The 2018 Masters Tournament just finished with Patrick Reed, an American coming out on top as the winner. With so much buzz around this event, what should we know about it? It is one of four major championships in professional golf and is held every year in Augusta, Georgia. It is rife with history and traditions.
History
Bobby Jones, an amateur golfer joined forces with an investment banker, Clifford Roberts to buy the former Fruitland Nursery. Together with landscapers and architect Alister MacKenzie, they built The Augusta National Golf Club. The course is known as one of the most challenging courses in the nation. The first official rounds were played in January of 1933. The first Masters, called the “Augusta National Invitation Tournament” until 1939, was played in March 1934 by sixty professional and twelve amateur golfers.
The Dinner
The Champions’ Dinner is one of the great traditions of the Masters. It is held the Tuesday evening before Thursday’s first round. The dinner tradition began in 1952 and was hosted by the defending champion, Ben Hogan. The intention was the honor past champions of the tournament. The defending champion, as host, selects the menu for the dinner. Frequently, Masters champions have served finely prepared cuisine by the Master’s chef from their home regions.
The Green Jacket
When people think of The Masters, they often think of the green jacket worn by the winner. The first green jacket was awarded in 1949, to Sam Snead. The lucky owner of the green jacket must return it to the clubhouse one year after his victory, although it does remain his personal property and is stored with other champions’ jackets in a specially designated cloakroom.
Famous Players
Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer are all famous for having done well at the Masters. Nicklaus has six championships, while both Woods and Palmer claim four. Phil Mickelson, Sam Sneed and Gary Player also have had great performances at the classic.
Whether you are an avid golf fan or not, one thing cannot be argued, the Masters is an event that is full of history and tradition and is enjoyed by many every year.