Page 4 - The Golf Guide, Spring 2017

Opening Shot

Like No Other

Your search for a sporting event that compares to The Masters Golf Tournament at
Augusta National will end rather abruptly. You see, there is none. As we bask in the
glow of another memorable event, I’d like to pass on some interesting and odd facts
about Augusta National and The Masters, which I collected over the years through
articles and blogs. Many green jacket aficionados may know of these, but I’m sure
that some data may surprise even the most knowledgeable golfers.

• The Augusta National Club was first conceived by legendary player Bobby
Jones along with investor Clifford Roberts. In fact, the latter coined the
term “The Masters,” which Jones never liked.

• The event would have never ever taken place if the USGA hadn’t nixed
Jones’ bid to host the U.S. Open there in 1934. The two then decided to hold
their own event that year, hence creating The Masters invitational.

• Course architect Alister McKenzie never saw his famous course completed.
He died 2 months before the inaugural Masters Tournament. Since then, 14
different designers have made changes to the course.

• The 72-hole, 4-day template now used in most PGA Tour events originated
with The Masters.

• Roberts also started the “over and under” par system in 1960. Up until then
only score totals were used.

• The golf club was built on a former nursery, and each of the holes was
named after a plant or shrub.

• There are more than 1,600 azaleas on the thirteenth hole alone.
• The tournament was not played from 1943 through 1945 because of World

War II. To help with the war effort, turkey and cattle were raised on
Augusta National’s grounds.
• In the fall of 1977, an 83-year old Roberts, in failing health, walks to a slope
next to Ike’s Pond and ends his own life with a single pistol shot to the
temple.
• Guess who was the only president to have been a club member. This should
be easy – Dwight Eisenhower.
• Commentators must refer to fans as patrons, spectators always as the
gallery, and sand traps only as bunkers.
• Presenting the green jacket to the winner did not start until 1949 when
Sam Snead won, but the signature apparel began in 1937 with all members
donning the shamrock blazer to make it easy for patrons to identify
members of the club should they need assistance.
• Sports Illustrated writer and jazz music buff Herbert Warren Wind named
holes 11 through 13 “Amen Corner” borrowing the phrase from an old
recording called “Shouting at Amen Corner.”
• Find a member who will take you out to play here, and it will cost you only
a $40 tariff for guest fees.
• On the very last day before the course closes in late May Augusta
National’s caddies play free.
And some of the incredible excitement that makes The Masters memorable may
never have happened if the nines hadn’t been switched after the inaugural year. Yes
indeed, no other major sport has an event like The Masters. It is like no other.

2 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM