who designed masters golf course

by Moses Swaniawski MD 4 min read

Who designed the Masters golf course in Augusta?

Apr 10, 2014 · Dr. Alister MacKenzie, a physician turned golf architect, was the brains behind Augusta National -- one of the most famous golf courses in the world, and host of the prestigious Masters tournament....

What is the Masters in golf?

Designed by Dr. Alister MacKenzie, Augusta National Golf Club was built in 76 days with a contoured landscape of plants, flowers, and trees from the original arboretum. Check’s In …

What was the original name of the Masters Tournament?

Apr 03, 2019 · Dr. Alister MacKenzie is synonymous with Augusta National. It’s his most famous golf course design for an obvious reason: The architect’s work is beamed to hundreds of millions of golf fans every...

How long did it take to build Augusta National Golf Course?

Jun 24, 2020 · From his U.S. base at Hobe Sound, Norman has designed top public-access courses in Florida that include the two brawny tracks at ChampionsGate Golf Resort near Orlando, the Great White course at Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami (Raymond Floyd, a past champion of the Masters and the U.S. Open, also tackled a much-needed renovation of Doral's famed …

When was the Masters held?

The Masters were first held in 1934 in an attempt to attract crowds and players. Roberts persuaded Jones, then retired, to return to play in the tournament. (Jones initially was against the name Masters .) In 1948, Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie were personally invited to Augusta by Roberts.

How many members does Augusta National Golf Club have?

Augusta National Golf Club has about 300 members at any given time. Membership is strictly by invitation: there is no application process. In 2004, USA Today published a list of all the current members. Membership is believed to cost between $100,000 and $300,000 and annual dues were estimated in 2020 to be less than $30,000 per year. Club members are sometimes referred to as "green jackets."

What is Augusta known for?

Augusta is renowned for its well-maintained impeccable appearance: pine needles are imported, bird sounds are played on inconspicuous speakers, and even the ponds were once dyed blue. The club is famed for its azaleas and dogwoods.

Who invented the green jacket?

The idea of the green jacket originated with club co-founder Clifford Roberts.

What is the Amen Corner?

The second shot at the 11th, all of the 12th, and the first two shots at the 13th hole at Augusta are nicknamed "Amen Corner". This term was first used in print by author Herbert Warren Wind in his April 21, 1958, Sports Illustrated article about the Masters that year. In a Golf Digest article in April 1984, 26 years later, Wind told about its origin. He said he wanted a catchy phrase like baseball's " hot-corner " or American football's " coffin-corner " to explain where some of the most exciting golf had taken place (the Palmer-Venturi rules issue at twelve, over an embedded ball ruling and how it was handled, in particular). Thus "Amen Corner" was born. He said it came from the title of a jazz record he had heard in the mid-1930s by a group led by Chicago 's Mezz Mezzrow, Shouting in that Amen Corner.

When did Augusta National open?

When Augusta National originally opened for play in January 1933, the opening hole (now the 10th) was a relatively benign par 4 that played just in excess of 400 yards. From an elevated tee, the hole required little more than a short iron or wedge for the approach.

Is Augusta National Golf Club in the Masters?

Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament are also featured in the video game Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters, and has subsequently featured in later iterations of the game. This was the first time that the course has been officially used in the Tiger Woods franchise.

Who built the Masters Clubhouse?

The Masters' iconic clubhouse once had a date with a wrecking ball. In 1857, architecture historian Dennis Redmond built the dank Fruitland Manor house with wrap-around porches; thick concrete walls; 14 cramped rooms; and no electricity, plumbing or kitchen. In 1932, Jones planned a new $100,000 white-brick clubhouse with a neoclassical portico, columns, and four hundred lockers but low membership made it financially unfeasible.

Who planted the Magnolia tree in Augusta National Golf Course?

In the late 1850s, Belgian immigrant Louis Berckmans, owner of Fruitland Nurseries, planted Magnolia seeds which sprouted an essential landmark on these hallowed golf grounds. Today, 60 Magnolia trees line both sides of Augusta National’s Magnolia Lane, a 300-yard-long driveway entrance that leads to the Founder's Circle flagpole and the clubhouse. A severe storm eliminated one tree three days before the 2011 Masters.

What was the cabin on the 10th tee?

The cabin served briefly as a Situation Room for President Ronald Reagan who held secure communications with the Pentagon to plan the Grenada invasion. Not quite Normandy, but still military moxie.

What is the backdrop for the Masters?

The Masters’ dramatic golf moments are played against a backdrop of manicured plants, blooming azaleas and soaring pines. Each hole gets its name from the tree or shrub associated with the tee, fairway or green (“Juniper,” “Yellow Jasmine,” “Holly”). Roberts scrapped original plans that over emphasized bunkers and putting. Augusta evolves over time—challenging Masters golfers day-to-day. Here, shot makers have the advantage.

What is the Men Corner?

Coined by a Sports Illustrated writer (allegedly based on a jazz song), the world famous “Amen Corner” generally refers to a three-hole stretch (11, 12 and 13)—where poor shots (and title hopes) go to die. Larry Mize, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson sealed titles with magical shotmaking here. It’s played amid swirling wind, sun, shadows, bridges, Rae’s creek, huge bunkers, rolling greens, forsythias, azaleas, and a vociferous crowd.

