The New Zealand PGA president and Dunedin city councillor is bound for the one club, course and event every committed golf fan wants to tick off the bucket list.
Whiley has been obsessed with the idea of being at Augusta for the Masters almost from the day he picked up a club.
"Since I was 14 and I started playing golf," he said.
"I remember reading Golf Digest and just seeing the pictures of Augusta and the Masters and the whole story of the place."
He remembers watching Spanish great Seve Ballesteros winning at Augusta in 1980, and the immortal Jack Nicklaus winning another green jacket in 1986 at the age of 46.
But his favourite story is from 1995, when Ben Crenshaw was an emotional winner just days after the funeral of longtime coach Harvey Penick.
"That was one of those ones where you just knew he was destined to win."
Whiley will be at the famously manicured and stunning Augusta National next week for the 87th edition of the Masters.
He is genuinely almost speechless — rare for the councillor — when asked what it will mean to step on to the hallowed ground.
"I’ve read stories of people who go through the gate and just stop, and they start crying.
"It’s a bit like Muslims going to Mecca, or Catholics going to the Vatican, or ardent Liverpool fans going to Anfield.
"For me, this has always been the one thing I have wanted to do, and when the chance to get some tickets came along, my wife just said: ‘You’ve got to do it’."
Whiley will attend with a close friend and that man’s two sons, and will also catch up with his Bermuda-based brother.
Initially, the plan was to share two passes — for reference, a weekly pass to the tournament goes for $NZ750 — which would have entailed some creative swapping, as the club dictates tickets cannot change hands within 1km of the course.
The good news is Augusta has come to the party with a special pass for the NZPGA president.
"I’ve had the official letter from Augusta and signed a document to say I will abide by all the rules and restrictions," Whiley said.
"No running, no cameras, no phones."
He has also been given a clubhouse pass, and received an invitation from Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley to attend both the prizegiving — the lawn ceremony where the winner gets presented the famous green jacket — and a function with members.
Whiley is paying his own way but the trip is a chance to spread the word around New Zealand golf.
In a dream world, he will get to see a New Zealander win the tournament for the first time, but if Ryan Fox falls short, he would happily see an Australian in green.
"I am actually a huge Cam Smith fan.
"He was unlucky not to win last year, and it would just be unbelievable if he could do it.
"I’m also keen to watch Adam Scott. The only group I will probably stay away from is Tiger Woods, because there are just so many people around him."
