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The first PGATour major tournament of the season,
the Masters, will tee off on Thursday, April 7 and
annually signals a start to the golf season in the
northern portion of the United States. The beauty
of the flowers against a background of the perfectly
manicured green grass at Bobby Jones’ dream
course never fails to impress and amaze golf fans.
Augusta National, the home of the Masters
Tournament, was designed by famed golf
architect Dr. Alister McKenzie in conjunction
with Grand Slam winner, Bobby Jones. The
course was co-founded by Jones and Clifford
Roberts with construction being completed in
1933. The first tournament, the Augusta National
Invitational, was won by Horton Smith in 1934.
For the first five years the tournament was known
as the Augusta National Invitational, because
Jones felt the Masters sounded to pretentious.
The tournament grew to be a major out of respect
for Jones and Augusta National’s habit of always
identifying the best players of the day.
The course was built on the site of a former
nursery and remnants of the exotic plants remain
today. Each hole is named after a flower that is
prevalent on the course, Azalea, Holly, Carolina
Cherry and Magnolia are just a few examples.
In 1940 the course only measured 6,800
yards, but to keep up with modern technology,
as well as, bigger and stronger athletes, it
has been stretched to over 7,400 yards. The
course is forgiving from the tee with many
open driving holes. The difficulty arises when
players assess their second shots. Approach
shots must find favorable locations on the
greens or face dire consequences.
Severe undulation and slick greens can leave
impossible putts or chips. Winds that swirl
through the majestic pines affect ball flight
and makes club choice even more difficult.
History tells us the tournament doesn’t begin
until the ‘Back 9’ on Sunday afternoon. Holes
11-13 comprise “Amen Corner,” so aptly
named by Herbert Warren Wind in a 1958
The Masters Tees
Off April 7
th
By:
Fred Altvater
NWO Golf Links