Mark your calendars for April 11-14 golf fans, it’s time for the Masters! With spring comes the eagerly anticipated tee off of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Course. The Masters speaks to tradition and excellence, gathering the best in the sport to vie for the coveted prize—the illustrious green jacket. Let’s hit the greens and learn more about the storied Masters Tournament.
A Brief History of the Masters
The Masters is the first major tournament of the golf season, held annually in April in Augusta, Georgia. Founded by golfing legend Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts in 1934, the Masters is golf’s most prestigious major tournament and has witnessed some of the sport’s most iconic moments. The tournament’s invitation-only policy reinforces the reverence for Augusta’s lush fairways and challenging pins, welcoming a select field from all over the world. The Masters carries with it an aura of tradition, including the Champions Dinner, the Par 3 Contest, and the ceremonial tee shots.
Heart-Stopping Moments and the Unexpected
The Masters is synonymous with the unexpected. Unpredictable turns of the game have seen unfavored amateurs make the cut and witnessed some of golf’s most improbable victories played out on the 18th green. Weather and course conditions add to the excitement each year, influencing club choices and shot selections for even the most seasoned of golfers. Each player must bring their personal blend of skill and determination to the tees and greens of Augusta every year and then watch the rounds unfold.
Historical Masters Facts
The Masters didn’t officially become the Masters Tournament until 1939.
Sam Snead was the first Masters champion to receive a green jacket—now one of the most coveted icons in sport—in 1949. As he was playing in his first Masters in 1937, the sports coat itself debuted at the event when Augusta National Golf Club co-founder Clifford Roberts asked members to wear sport coats in a distinct shade of green so patrons could go to them for reliable information.
Called the “shot heard round the world” in golf lore, Gene Sarazen holed a 235-yard double eagle (or albatross) on the 15th hole of the 1935 Masters. He remains the only golfer to double eagle hole 15. He went on to win the tournament in a 36-hole playoff. In 1955, Augusta National built the Sarazen Bridge by the 15th green where it remains today. He’s still just one of four men to hole out on an Augusta par 5 in two strokes.
Amen Corner regularly plays a starring role in players’ fortunes—both triumphant and haunting. Named by writer and Yale alumnus Herbert Warren Wind, the three-hole masterpiece is often labeled the “most mysterious three-hole stretch in all of golf” and encompasses the par-4 11th hole, the par-3 12th, and the par-5 13th.
Along with the green jacket and prize money (and many other benefits), the Masters Champion gets to pick the menu at the Champions Dinner the following year—held the Tuesday before the tournament begins.
The Foundation of Tradition and Legacy
The Masters remains anchored in tradition, from the ceremonial tee shots by honorary starters to the $18 million prize purse. The very aura of the tournament fuels the undying spirit of golf enthusiasts and the lore of the tournament connects generations of golfers and viewers, united across continents.
Watch as the Masters Tees Off
The 2024 Masters Tournament promises to captivate audiences across the world as they all focus on Augusta National. We invite you to pull up a chair at your favorite Bout Time as the Masters gets underway and enjoy your own Champions dinner from our scratch-made menu.
