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Masters Golf Tournament

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The Masters Golf Tournament is one of four major professional golf championships, and is the first to take place every year. It is the only golf championships of the four that takes place in the same venue every year.

The Masters Golf Tournament was founded by amateur and pro-golfer Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts in 1934. They also designed Augusta National with architect Alister MacKenzie. One interesting fact about Augusta National is that each hole on the course is named after the individual flower it has become linked with.

Called the “Augusta National Invitation Tournament” until 1939, the purpose of the tournament was to provide a service to golf. The first tournament was held March 22, 1934, and current holes 10 through 18 were played as the first nine, and current holes 1 through 9 were played as the second nine. For the 1935 Masters Golf Tournament, the layout was reversed. Starting in 1934, the Masters Golf Tournament was scheduled the first full week in April.

The Masters Golf Tournament is a 90 player invitation only event. An invitation is issued on an automatic basis to players who meet published criteria and to the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Rankings. None of the current top players in the world miss out on the Masters Golf Tournament. Winners of the Masters Golf Tournament are automatically invited to the other three majors (US Open, British Open, and the PGA Championship) for the next five years, and secure a lifetime invitation to the Masters.

The Masters Golf Tournament is a 72 hole golf tournament, lasting four days. Due to the tournament’s small field, three players are placed in a group for the first 36 holes. After all the holes have been played, a cut is made. Players survive the Masters Golf Tournament cut, based on their lowest 44 scores plus ties and if they are within 10 strokes of the lowest 36 whole score, which is set by the leader.

To start off Masters Golf Tournament play, there is a honorary tee shot made at the first hole by some of golf’s legendary players. From 1984 until 2002, Sam Sneed, one of the greatest golfers of all time, had the honorary task. In 1999, Gene Sarazen joined him, and in 2001, Byron Nelson did the same.

Currently, during the Masters Golf Tournament, the players have an option of using a personal caddy or using one on staff at Augusta National. Before 1983, it was required that an Augusta National caddy be used during the Masters Golf Tournament.

The prizes won in the Masters Golf Tournament are nothing short of monumental. The Green Jacket, part of the cash prize awarded to the winner, is actually the official coat worn by members of Augusta National while on the grounds, and each Masters Golf Tournament winner joins the prestigious club. The color represents the greens of Augusta National. Other prizes are awarded are: The Gold Medal and having their names engraved on a silver Masters Golf Tournament trophy, which depicts the clubhouse. The trophy was introduced in 1961 and remains at Augusta National. In 1993, a sterling silver replica was presented to the winner of the Masters Golf Tournament, and that tradition continues today.