It’s something that golf fans look forward with anticipation to every year, the Masters Tournament. For me, in addition to being a major and one of the greatest tournaments in golf, the Masters signifies that, where I live, golf season is here if we’re lucky, or at worst right around the corner.
Since the Masters Tournament began 1934, it has been hosted at the private Augusta National Golf Club. It’s the only major played on the same course every year. Jon Rahm won this year’s tournament with a score of -12, 4 strokes better than runner-up finishers Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka, who both finished at -8. With the win, Jon returned to the number Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Phil Mickelson became the oldest player to finish in the top 5 of the Masters, firing a 65 for the lowest score of the final round.
I enjoyed watching the LIV Golf players in action that were invited to the tournament, especially the fine play of Phil and Brooks. I watched one round of the first LIV Golf tournament, and while I thought the format is innovative, I have not watched any since. I feel those that fund the organization allow persecution of my Christian brothers and sisters.
While being a private for-profit organization and not having to disclose financial information, Augusta National Inc. does a lot to grow the game of golf and invest in the Augusta, Georgia area. The Masters Tournament Foundation has co-founded the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, the Drive, Chip, and Putt Championship, the Latin America Amateur Championship, and has made significant monetary contributions to The First Tee. Augusta National Golf Club, with matching funds from its corporate sponsors, has donated millions into local Augusta communities. Make a difference in your community and volunteer at your local PGA Tour event!
The Masters Tournament is unique in so many ways. Like its catchphrase says, it is certainly “a tradition unlike any other”.
Past green jacket winners are invited to the Champions Dinner the Tuesday before the tournament, with the menu decided by the current defending champion. The annual Wednesday Par 3 Contest, with the field made up of current Masters participants and non-participating past champions, has become a family affair with family members caddying and even taking shots.
The most expensive item at the concession stand is white wine at $6. Beer follows at $5. There are no sandwiches on the menu over $3. Unless you win tickets in the ticket lottery, it’s going to cost you a lot of money to attend the Masters. It’s nice to know that once you get in you can eat and drink at extremely fair prices.
Finally, the enforcement of fan etiquette makes for an enjoyable viewing experience from home. I can only imagine how much more enjoyable it is in person. There is no running, cell phones, or idiocy allowed. Scream “mashed potatoes!” after a shot and promptly be shown the exit.
The Augusta National Golf Club course was built in 1932, when professional golfer Bobby Jones, along with his friend Clifford Roberts, a New York City investment dealer, purchased a 365-acre site. The site was a former nursery named Fruitland, which started in 1853, and grew peaches, other fruits, trees, and shrubs. Hence, all the holes at Augusta National are named after trees or shrubs. A few examples are the 1st hole “Tea Olive”, the 12th hole “Golden Bell”, and 18th hole “Holly”. Watch any of the coverage, you’ll hear the holes named in each fly through.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows our name, and we know his voice.
Let Jesus go before and lead you. Follow in his ways.