The Masters, held each year at the Augusta National Golf Club, is one of the sporting events with the longest tradition. It dates back to 1934 and was originally called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. The name was changed to “The Masters” five years later, despite protests from Bobby Jones.

The course

Unlike the other Majors, The Masters takes place on the same course every year: Augusta National, the brainchild of the legendary Bobby Jones.

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

In 1931, he found available land in Augusta, Georgia. He was immediately drawn to the possibilities of the old tree nursery and hired the best architect in the game, Dr. Alister Mackenzie, to help him with the design. Together, the two set out to design a course that anyone could enjoy, regardless of skill level, and where on every shot, players would be faced with a multitude of decisions.

The club opened in 1933. A year later, Augusta’s first National Invitation Tournament was held.

the green jacket

Each year, the winner of the Masters Tournament receives a Green Jacket to commemorate their victory.

Members of the private club have been wearing green jackets at 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 was presented to Sam Sneed in 1949. It signified his one-year membership at the ultra-exclusive Augusta National Golf Club.

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

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

The Champions Dinner

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

Since then, every year, the winner of the previous Master tournament has organized a dinner for the previous champions. The event usually takes place on the Tuesday before the tournament. The winner chooses the menu and pays for the food.

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

honorary holders

The first balls off the tee at the Masters are hit by “honorary starters,” a tradition that 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 golf career: the 1920 PGA and the 1921 Open Championship. He was also the winner of the inaugural PGA Senior Championship (1937), held in Augusta; he won that event again in 1947. he started until 1973.

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

Gene Sarazen served from 1981 until his death in 1999. Byron Nelson served during the same period. Sam Snead served from 1984 to 2002.

There has been no honorary incumbent since Sneed’s death. Rumor has it that Augusta is waiting until Arnold Palmer is available.

pimento cheese sandwiches

What hot dogs are to baseball, the bell pepper sandwich is to the Augusta Masters. 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 similar to Coca-Cola’s secret formula, it is made from pimento cheese and lots of it on white bread.

Lifetime exemptions for winners

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

the crow’s nest

The Crow’s Nest is the 1,200 square foot room in the dome of the clubhouse that is available to amateur players in the Tournament. The room is divided into four cubicles, three with single beds and one with a double bed. There is also a living room. Fans eat in the clubhouse during the week.

Azaleas and Magnolia Lane

August National sits on the site of a former tree nursery and is graced with azaleas, magnolias, and an incredible variety of other trees. Azaleas bloom in that part of the country around the same time the tournament is taking place.

Magnolia Lane is the 330-yard driveway that leads to the clubhouse, which is lined with 61 ancient magnolia trees.

The Butler’s Cabin and Eisenhower’s Cabin

The butler’s booth is used by the CBS broadcast staff for interviews and the introduction of Green Jacket. It was first used in 1965.

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

There are a total of ten cabins on the grounds, although the term “cabin” is loosely applied, as they are much better equipped than average.

the caddies

Until 1983, players were required to use club-provided caddies. Since then, they have been allowed to bring their own bag carriers, but must still dress in the traditional August caddy uniform: white overalls and green hats. Several Augusta caddies have become minor celebrities, most notably “Iron Man” Avery, who caddyed for all four of Palmer’s Masters wins.

For more information on the best of golf, visit http://www.golfblogger.com