Traditions of the Masters Tournament

  By John Retzer

The Masters, held each year at the Augusta National Golf Club, is one of the most tradition bound of sporting events. Dating back to 1934, it originally was called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. The name was changed to "The Masters" five years later -- in spite of protests by Bobby Jones.

The Course

Unlike the other Majors, The Masters is held on the same course every year -- Augusta National, the creation of the legendary Bobby Jones.

Following his playing career, Jones began thinking about constructing a golf course. He was both looking for a place where he could play without being mobbed, and for the opportunity to realize his vision of the ultimate golf experience.

In 1931, he found an available plot of land in Augusta, Georgia. He was immediately taken by the possibilities of the former tree nursery, and hired the game's greatest architect, Dr. Alister Mackenzie, to help him with the design. Together, the two set out to design a course that could be enjoyed by anyone -- regardless of skill level -- and where on each shot, players would be faced by a multitude of decisions.

The club opened in 1933. One year later, the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament was held.

The Green Jacket

Each year, the winner of the Master's Tournament is awarded a Green Jacket to commemorate his victory.

Members of the private club have been wearing green jackets to the tournament since 1937. (Although the original jackets were deemed too hot to wear.) Members purchased their jackets from the Brooks Uniform Company in New York.

The first Green Jacket awarded to a player given to Sam Sneed in 1949. It signified his membership -- for a year -- in the ultra-exclusive Augusta National Golf Club.

Master's winners must return the jacket to Augusta the following year, where they are stored and made available to the players when they visit. Some past winners, such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer have become actual members of the club and presumably are allowed to have permanent possession of their jackets.

Since 1954, the club has awarded crystal for various achievements, such as low round, holes-in-one and eagles. Jack Nicklaus holds a record 61 pieces of Masters' crystal.

The Champions Dinner

Officially known as the Masters Club, the tradition of the Master’s Champions dinner was instituted in 1952 by Ben Hogan.

Each year since then, the previous Master’s tournament winner has hosted a dinner for the past champions. The event usually is held on the Tuesday prior to the tournament. The winner chooses the menu, and pays for the meal.

The menu has been interesting. In 1988, Tiger Woods chose cheeseburgers and milkshakes. Sandy Lyle, on the other hand, had haggis.

Honorary Starters

The first balls off the tee at the Masters are hit by "honorary starters," a tradition which began in 1963. The first honorary starters were Jock Hutchison and Fred McLeod -- two men with ties to Augusta National.

Hutchison won two Major Championships in his golfing career -- the 1920 PGA and the 1921 Open Championship. He also was the winner of the inaugural Senior PGA Championship (1937), which was held at Augusta; he won that event again in 1947. he started until 1973.

McLeod was a founding member of the Senior PGA, who played in the first four Masters. McLeod started until 1976.

Gene Sarazen performed the duties from 1981 until he passed away in 1999. Byron Nelson served during the same period. Sam Snead served from 1984 to 2002.

There has not been an honorary starter since Sneed's death. Augusta is rumored to be waiting until Arnold Palmer makes himself available.

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

What hot dogs are to baseball, the Pimento Cheese sandwich is to the Masters' at Augusta. There are eight types of sandwiches sold at the Master's but the Pimento Cheese is the one to get. Although the exact recipe is a secret akin to the secret formula for Coke, it's made of pimento cheese and many on white bread.

Lifetime Exemptions for Winners

Bobby Jones thought of the Masters as a gathering of his friends, and so extended a lifetime exemption to the tournament to past winners. Most have stopped playing when they felt that they no longer were competitive. However, others have continued to play even though they can no longer really play. In 2002, Master's Chairman Hootie Johnson sent out letters to past champions, asking them to reconsider their participation. That move started a firestorm of controversy, and resulted in Johnson rescinding his request. Past players are only allowed to start if they intend to play at least 36 holes.

The Crow's Nest

The Crow's Nest is the 1200 square foot room in the clubhouse cupola which is made available for the amateur players in the Tournament. The room is divided into four cubicles -- three with single beds, and one with a double. There also is a sitting area. The amateurs eat in the clubhouse for the week.

Azaleas and Magnolia Lane

August National sits on the site of a former tree nursery, and is festooned with azaleas, magnolias, and an amazing variety of other trees. Azaleas bloom in that part of the country at about the same time as the tournament is held.

Magnolia Lane is the 330 yard road that leads to the clubhouse, which is lined by 61 ancient Magnolia trees.

The Butler Cabin and the Eisenhower Cabin

The Butler Cabin is used by CBS broadcast personnel for interviews and the presentation of the Green Jacket. It was first used in 1965.

The Eisenhower Cabin was built in 1953 for the use of President Eisenhower, who so liked the club that he visited 45 times -- twenty nine while in office. He had become a member in 1948. The cabin apparently is US Secret Service certified.

There are a total of ten cabins on the grounds -- although the term "cabin" is only loosely applied, since they are much better appointed than the average.

The Caddies

Until 1983, players were required to use caddies provided by the club. Since then, they have been allowed to bring their own bag carriers -- but they still must dress in the traditional August caddy uniform: white jumpsuits and green hats. Several Augusta caddies have become minor celebrities, especially "Iron Man" Avery, who caddied for all of Palmer's four Masters' victories.

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