Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Golf Tournament
Augusta National Golf Club has been home to the Masters Golf Tournament since 1934.
Located in August, GA, the golf course, (formerly a Nursery) was founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. The course was designed by Dr. Alister Mackenzie who was specifically selected by Bobby Jones.
Construction of Augusta National began in 1931. Play on the course began in 1932, with an official grand opening in January 1933. The Masters Tournament (one of four major championships) has been held here since 1934. It is rivaled only by the Old Course at St. Andrews (and possibly Pebble Beach).
Augusta National Golf Club is a private club whose membership is small and around 300 members. You cannot apply to join the club but rather must be invited to join. Women can play the course but you must be male in order to join the club.
The course itself includes an 18-hole course and a 9-hole par 3 course. For the Masters Tournament, Augusta National plays a 7,435 yard-par 72. It has never been rated by the USGA so does not have course or slope rating. There are 100 acres of fairway and 40 acres of rough. Each hole is named after a flowering tree or shrub. There are 44 bunkers, six water hazards on holes 2, 11, 13, 15 and 16. Perennial ryegrass is used on the fairways, tees and rough. Bentgrass is used on the greens which is an average of 6,435 square feet.
The best known water features are on holes 11, 12 and 13 better known as Amen Corner. There are three bridges on the course, Hogan Bridge, Nelson Bridge and Sarazen Bridge. There are ten cabins located on the course property that are available to members and their guests. Two of the most famous are, the Eisenhower Cabin built to Secret Service specs in the early 50's for around ,000 and often referred to as the" Little White House". Also, the Butler Cabin, named after Thomas Butler was built in 1964 and is where CBS has hosted their broadcast of The Masters since 1965.
Tickets to see the Masters Tournament are some of the most sought after sports tickets in the world. Augusta has been said by many of the top pros to be one of the toughest courses on the PGA tour. To get tickets to see them hit the ball down the fairway can cost anywhere from 0 to ,000 but is a once in a life time experience to view the beauty and history of the most prestigious course in the world and the best golfers in the world.
The Masters Tournament should indeed be high on your Bucket list.
Phil Mickelson won last years 2010 Masters, finishing 16 under 272. It was Mickelson's third Masters coveted green jacket.
The dates for the 2011 Masters Tournament are April 7-10th
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