|
Augusta National Golf Club
Architect: Bobby Jones / Alister MacKenzie Year: 1930 2604 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30904 Phone: (706) 667-6000 Course Access: Private https://www.masters.com |
Augusta NAtional Golf Club
Origins and Founding Vision (1920s–1930s)
The story of Augusta National begins with Bobby Jones, the greatest amateur golfer of his era, who won the Grand Slam (U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, British Open, and British Amateur) in 1930 before retiring from competitive golf at age 28. Seeking a new challenge, Jones envisioned a private golf retreat in the American South—a course that combined beauty, strategy, and a nod to the classic links he admired, particularly St. Andrews.
In 1931, Jones partnered with Clifford Roberts, a wealthy New York investment banker and golf enthusiast he’d met in 1926. Roberts, a meticulous organizer with a knack for promotion, became the financial and operational backbone of the project. Together, they scouted locations, settling on a 365-acre parcel in Augusta, Georgia—a former indigo plantation turned nursery called Fruitland Nurseries, owned by the Berckmans family since 1857. The site’s rolling terrain, mature trees, and flowering shrubs (magnolias, azaleas, and dogwoods) captivated Jones, who declared, “It’s as if this land was waiting all these years for someone to come along and lay a golf course on it.”
Purchased for $70,000 in 1931—a bargain amid the Great Depression—the property offered natural beauty and a mild climate ideal for winter golf, appealing to Jones’s East Coast network. Roberts secured funding from wealthy friends, including a syndicate of New York investors, despite the economic downturn.
Design and Construction (1931–1934)
Jones enlisted Alister MacKenzie, a Scottish physician-turned-architect renowned for Cypress Point and his work on Royal Melbourne, to design the course. MacKenzie, nearing the end of his career, shared Jones’s admiration for St. Andrews’ strategic principles—wide fairways, natural contours, and greens that rewarded bold play. The duo collaborated closely, with Jones contributing hole-specific ideas inspired by his global golfing experiences (e.g., the 4th hole echoing Prestwick’s “Cardinal,” the 12th reflecting St. Andrews’ “Eden”).
Construction began in 1931, overseen by MacKenzie and local contractor Frank Maddox, using the nursery’s existing landscape—creeks, pines, and blooming flora—as a canvas. MacKenzie’s design featured minimal bunkering (originally 22, far fewer than contemporary courses), generous fairways, and massive, undulating greens averaging 6,500 square feet. The layout, a par-72 stretching 6,800 yards from the back tees, was completed by late 1932, though financial woes delayed the clubhouse.
The course opened informally on January 13, 1933, named Augusta National Golf Club to reflect its ambition as a national gathering place for golfers. Membership was limited to 100, with an initiation fee of $350 and annual dues of $60—steep for the Depression era. Roberts envisioned a self-sustaining retreat, but early years were lean, with fewer than 50 members by 1934.
Early Years and the Masters Tournament (1934–1940s)
To generate revenue and prestige, Roberts proposed an annual tournament. Initially dubbed the “Augusta National Invitation Tournament,” it launched on March 22, 1934, with Horton Smith winning the inaugural event (score: 284, four under par). Jones played competitively, finishing 13th, but the event struggled to draw crowds or media attention. In 1939, at sportswriter Grantland Rice’s suggestion, it was renamed “The Masters,” a title Jones initially resisted but eventually embraced.
The Masters grew slowly. World War II forced a suspension from 1943 to 1945, during which the club raised cattle and turkeys to support the war effort and offset costs. Post-war, the tournament gained traction, boosted by radio broadcasts and Jones’s mystique. The course’s beauty—magnolia-lined drives and blooming azaleas—began captivating audiences, though its reputation as a player’s course solidified with Ben Hogan’s 1953 record of 14-under 274.
Evolution of the Course (1940s–1960s)
MacKenzie died in 1934, leaving Augusta National’s evolution to others. Jones and Roberts oversaw early tweaks, but significant changes came later:
Cultural Milestones and Controversy (1960s–1990s)
Augusta National became a cultural touchstone via television. CBS began broadcasting in 1956, with Jim Nantz later narrating its “tradition unlike any other.” The 1968 Masters, won by Roberto De Vicenzo (though marred by a scorecard error gifting Bob Goalby the title), showcased drama that hooked viewers. Jack Nicklaus’s six victories (1963–1986) and Tiger Woods’s 1997 rout (18-under 270 at age 21) cemented its legend.
