The Masters Golf Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in the world of golf.
Here are 19 facts about the Masters and Augusta National that you probably didn’t know:
1. The Masters Is The Youngest Of The Four Majors
Established in 1934, the Masters is the youngest among the four major golf championships, which also include the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the PGA Championship.
2. The Masters Is The Only Major Held At The Same Course Every Year
Unlike other major championships, the Masters takes place at the same venue every year: the stunning Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
3. The Masters Was Initially Called The Augusta National Invitation Tournament
The name “Masters Tournament” was officially adopted in 1939, five years after its inception.
4. The Winner Didn’t Receive A Green Jacket Until 1949
The now-iconic Green Jacket was introduced in 1937 to members only as a symbol of membership at Augusta National.
The tradition of awarding the Green Jacket to the tournament winner started in 1949.
5. The Course Record is 63, And Has Only Been Done Twice
The lowest round ever recorded at the Masters is 63, a feat accomplished by only two golfers: Nick Price in 1986 and Greg Norman in 1996.
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6. During Tuesday Practice Rounds, Players Skip Balls Across The Pond On The 16th
During the practice rounds, players often engage in a lighthearted tradition of attempting to skip their golf balls across the pond on the 16th hole, much to the delight of the crowd.
7. No Cell Phones Allowed At Augusta
The Masters famously maintains a strict policy against cell phones on the course. Spectators are required to leave their phones at home or in their cars to preserve the tournament’s old-fashioned atmosphere.
8. The Curse Of The Par-3 Contest
Held on the Wednesday before the tournament, the Par-3 Contest is a fun event featuring players, their families, and even celebrities.
The curse? No player has ever won both the Par-3 Contest and the Masters in the same year.
9. Caddies Wear White Jumpsuits
All caddies at the Masters are required to wear white jumpsuits, a tradition that dates back to the tournament’s early years.
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10. The Crow’s Nest Is Exclusively For Amateurs
The Crow’s Nest is a small, 30-square-foot room located above the Augusta National Clubhouse, where only amateur players are invited to stay during the tournament.
11. Arnold Palmer Was The First Player To Win 4 Green Jackets
Arnold Palmer was the first golfer to win four Green Jackets, achieving this feat in 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964.
12. The Masters Has Limited Commercial Interruptions
In an effort to preserve the tournament’s traditional atmosphere, the Masters has significantly fewer commercial interruptions compared to other major sports events. This allows for more continuous coverage and an uninterrupted viewing experience for fans.
13. The Course Designer Never Saw The Completed Course
Dr. Alister MacKenzie, a British golf course architect, designed Augusta National Golf Club along with Bobby Jones. However, MacKenzie passed away before the course was completed, never witnessing his masterpiece in person.
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14. The Course Was Once A Nursery
Before becoming a golf course, the land that now hosts Augusta National Golf Club was a commercial nursery named Fruitland Nurseries. Many of the holes are named after the trees and plants that once grew there.
15. The Course Was Used To Raise Cattle From 1943-1945
From 1943 to 1945, the Masters Tournament was not held due to World War II. Instead, the course was used to raise cattle and turkeys to aid in the war effort.
Can you imagine cows and turkeys roaming around the grounds of Augusta National?!
16. Augusta Didn’t Have A Black Member Until 1990
Augusta National Golf Club has a history of exclusivity, sexism, and racism. Ron Townsend became the first African-American member in 1990, following a controversy surrounding the club’s racial policies.
17. Augusta Had No Female Members Until 2012
Augusta National Golf Club did not admit its first female members, Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore, until 2012.
18. The First Live Television Broadcast Of The Masters Was In 1956
The Masters was first broadcast live on television in the United States in 1956, with limited coverage of the final four holes. Today, the event is broadcast globally, reaching millions of viewers.
19. There Is A Waiting List For Masters Tickets
Demand for tickets to the Masters is incredibly high, and the waiting list for tournament tickets has been closed since 2000. The only way to obtain tickets now is through a random selection process held each year or from secondary market sources.