The Masters Golf Tournament


The Masters has grown to become the most prestigious tournament in all of Golf. On March 22, 1934 Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts decided to hold an annual golf tournament in honour of golf's greatest players. Early on it was called the The Augusta National Invitation Tournament. It wasn't until 1939 that the event became known as The Masters. The Masters paved the way for modern golf tournaments. They instituted many rules that are still in use today. The tournament would be held over 4 days rather than three. They eliminated qualifying rounds, and only limited access to the playing area for players and caddies only. Since 1940 the Masters has always been held the first week of April at the Augusta National Golf Club. More on the Masters History.

History of Masters Champions



Jack Nicklaus waves to the gallery on the 8th hole during second round play of the 2005 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Saturday, April 9, 2005. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)


Payne Stewart begins to celebrate after making a 15-foot putt to clinch the 1999 U.S. Open, held at Pinehurst No.2 in Pinehurst, N.C. (Getty Images)


AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF COURSE

Amen Corner - "The Fateful Corner," by Herbert Warren Wind, Sports Illustrated, 1958

It's one of the most eagerly awaited stretches of holes in golf -- Nos. 11, 12 and 13 at Augusta National Golf Club.


"Amen Corner" was so christened following the 1958 Masters by writer Herbert Warren Wind in an article in Sports Illustrated. That was the Masters where Arnold Palmer earned his first major championship with the help of a ruling that, even decades later, runner-up Ken Venturi was still challenging.

Wind borrowed the name from an old jazz recording "Shouting at Amen Corner" by a band under the direction of Milton (Mezz) Mezzrow, a Chicago clarinetist. (Courtesy Masters.org)

Labels: Amen Corner, Arnold Palmer, Augusta National, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Professional Golf, The Masters, USGA