The Masters will be contested for the 80th time when play begins Thursday at the Augusta National Golf Club. It is golf’s most coveted major championship and it has a history and tradition unlike any sporting event in our nation.
It is our greatest event — here’s why:
Augusta National Golf Club: The setting is beautiful beyond description. The property was once a flower and plant nursery and it shows. Play begins at Tea Olive (No. 1). The difficult part starts at Camellia (No. 10), then White Dogwood (No. 11), Golden Bell (No. 12), Azalea (No. 13). It may be won at lost at Firethorn (15), Redbud (16), Nandina (17) and finally they make their way up the steep hill on Holly (18th).
Same Site, Every Year: The Masters is the only major contested at the same site. We know the holes by heart and the difficulties that lurk at so many corners of the golf course.
Amen Corner: What a great name for the stretch that starts with the second shot at the 11th, then goes to 12 and finishes with the tee shot at 13. Given the name by esteemed golf writer Herbert Warren Wind.
The Green Jacket: One of the most iconic trophies in golf. There is an actual Masters trophy, a detailed replica of the clubhouse in sterling silver. But it is the jacket that is most coveted. A Green Jacket won and worn by Horton Smith, found its way to an auction and sold for $682,000. Enough said.
The Champions Dinner: The Masters is the only event that treats its champions the way the greatest U.S. sports event should. They are invited back every year to play. As they get past the age where they cannot be a factor, they are quietly urged to become “non-participating” invitees. But they are still welcome at practice rounds and at the traditional Wednesday Par-Three contest. Each year, the winner comes back to host the Tuesday Champions Dinner and plan the menu.
The List Of Winners: Jack Nicklaus, six Green Jackets, Arnold Palmer, four, Tiger Woods, four. Jimmy Demaret, Sam Snead, Gary Player, Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson have each won three times. Other winners include the greatest names — Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. The list is Who’s Who of the greats. Very few fluke winners.
Treatment Of The Patrons: For this reason alone, The Masters may be the WORLD’S best sporting event. It is the only one that does not rip off the customers. A beer is $3. The iconic Pimento Cheese sandwich is $1.50. The Chicken Filet sandwich was invented at Augusta National, regardless of what any fast-food place claims. The sandwich is $3. The most expensive item is an imported beer. Those are $4. The Patrons pay $425 for their badges for the week. The gift shop is huge and The Masters only marks its items up 60% compared to 150-200% at most big events. The USGA, the PGA of America and the Royal and Ancient are all greedy pigs who gouge those who attend their majors.
CBS Television: You saw how Fox slaughtered last year’s U.S. Open. And who wants Johnny Miller telling us how he almost won the Masters? Fact is CBS does it right. The Masters does not have a long-term contract with the network. It’s a year-to-year deal and The Masters doesn’t gouge CBS. It’s a break-even deal for Augusta National. They make money off the international rights. The Masters comes with very limited commercials, and that alone makes it one of the most-watched events in sports.
The Back Nine On Sunday: The tournament starts on the back nine on Sunday afternoon. Just think back to Jack Nicklaus and his Win For The Ages in 1986. He went eagle-birdie-birdie at 15, 16 and 17 to win his sixth title at age 46. This year marks the 30th anniversary of that amazing day.
A Rite Of Spring: The Masters is the harbinger of the golf season for the northern part of the United States. It gets the blood flowing in the snow-bound masses and creates excitement for the start of a new season.
Butler Cabin: The best setting for the donning of the Green Jacket ceremony.
The Amateurs: A tribute to the gentleman who brought sportsmanship to sports — Bobby Jones. He was the founder of Augusta National and the driving force behind this storied event. The world’s best amateurs are invited to play. It is a small elite group, headed by the 2015 U.S. Amateur Champion — Bryson DeChambeau.
The list could on and on, just as this great event has endured.
It is, as Jim Nance will tell us this week:
A Tradition Unlike Any Other.
