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A couple of years ago I was fortunate to attend the Masters Golf Tournament. It wasn't only one of my most unforgettable golf memories, but that same course that I'd spent years watching on TV had a far different look in person. My initial impression had been the contour of the course: the contours are a great deal steeper than they seem on television. For example, the fairway on the eighteenth hole is way steeper by a lot than the appearance we have come used to watching television. One more feeling was the dimensions of the driving area. That section was so tight that the players would drive a shot off the practice tee into a large net. As in contrast to the modern courses today, where you'll find immense land areas in which to work, Augusta National is an old golf course. When it was developed, golfers didn't whack the golf ball for the massive distances they are doing today, so they've outgrown the driving area. I watched Padraig Harrington at the driving range strike balls three-quarters the way up the enormous net. Augusta National gives the look of being what heaven should appear to be to the golfer, particularly as it is in full bloom in early April. It truly is more pristine and beautiful than what is captured on television. But they nevertheless keep the Southern welcome and charm, while the wealth with the club becomes pretty evident. They still were serving homemade sandwiches (for less than $3) and snacks that were so inexpensive for a happening like this I could hardly believe it. The tournament probably always has maintained its Southern charm; however the wealth has not always been at hand. The property had been an indigo plantation when it was purchased by a Belgian baron in 1857. The son, who was a horticulturist, imported plants and trees which turned the property into a nursery, which the land owes much of its splendor to this very day. The nursery ended operations in 1918. The great player Bobby Jones originated the idea of building a course on this empty section of real estate, and the course became finished in 1933. The club nearly went bankrupt in those depression years, and the course designer Alistair Mackenzie was paid just $2000 of the $10000 he was due. The very first competition was held March 22, 1934, with the entire purse for the twelve professionals taking part was $5000. To be able to gather this amount, the club would ask the members for donations, since the club and the tournament continued to lose money in those early years and through World War II. The post-war growth time finally produced some economic relief, and during the 1950s the tournament particularly and golf in general, helped to make this one of the golden eras of sports entertainment within the United States. CBS has televised the Masters each year ever since 1956. It has truly become one of the leading events in all of sports, and for one at this time living through cold winters; it is the event that really begins the golf time of year. Check out our website for more interesting and informative articles, such as helpful instruction on the easiest way to draw a golf ball, as well as one that will help you with your chipping game. Jim O'Connell is an avid golfer and writer now living in Chicago.
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Augusta National, the Masters, famous golf tournaments,
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