The Masters is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world. It is one of the four major championships in professional golf and is held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The tournament has a rich history of golf tradition that dates back to the early 1930s. Here is a brief overview of the history of the Masters.
The tournament was first played in 1934, and was then called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament. The tournament was the brainchild of Bobby Jones, a legendary amateur golfer and founder of Augusta National Golf Club. Jones wanted to create a tournament that would bring the world’s best golfers to Augusta to compete on his course.
The tournament was an immediate success, and quickly became one of the most prestigious events in golf. The tournament was renamed the Masters in 1939, and has been held annually ever since (with the exception of 1943-45, due to World War II).
One of the most iconic features of the Masters is the green jacket. The tradition of awarding a green jacket to the winner of the tournament dates back to 1949, when Sam Snead was the first player to receive the jacket. Since then, every winner of the Masters has received a green jacket, which they are allowed to keep for one year before returning it to the club.
Another notable tradition at the Masters is the Champions Dinner. This is a dinner held on the Tuesday before the tournament, and is exclusively for former winners of the Masters. The menu is chosen by the previous year's champion, and the dinner is considered to be one of the most exclusive events in golf.
Over the years, the Masters has been the site of many memorable moments in golf history. From Jack Nicklaus’ historic sixth victory in 1986, to Tiger Woods’ emotional comeback win in 2019, the tournament has produced some of the greatest moments in the sport.
In conclusion, the Masters is more than just a golf tournament – it is a celebration of golf tradition and history. From the green jacket to the Champions Dinner, the tournament has many traditions that have helped make it one of the most prestigious events in golf.