Yet the club faced scrutiny. Its all-male membership, a holdover from its private roots, drew feminist protests in the 1990s. Racial exclusion persisted until 1990, when Ron Townsend became the first Black member, spurred by pressure after the PGA Championship’s Shoal Creek controversy. Women were admitted in 2012, with Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore breaking the gender barrier.
Modern Era and Course Refinements (2000s–2025)
The 21st century saw Augusta adapt to booming distances. From 2001 to 2006, under chairman Hootie Johnson, the course stretched to 7,445 yards, adding trees (e.g., “Tiger-proofing” the 11th) and rough—departures from MacKenzie’s open ethos criticized by purists. Architects like Tom Fazio refined hazards, notably deepening the 12th’s bunkers and lengthening the 13th (now 545 yards) in 2023.
Off-course, Augusta National expanded. It acquired adjacent land, razing homes to widen Magnolia Lane and build patron facilities. The 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur and 2021 Drive, Chip & Putt Championship broadened its reach, while the 2020 Masters, delayed to November due to COVID-19, showcased a muted, azalea-free spectacle won by Dustin Johnson (20-under 268).
As of March 22, 2025, Augusta National remains a fortress of tradition. The 2024 Masters, won by Scottie Scheffler, reaffirmed its allure, with renovations—like a restored 15th fairway bunker—balancing history and playability. Membership hovers around 300, with dues a closely guarded secret (estimated at $40,000 annually).
Facilities and Legacy
The 1934 clubhouse, built atop the Berckmans’ manor, anchors the property, joined by cabins for members and guests (e.g., the Eisenhower Cabin). Amenities include Butler Cabin (for broadcasts), a par-3 course (opened 1958), and vast practice facilities. The club’s green jacket, awarded since 1949, symbolizes its mystique.
The story of Augusta National begins with Bobby Jones, the greatest amateur golfer of his era, who won the Grand Slam (U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, British Open, and British Amateur) in 1930 before retiring from competitive golf at age 28. Seeking a new challenge, Jones envisioned a private golf retreat in the American South—a course that combined beauty, strategy, and a nod to the classic links he admired, particularly St. Andrews.
In 1931, Jones partnered with Clifford Roberts, a wealthy New York investment banker and golf enthusiast he’d met in 1926. Roberts, a meticulous organizer with a knack for promotion, became the financial and operational backbone of the project. Together, they scouted locations, settling on a 365-acre parcel in Augusta, Georgia—a former indigo plantation turned nursery called Fruitland Nurseries, owned by the Berckmans family since 1857. The site’s rolling terrain, mature trees, and flowering shrubs (magnolias, azaleas, and dogwoods) captivated Jones, who declared, “It’s as if this land was waiting all these years for someone to come along and lay a golf course on it.”
Purchased for $70,000 in 1931—a bargain amid the Great Depression—the property offered natural beauty and a mild climate ideal for winter golf, appealing to Jones’s East Coast network. Roberts secured funding from wealthy friends, including a syndicate of New York investors, despite the economic downturn.
Design and Construction (1931–1934)
Jones enlisted Alister MacKenzie, a Scottish physician-turned-architect renowned for Cypress Point and his work on Royal Melbourne, to design the course. MacKenzie, nearing the end of his career, shared Jones’s admiration for St. Andrews’ strategic principles—wide fairways, natural contours, and greens that rewarded bold play. The duo collaborated closely, with Jones contributing hole-specific ideas inspired by his global golfing experiences (e.g., the 4th hole echoing Prestwick’s “Cardinal,” the 12th reflecting St. Andrews’ “Eden”).
Construction began in 1931, overseen by MacKenzie and local contractor Frank Maddox, using the nursery’s existing landscape—creeks, pines, and blooming flora—as a canvas. MacKenzie’s design featured minimal bunkering (originally 22, far fewer than contemporary courses), generous fairways, and massive, undulating greens averaging 6,500 square feet. The layout, a par-72 stretching 6,800 yards from the back tees, was completed by late 1932, though financial woes delayed the clubhouse.
