Continued from page 1
Jones' vision was for a course that would utilize
natural advantages of
property using mounds rather than too many bunkers to create challenges for
players. In our days at Augusta we will walk
18 holes, sprinting over fairways and through tall pines to chase players, skirting past water hazards and sand traps, climbing over Jones' mounds and up and down
abundant hills. And more than once I will think to myself, "Man, is there any level ground on this course?"
The Augusta National Golf Club had its formal opening in January of 1933 with
first National Invitation Tournament a year later in 1934. In 1937, club members began to wear
signature green jackets during
tournament so that patrons could easily identify a reliable source of information. Just two years later, in 1939,
competition officially became known as The Masters and in 1949
first green jacket "trophy" was awarded to Sam Snead, that year's Masters Champion.
Over
half century Fruitland Nurseries had been in business its owners had imported trees and plants from around
globe. While
nursery had ceased operation more than a decade before
tandem of Jones and Roberts arrived, there were still a wide variety of flowering plants and trees on
property. This variety included a row of magnolias, which was planted before
Civil War and another plant, popularized by
former owners, called
Azalea. Today, visitors to Augusta National enter through
main gate and drive 330 yards between
61 Magnolia trees that line
legendary Magnolia Lane before arriving at
Founders Circle in front of
clubhouse, a building that dates back 150 years to a man named Dennis Redmond, owner of what was then an indigo plantation. In
Founders Circle are two plaques, one dedicated to Bobby Jones and
other to Clifford Roberts.
To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/sports02/golf02/masters/augusta04/masters04.html
By Jim Hollister Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
