Ever since I was a young boy, I would get up early in Australia to watch the Masters tournament being played. Growing up watching Greg Norman play at Augusta National Golf Club, I was inspired to one day make the trek to Augusta, Georgia, to actually watch the Masters being played. Turning 40 this year seemed like a great birthday present, so off I went.
Founded by Bobby Jones and Cliff Roberts in 1932 and designed by Dr Alister MacKenzie, the original aim being a truly national club, as well as a winter retreat to play golf with his friends. The site was formerly an indigo plantation, with the current clubhouse being built originally in 1854. The course first held the Augusta National Invitation Tournament in 1934, although the name was changed to the Masters in 1939.
Flag of the Augusta National Golf Club
The Masters is one of the best run events I have ever been to and I would suggest all people running golf tournaments to visit, as there is much to be learned. But there are some odd things about how the tournament is run:
- Strict security searches upon entering, even through airport type scanners.
- No mobile phones during all practice and tournament days, although the course does provide free phones to use
- No bags larger than 10″ x 5″ x 5″, caused issues for my camera gear
- No running at any time on the course grounds
Breaching any rules can see you removed from the grounds and badges or tickets taken. This is a big issue for badge holders as this is for all four days of the Masters tournament.
During Masters week there are only two gates to enter for the general public. From gate 6A one of the first things you come across after entering is the magnificent practice facilities. A driving range, multiple greens with bunkers for chipping or sand play, as well as two practice greens, one in this vicinity and the other near the first tee. This is a good opportunity to view players warming up in the one area and get any photos (during practice days) or autographs.
Practice facilities second to none are located on the grounds
The only way to enter the course is by being a member, a guest of a member, an employee or attending The Masters, which is held in the first week of April every year. Attending the Masters is an expensive exercise, unless you are lucky enough to be on the patrons list, in which case you only have to pay the face value of the tickets. Many sell their badge to brokers, who on-sell to their own channels, including travel agents or people on the street seeking entry. This sees hugely inflated prices. On average the entry for a tournament day is anywhere from $600 and above per day. Practice days see tickets rise in price from $50 to $400 – $600.
There are huge benefits to business during this period. Hotel prices rise to around $400/night. Families rent their houses out for thousands of dollars. Restaurants are packed on a nightly basis. There is a lot of money in the town during Masters week. The rest of the time not much happens. Augusta National Golf Club itself is in an industrial type area, close to the freeway.
The much sought after Practice Day tickets and Masters Badge – wish I could have only payed the face value
Some of the brokers who buy and sell badges/tickets are located along Washington Road, patiently waiting for any transaction. Due to the fact that the only way to obtain tickets if you are not on the patron list is through a broker, prices can fluctuate dramatically. In 1997 this was extremely evident and had a tragic consequence. A broker was caught out when a company he was partnering with had oversold packages to the Masters. The broker, Allan Caldwell III, was desperately trying to acquire badges from friends who had promised to sell, only to find they had sold to higher bidders. Facing a debt in excess of $400K, the loss of his house and business, he committed suicide.
Ticket brokers leading up to Augusta National Golf Club
The course has ten cabins built for members and their guests. The two most famous are the Butler cabin, where the green jacket presentation takes place and the Eisenhower cabin, built for President Dwight Eisenhower in 1953. This was designed by the Secret Service to ensure the safety of the US President. The President made 45 visits to the club, along with the security detail. The other famous building is Butler cabin, built in 1964, where the CBS have a studio. This is used for the green jacket presentation to the winner of the years tournament.
Butler cabin? No this is Eisenhower Cabin
Even for the non-golfer, the course is a great place to visit. The gardens throughout the course are great viewing. There are many variety of plants and trees throughout the course, particularly around Amen corner (azaleas galore) as well as the 16th hole. If it wasn’t for the 40,000 other people around you could quite easily sit down and enjoy a relaxing picnic in tranquil settings. It’s just a pity that this isn’t possible unless you were a member of the club. I must admit that the course looks great on TV, but actually seeing the images for yourself is breathtaking.
Flowers are abundant throughout the course, creating magnificent scenery
There a many things I love about the Masters tournament. This is the only Major held at the same course every year, so there are no surprises, bar the action on the course which is unpredictable. The Par 3 competition on Wednesday afternoon, a great opportunity to see some of the greats back on the course as well as the opportunity for photos and autographs. Having the ability to place a seat, whether purchased at the venue or taken in, around almost any of the greens or tee areas, walk to other parts of the course and come back to find your seat untouched. This give the added benefit of ensuring more spectators can actually see what is going on, as those standing are behind.
Results of the 2011 par 3 competition
The fact that the Masters has contributed greatly to golf as a viewing platform. Many innovations were started at the tournament then also used for TV and other golf matches. This includes simple things like using green rope holding back spectators to the introduction of the scoring system as we know if for professional golf matches. The Masters introduced the system of showing red for scores under par and black for even or above par. Hopefully the event can contribute much more into the future.
Tradition of skimming the ball on the 16th pond to the green
Lastly the food and beverages are at 1970 prices and generally healthier options. No fries to be seen anywhere. I must admit that I was not overly keen on the Pimento sandwich I had heard about before attending, but the BBQ sandwich certainly made up for it. Beverages are also great, $3 for a beer is just as good as my local club. Every drink, bar water, is sold in a plastic Masters logo cup, which were popular items for souvenirs. In fact a lugged a dozen all around the US (as well as my logo chair) during the rest of my journey. Just don’t start making a beer cup snake with your buddies or you will be quickly ejected.
Feeling hungry – food is fantastically priced at the Masters and fairly healthy
After buying your food, why not stop at the Masters emblazoned tables. Everything within the course bears the Masters logo. Tables, bottles of water, chips, you name it you couldn’t escape the logo. The only thing better would be eating at the Champions Dinner.
What better way to eat than at your official Augusta table
The course if full of sites to see, the previously mentioned cabins, the clubhouse, founders circle which has a garden with flowers in the shape of the Masters emblem, magnolia lane (the main entrance to the club for members) and various monuments dedicated to some of the greats to the game, such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.
Jack Nicklaus plaque – dedicated to his play in the Masters
I couldn’t leave without at least one photo proving I had been to the course. The 12th would have to be one of the most photographed areas on the course, along with the 13th and 15th greens.
Happy snap at Amen corners 12th hole
So the other great thing was watching the players. Here are just a few who I got happy snaps of during the practice days and par 3 competition:
This is a must see event for any keen golfer. Even attending the practice day is well worth it. The price unfortunately will see quite a lot not being able to attend though, which I think is a shame, as it has to be one of the greatest courses in the World. Even though I will most likely never play the course, it was a great feeling just being able to walk and appreciate one of MacKenzies most spectacular designs. You will never fully appreciate the elevation changes, mounds and contours found on the greens of Augusta National Golf Club through TV.
I was also fortunate enough to play at Pebble Beach Golf Links on this trip. Just as memorable.
