cold has burned off. By the big tree, between the clubhouse and the first tee, are rows of tables, set for lunch, each with a wide green-and-white umbrella blocking the sun. At the far end, down near Butler Cabin, Jack Nicklaus and Paul Azinger make plans to meet up in a few hours. They say goodbye.

"Paul," Jack says in parting, "have a nice week."

Jack walks through the crowd with his wife, Barbara. They slip outside the security guard posted by the umbrellas. He's wearing his green jacket. It takes a moment before people realize who he is. A dad finally notices and jogs -- no running at the Masters! -- after him, getting a picture of his young son with Nicklaus. There's so much joy on the faces of people when they see Jack, especially here, with his family and his green jacket, that it's contagious. It's just one of a thousand little moments in the course of a week here that color everything, making the flowers a little brighter, the sandwiches a little better. Cold becomes brisk. Hot becomes sun-drenched. Wind becomes a breeze. That's the power of this place. Jack keeps walking but is gracious with the fans. A woman poses, then runs back to her friends, holding her camera up in the air.

"I can't believe it," she gushes.

Nicklaus walks down the path to a white cabin.

He opens the door and slips inside.