Who won the first Masters?

The first winner of the tournament was Horton Smith, who beat out Craig Wood by one stroke to win the $1,500 final prize. The tournament was originally called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, and was later changed to the Masters in 1939.

Who was the golfer who won the 1954 Masters?

Sam Snead gets a handshake from Ben Hogan after winning the Masters during the 1954 Masters Tournament (Photo by Augusta National/Getty Images) In 1958, golf writer Herbert Warren Wind used the term “Amen Corner” to describe holes 11, 12, and 13, and the name stuck.

How long is the Masters?

The tournament lasts four days, but also includes three days of pre-tournament programming.

Who was the first 3 time winner of the Masters?

In 1950, Jimmy Demaret became the first 3 time Masters winner by beating out Jim Ferrier. Two years later, Dwight Eisenhower was elected president, and the members at Augusta National built Ike’s Cabin in 1953 near the tee on the 10th hole.

Who won the first par 3 golf tournament?

In 1960, the first par-3 contest was held at Augusta. Sam Snead won the event on the specially designed short course. In the same year, Arnold Palmer won his second Masters by birdying the last two holes.

Who was the first foreign player to win the Masters?

With the purse now reaching $20,000, South African Gary Player became the first foreign player to win the Masters in 1961. This win set off a series of unique first timers and records. Two years later, Jack Nicklaus became the youngest player to win the Masters at the age of 23 in the year 1963.

Who won the Masters in 89?

Englishman Nick Faldo won back-to-back Masters in ’89 and ’90, and the purse was then at $225,000. Over the next few years, stars like Woosnam, Couples, Langer, and Olazabal walked away victorious.

What golf courses did MacKenzie design?

Other famous golf courses designed by MacKenzie include Pasatiempo in California, Crystal Downs in Michigan and the Scarlet Course at Ohio State University. He is credited with designing more than 50 golf courses total. MacKenzie died in 1934, the year of the first Masters.

Where was MacKenzie born?

MacKenzie was born in England in 1870 and worked with one of the early giants of course design, Harry Colt, on golf courses in Great Britain before emigrating to the U.S. in the early 1920s. Augusta is one-third of MacKenzie's trifecta of masterpieces, the other two being Cypress Point Golf Club in California and Royal Melbourne Golf Club ...

Who is Brent Kelley?

Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. our editorial process. Brent Kelley. Updated August 08, 2019. Bobby Jones selected and hired Alister MacKenzie as the golf course architect for Augusta National Golf Club, and Jones and MacKenzie collaborated on ...

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Overview

Augusta National Golf Club, sometimes referred to as Augusta or the National, is a golf club in Augusta, Georgia, United States. Unlike most private clubs which operate as non-profits, Augusta National is a for-profit corporation, and it does not disclose its income, holdings, membership list, or ticket sales.
Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the course was designed by Jon…

History

Augusta National was founded in 1932 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts on the 365-acre site of a former nursery/antebellum plantation called Fruitland (later Fruitlands).[1] Jones sought to create a world-class winter golf course in his native state of Georgia. During the first decade of the club's existence, membership was low and finances were short due to the Great Depressionand the relatively remote location of Augusta, forcing the duo to scrap future plans for a "ladies' …

Facilities and grounds

Augusta is renowned for its well-maintained impeccable appearance: pine needles are imported, bird sounds are played on inconspicuous speakers, and even the ponds were once dyed blue. The club is famed for its azaleas and dogwoods.
Rules and policies imposed on employees, club members, and visitors (referre…

Membership

Augusta National Golf Club has about 300 members at any given time. Membership is strictly by invitation: there is no application process. In 2004, USA Today published a list of all the current members. Membership is believed to cost between $100,000 and $300,000 and annual dues were estimated in 2020 to be less than $30,000 per year. Club members are sometimes referred to as "green jackets."

Green jacket

Every member of Augusta National receives a green sport coatwith the club's logo on the left breast. Members are required to wear them during the tournament, and the jackets are not allowed to be removed from the grounds. The idea of the green jacket originated with club co-founder Clifford Roberts. Many believe it is because he wanted patrons visiting during the tournament to be able to readily identify members. Since Sam Snead's victory in 1949, the winne…

Caddies

Augusta National employs a staff of caddies to assist members, guests, and professionals. Augusta's caddie staff wears trademark white jumpsuits year-round.
Before 1983, staff caddies were assigned to players at the Masters. All four majors and some tour events required the use of the host club's caddies well into the 1970s — the U.S. Open had this policy through 1975 — but by 1980, only the Masters and the Western Open near Chicagoretained t…

Appearances in video games

Augusta National Golf Club is featured in the Japan-exclusive video game franchise Harukanaru Augusta, which started in 1989. The games were produced by T&E Soft. One of its last titles Masters '98: Haruka Naru Augusta was released for the Nintendo 64.
Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament are also featured in the video game Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters, and has subsequently featured in later iterations of the game…

Further reading

• Roberts, Clifford (1976). The Story of the Augusta National Golf Club. Garden City, New York: Doubleday. ISBN 9780385115438. OCLC 1992063.
• Andrisani, John, ed. (2007). Golf Heaven: Insiders Remember Their First Trip to Augusta National Golf Club. New York: Thunder's Mouth Press. ISBN 9781560257882. OCLC 84741355.