The history of Augusta National and The Masters

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There is no doubt that Augusta National Golf Club is one of the most prestigious golf courses in the world. The piece of property located in Augusta, Georgia, was purchased by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts in 1932 for $70,000. As of 2017, it is estimated that the property is now worth upwards of 189 million dollars. Bobby Jones was a pioneer in the sport of golf, and he was the first competitor to complete the career grand slam. Jones and Roberts were able to design an incredible golf course that would set the standard for professional golf in the future. 

The event was created for the “masters” of golf to compete for the title of the best golfer in the world. The champion is awarded the famous green jacket, which is the most prized possession on the professional level. Since 1934 there have been 83 tournaments played with 53 champions. Of the 53, Jack Nicklaus leads the way with six wins. Tiger Woods follows close behind Nicklaus with five wins of his own. 

Woods’ latest victory came in 2019 following his absence from the sport for a year. Despite Tiger’s troubles, there is no question that he has positively impacted the sport. His first win in 1997 came at the age of 21 years old, and he continued to win in 2001, 2002, and 2005.

The event is known for taking place during the first week of April each year. The only time that this has altered was in 2020, when it was pushed back to November, and its first two tournaments were held in March. The tournament has only been canceled due to WWll, when most sporting events were paused from 1943-45.

The drive into Augusta National consists of the famous drive down Magnolia Lane. The 330-yard driveway is lined with 61 beautiful Magnolia trees. Furthermore, each hole is named after a flower to honor the flower sanctuary that once stood on the grounds. The club has a limited number of members that, for the most part, are kept unknown to the public. There are some notable members, including football celebrities Peyton Manning, Lou Holtz, and Roger Goodell. 

Augusta National is very secluded from the public. This is shown by CBS during the event where the chairmen of Augusta own the rights to the script, specifically Jim Nantz’s famous line “A tradition unlike any other.” 

Most golf fans will never get the opportunity to play Augusta National, but everyone dreams of the chance. Employees are given one day of the year to bring guests to the course, and it is a full-day event that includes a fancy dinner at the end of the day. Besides that, one day, opportunities are extremely limited to visit the club. However, this is what keeps the unique traditions of Augusta National alive.