| The Masters, held each year at the Augusta National | | | | inaugural Senior PGA Championship (1937), which was |
| Golf Club, is one of the most tradition bound of | | | | held at Augusta; he won that event again in 1947. he |
| sporting events. Dating back to 1934, it originally was | | | | started until 1973. |
| called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. | | | | McLeod was a founding member of the Senior PGA, |
| The name was changed to "The Masters" five years | | | | who played in the first four Masters. McLeod started |
| later -- in spite of protests by Bobby Jones. | | | | until 1976. |
| The Course | | | | Gene Sarazen performed the duties from 1981 until |
| Unlike the other Majors, The Masters is held on the | | | | he passed away in 1999. Byron Nelson served during |
| same course every year -- Augusta National, the | | | | the same period. Sam Snead served from 1984 to |
| creation of the legendary Bobby Jones. | | | | 2002. |
| Following his playing career, Jones began thinking | | | | There has not been an honorary starter since |
| about constructing a golf course. He was both looking | | | | Sneed's death. Augusta is rumored to be waiting until |
| for a place where he could play without being | | | | Arnold Palmer makes himself available. |
| mobbed, and for the opportunity to realize his vision | | | | Pimento Cheese Sandwiches |
| of the ultimate golf experience. | | | | What hot dogs are to baseball, the Pimento Cheese |
| In 1931, he found an available plot of land in Augusta, | | | | sandwich is to the Masters' at Augusta. There are |
| Georgia. He was immediately taken by the possibilities | | | | eight types of sandwiches sold at the Master's but |
| of the former tree nursery, and hired the game's | | | | the Pimento Cheese is the one to get. Although the |
| greatest architect, Dr. Alister Mackenzie, to help him | | | | exact recipe is a secret akin to the secret formula |
| with the design. Together, the two set out to design | | | | for Coke, it's made of pimento cheese and many on |
| a course that could be enjoyed by anyone -- | | | | white bread. |
| regardless of skill level -- and where on each shot, | | | | Lifetime Exemptions for Winners |
| players would be faced by a multitude of decisions. | | | | Bobby Jones thought of the Masters as a gathering |
| The club opened in 1933. One year later, the first | | | | of his friends, and so extended a lifetime exemption |
| Augusta National Invitation Tournament was held. | | | | to the tournament to past winners. Most have |
| The Green Jacket | | | | stopped playing when they felt that they no longer |
| Each year, the winner of the Master's Tournament is | | | | were competitive. However, others have continued |
| awarded a Green Jacket to commemorate his | | | | to play even though they can no longer really play. In |
| victory. | | | | 2002, Master's Chairman Hootie Johnson sent out |
| Members of the private club have been wearing | | | | letters to past champions, asking them to reconsider |
| green jackets to the tournament since 1937. | | | | their participation. That move started a firestorm of |
| (Although the original jackets were deemed too hot | | | | controversy, and resulted in Johnson rescinding his |
| to wear.) Members purchased their jackets from the | | | | request. Past players are only allowed to start if they |
| Brooks Uniform Company in New York. | | | | intend to play at least 36 holes. |
| The first Green Jacket awarded to a player given to | | | | The Crow's Nest |
| Sam Sneed in 1949. It signified his membership -- for | | | | The Crow's Nest is the 1200 square foot room in the |
| a year -- in the ultra-exclusive Augusta National Golf | | | | clubhouse cupola which is made available for the |
| Club. | | | | amateur players in the Tournament. The room is |
| Master's winners must return the jacket to Augusta | | | | divided into four cubicles -- three with single beds, |
| the following year, where they are stored and made | | | | and one with a double. There also is a sitting area. |
| available to the players when they visit. Some past | | | | The amateurs eat in the clubhouse for the week. |
| winners, such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer | | | | Azaleas and Magnolia Lane |
| have become actual members of the club and | | | | August National sits on the site of a former tree |
| presumably are allowed to have permanent | | | | nursery, and is festooned with azaleas, magnolias, |
| possession of their jackets. | | | | and an amazing variety of other trees. Azaleas bloom |
| Since 1954, the club has awarded crystal for various | | | | in that part of the country at about the same time |
| achievements, such as low round, holes-in-one and | | | | as the tournament is held. |
| eagles. Jack Nicklaus holds a record 61 pieces of | | | | Magnolia Lane is the 330 yard road that leads to the |
| Masters' crystal. | | | | clubhouse, which is lined by 61 ancient Magnolia trees. |
| The Champions Dinner | | | | The Butler Cabin and the Eisenhower Cabin |
| Officially known as the Masters Club, the tradition of | | | | The Butler Cabin is used by CBS broadcast personnel |
| the Master's Champions dinner was instituted in 1952 | | | | for interviews and the presentation of the Green |
| by Ben Hogan. | | | | Jacket. It was first used in 1965. |
| Each year since then, the previous Master's | | | | The Eisenhower Cabin was built in 1953 for the use |
| tournament winner has hosted a dinner for the past | | | | of President Eisenhower, who so liked the club that |
| champions. The event usually is held on the Tuesday | | | | he visited 45 times -- twenty nine while in office. He |
| prior to the tournament. The winner chooses the | | | | had become a member in 1948. The cabin apparently |
| menu, and pays for the meal. | | | | is US Secret Service certified. |
| The menu has been interesting. In 1988, Tiger | | | | There are a total of ten cabins on the grounds -- |
| Woods chose cheeseburgers and milkshakes. Sandy | | | | although the term "cabin" is only loosely applied, since |
| Lyle, on the other hand, had haggis. | | | | they are much better appointed than the average. |
| Honorary Starters | | | | The Caddies |
| The first balls off the tee at the Masters are hit by | | | | Until 1983, players were required to use caddies |
| "honorary starters," a tradition which began in 1963. | | | | provided by the club. Since then, they have been |
| The first honorary starters were Jock Hutchison and | | | | allowed to bring their own bag carriers -- but they still |
| Fred McLeod -- two men with ties to Augusta | | | | must dress in the traditional August caddy uniform: |
| National. | | | | white jumpsuits and green hats. Several Augusta |
| Hutchison won two Major Championships in his golfing | | | | caddies have become minor celebrities, especially |
| career -- the 1920 PGA and the 1921 Open | | | | "Iron Man" Avery, who caddied for all of Palmer's |
| Championship. He also was the winner of the | | | | four Masters' victories. |