The Masters Tournament held at Augusta National started March 22, 1934.
At the time Bobby Jones objected to this name and Augusta National
Invitation Tournament was used until 1939, which is when Jones finally
conceded to make the name The Masters Tournament official. Bobby Jones
and Clifford Roberts started this annual event to provide a service to
golf by hosting the event. Jones originally did not want to compete in
the tournament, but later changed his mind after persuasion from the
Club’s members. Jones best finish was 13th in 1934. In 1940 the Masters
was scheduled for the first full week in April of each year, and has
been a tradition since. Horton Smith was the first tournament winner in
1934, starting many great golf moments in history. In 1935 Gene Sarazen
hit the infamous “the shot heard ‘round the world” scoring a double
eagle on the par 5 15th hole, tying Craig Wood and forcing a playoff.
The following day Sarazen won the 36-hole playoff by 5 strokes. In 1942
Byron Nelson defeated Ben Hogan 69-70 in an 18-hole playoff. The
following three years (1943, 1944, & 1945) during the war were not
played. Instead Augusta National grounds were used to raise cattle and
turkeys to assist in the war effort. When playing of tournament
commenced in the 1950’s it included two victories for Ben Hogan and the
first of four for Arnold Palmer. Palmer’s 1958 win began the tradition
of Amen Corner. The same year sports writer Herbert Warren Wind wrote:
“On the afternoon before the start of the recent Masters golf
tournament, a wonderfully evocative ceremony took place at the farthest
reach of the Augusta National course —down in the Amen Corner where
Rae’s Creek intersects the 13th fairway near the tee, then parallels
the front edge of the green on the short 12th and finally swirls
alongside the 11th green.” In 1960 the Par 3 Contest was begun, and in
1965-1966 Jack Nicklaus became the first Masters Champion to defend his
title successfully. During the 1970’s both Bobby Jones and Clifford
Roberts passed away leaving behind a legacy that would be carried on.
In the 1980’s Spaniard Steve Ballesteros won twice and Tom Watson
captured his second title. In 1986 at age 46, Jack Nicklaus won his 6th
Green Jacket. The year 1997 started the Tiger Woods phenomenon. That
year Woods broke the Tournaments four-day scoring record that had stood
for 32 years. At the 2001 Masters, Woods won his 4th consecutive
professional major, and in 2002 became only the 3rd player to win
consecutive Masters titles. In 2003 Mike Weir becomes the first
Canadian to win a Major, and the first left-hander to take the Masters.
Phil Mickelson wins his first Masters in 2004 with a birdie on the 72nd
hole. In 2005 Woods became the 3rd person to win at least four
Tournaments. Again in 2006 Phil Mickelson captured his second win with
a two-stroke victory. In 2007 Tiger Woods found the water twice in Amen
Corner, damaging his chances for a third consecutive major title,
eventually losing to Zach Johnson. With the 2008 Masters Tournament
marking the 50th Anniversary of Arnold Palmers first Masters victory,
which player will be this years champion? Will Tiger avoid the water at
Amen Corner this year? This will be Woods pursuit of his 5th Masters
victory, can he pull it off with so many good competitors such as Phil
Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els, Zach Johnson, Geoff Ogilvy, Jim
Furyk, Angel Cabrera, Michael Campbell, Stewart Cink, Retief Goosen,
Trevor Immelman, and Mark O’Meara all aiming for the Green Jacket.
About Author: Tracy Patton and father Paul Carlson started EzyGolf a
discount golf store
after their own passion for the game. While not the greatest golfers,
they have a lot of fun trying to play and working together. Please
visit us at:
www.theezygolf.com.