The course opened informally on January 13, 1933, named Augusta National Golf Club to reflect its ambition as a national gathering place for golfers. Membership was limited to 100, with an initiation fee of $350 and annual dues of $60—steep for the Depression era. Roberts envisioned a self-sustaining retreat, but early years were lean, with fewer than 50 members by 1934.
Early Years and the Masters Tournament (1934–1940s)
To generate revenue and prestige, Roberts proposed an annual tournament. Initially dubbed the “Augusta National Invitation Tournament,” it launched on March 22, 1934, with Horton Smith winning the inaugural event (score: 284, four under par). Jones played competitively, finishing 13th, but the event struggled to draw crowds or media attention. In 1939, at sportswriter Grantland Rice’s suggestion, it was renamed “The Masters,” a title Jones initially resisted but eventually embraced.
The Masters grew slowly. World War II forced a suspension from 1943 to 1945, during which the club raised cattle and turkeys to support the war effort and offset costs. Post-war, the tournament gained traction, boosted by radio broadcasts and Jones’s mystique. The course’s beauty—magnolia-lined drives and blooming azaleas—began captivating audiences, though its reputation as a player’s course solidified with Ben Hogan’s 1953 record of 14-under 274.
Evolution of the Course (1940s–1960s)
MacKenzie died in 1934, leaving Augusta National’s evolution to others. Jones and Roberts oversaw early tweaks, but significant changes came later:
- 1937: Holes 1 and 10 were swapped to improve flow, a move credited to architect Perry Maxwell, who also reshaped the 7th green.
- 1940s–1950s: Robert Trent Jones Sr. (no relation to Bobby) fortified the course, narrowing fairways and adding bunkers (e.g., the 11th’s greenside trap). The par-3 12th, “Golden Bell,” gained its Rae’s Creek bridge, named the Hogan Bridge in 1958.
- 1956: The par-3 16th’s bridge was dedicated as the Nelson Bridge after Byron Nelson’s 1937 heroics.
Cultural Milestones and Controversy (1960s–1990s)
Augusta National became a cultural touchstone via television. CBS began broadcasting in 1956, with Jim Nantz later narrating its “tradition unlike any other.” The 1968 Masters, won by Roberto De Vicenzo (though marred by a scorecard error gifting Bob Goalby the title), showcased drama that hooked viewers. Jack Nicklaus’s six victories (1963–1986) and Tiger Woods’s 1997 rout (18-under 270 at age 21) cemented its legend.
Yet the club faced scrutiny. Its all-male membership, a holdover from its private roots, drew feminist protests in the 1990s. Racial exclusion persisted until 1990, when Ron Townsend became the first Black member, spurred by pressure after the PGA Championship’s Shoal Creek controversy. Women were admitted in 2012, with Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore breaking the gender barrier.
Modern Era and Course Refinements (2000s–2025)
The 21st century saw Augusta adapt to booming distances. From 2001 to 2006, under chairman Hootie Johnson, the course stretched to 7,445 yards, adding trees (e.g., “Tiger-proofing” the 11th) and rough—departures from MacKenzie’s open ethos criticized by purists. Architects like Tom Fazio refined hazards, notably deepening the 12th’s bunkers and lengthening the 13th (now 545 yards) in 2023.
Off-course, Augusta National expanded. It acquired adjacent land, razing homes to widen Magnolia Lane and build patron facilities. The 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur and 2021 Drive, Chip & Putt Championship broadened its reach, while the 2020 Masters, delayed to November due to COVID-19, showcased a muted, azalea-free spectacle won by Dustin Johnson (20-under 268).
As of March 22, 2025, Augusta National remains a fortress of tradition. The 2024 Masters, won by Scottie Scheffler, reaffirmed its allure, with renovations—like a restored 15th fairway bunker—balancing history and playability. Membership hovers around 300, with dues a closely guarded secret (estimated at $40,000 annually).
Facilities and Legacy
The 1934 clubhouse, built atop the Berckmans’ manor, anchors the property, joined by cabins for members and guests (e.g., the Eisenhower Cabin). Amenities include Butler Cabin (for broadcasts), a par-3 course (opened 1958), and vast practice facilities. The club’s green jacket, awarded since 1949, symbolizes its mystique.