Well folks, it's that time of the year when the greatest golf tournament begins. Today marks the first round of the Masters, the youngest major yet the most rich in tradition. Bobby Jones created this tournament in the 1930's to be the American version of the British Open. He wanted to emphasize angles and accuracy instead of power and length. Unfortunately that's changed a bit but the tradition remains.
The Masters tournament is the only major that's played at the same course every year. It's played at the legendary Augusta National in Augusta Georgia. The caddies still wear white jumpsuits, everything is wrapped in green and not labeled. The prices of consessions are comparable to 1950 prices. Nothing is labeled because not one thing will be more important than the tournament.
Another group of the best players in the world will vie for the coveted Green Jacket that the eventual winner of the Masters receives. The course has been lengthened over the past few years to about 7,400 yards, more than 400 yards than it was just 10 years ago. Some traditionalists will bark about Augusta changing it's landscape, however, with the technology boom in golf, they had no choice.
Either way, the tradition of this course will never waver due to its landscape. Ask anyone on tour which tournament they dream of winning and they'll say The Masters. Sit back, and enjoy the greatest golf tournament on the face of the earth.
It's time for The Masters!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Masters is Upon Us
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4 comments:
A more poetic interpretation could not have been written by Mr. Hooty Johnson himself! The Masters is a fun time for golf. Can the players beat the course? It is more tame than it used to be, but the true question this year will be if the course can remain FAIR. I had a big problem with the way they set up the course last year. The greens at Augusta were not meant to be that hard. The trouble is in front and behind, you must hit the green and hit it in the correct location. Augusta was build for accuracy as you stated, that being said the greens should be able to hold a 6 iron. Zach hit wedge into every par 5 because it would not hold. That is not how the course was supposed to be played. I agree length was needed, however keep the greens the same, FAST BUT RECEPTIVE. GO FREDDY MAKE THE CUT>
Last year Augusta fell victim to some serious dry weather and cold contitions which made the greens as slick as a pool table. (I got the south out of their drought). The greens weren't meant to be that hard and firm. You're right linckstir, you should be able to hold a 6 iron and that's exactly what Bobby Jones wanted. What he didn't intend was to have 3-5 inches of rough. They made the mistake of growing the rough out ONE time and that will be it. He never wanted conditions like that. You have to contend with enough shit than to worry about US Open rough. But thanks for the accolades on my writing. Hooty is a redneck and couldn't have said it better only because he doesn't have the command of a 6th grade vocabulary
And linckstir is talking about Freddie Couples, going for a record 24th consecutive cut at Augusta. He's currently tied with Gary Player for most consecutive cuts made at 23. Boom boom made the cut last year while barely being able to walk, and only played a couple (no pun intended) tournaments last year due to his back. That makes his last year even more impressive. Couples wasn't even in golf shape yet made the cut at Augusta. GO FREDDIE, MAKE THE CUT!!!!
I have to say that I agree with the fact that they need to leave Augusta National the way it was designed to be played. Even Jack said that growing out the rough was the biggest mistake they could have made. He said not only does it make a bad shot playable (without the rough, the ball would run into the trees) but it now makes Augusta like every other course. Thats the beauty that Augusta is losing. Its a strategic golf course. They say that a sign of great golf course design is when you have to make decisions on every hole and that each can be played a number of different ways. Kind of like the when they move the tees up and make a par 4 driveable. Do you go for it or not?..... bring trouble into play or be safe? Augusta is losing the roars it once had. Leave it alone, let the scoring drop a little. As a fan, we want to see players drive par 4's, make birdies and eagles, drain long chips and putts. Hell, as an avid golfer, I sure like to see the pro make the occasional quad too, but I don't want to see the entire field struggle all weekend!
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