Inviting the master is a favorite memento, both physically and practically, to those who receive it, usually in the first part of the year. While in almost every case it is expected and has a formal formality, it still suggests something special: the opportunity to participate in one of golf’s most famous tournaments.
But there is one more influence that comes with it, which gets very little attention but those who are able to take advantage are totally welcome: basically, whenever the club is open.
Tiger Woods visited the club on Saturday when he returned to Holy Ground for the first time since his 2019 Masters win, in which he won the green jacket for the fifth time and the 15th major championship.
Next week’s first fall masters have gone to other players’ smattering clubs since its launch on Oct. 12, but the number is much lower than usual, another product of the coronavirus epidemic. The club closed in March, before the Masters due date in April, and a short window before the Masters made it difficult for many players to get there.
Still, it’s an opportunity that people who have the opportunity to experience say they enjoy.
“It’s such a surreal place,” said Patrick Reed, who won the 2018 Masters. “When there are no stands, no people, and the sun is setting on that tree, you just get a kind of golden view that the whole property passes by and you are able to see it all the way.
“It’s an incredible sight and something you’ve never seen. I think this is something that’s going to be special this year. You’ll have all these opinions that you don’t normally have. You’ll be able to. All the holes. To see all the mulch through the trees.It’s amazing.
The Masters Champion is considered an honorary member and can arrange a visit and play a course whenever the regular game is open. The player must take the August Gusta caddy, although he is allowed to be present and watch in his own caddy. The Masters Champions relax a bit while bringing guests.
Those who qualify for the tournament can also show up to play rounds at the Augusta Gusta National, but if they want to bring a guest, they need to be hosted by a member of the club. This is usually not a problem.
“I’ve probably traveled five times overnight,” said 2012 US Open champion Webb Simpson, who finished fifth in last year’s Masters. “I like everything about it. I love going to dinner; you have to keep a coat and tie. Good wine. Playing par-3. [course]. I like to be there, whether it’s serious or later. Any trip there is great. “
Simpson, who lives in Charlotte and is a member of the Quail Hollow Club there, said he knows many Augusta national members who are also members in his path. He also knows Jeff Knox, an Augusta Gusta national member who has gained some fame for being the club’s best player.
Hosting a player means the member plays in a group and can join the player for other activities, such as having dinner or playing an adjacent par-3 course. The trip includes a stay in one of the numerous cabins on site.
Simpson said, “The member takes care of it all.” The only annoying thing is when they don’t let me pay. I always try to say on the front end that I take care of everything. Your food, everything. They don’t usually let me do that, but they probably let me take care of the caddis. I feel good that way. That way I can ask them again. “
Simpson could not send exact numbers, but estimated that the cost of living in a cabin was “slightly higher” than in a typical hotel room. Throw in guest fees, caddy fees, dinners, etc., and the two-day trip he estimated to be about $ 2,000.
“It’s special,” Simpson said. “I think walking around August Gusta, my little kid comes out who always admires the masters. You’ve got the masters on every TV. And I’ll stay up late and watch it. In two places I’ve felt something special. And August Gusta. It’s not some mystical feeling. But you know that history was made there. You know who played there. And it hasn’t changed in many years. The clubhouse is still where it is. They make subtle changes so much “But we don’t know if anything has changed.”
Simpson said being able to bring one of the neat aspects of the privilege to another may not be an experience. His long-running ladder, Paul Tesori, was on a journey with him.
Tessori, a professional golfer who once tried to play the tour, defeated Simpson.
“He hit me straight,” Simpson said. “He took me. Birdid 18.”
As you can imagine, Tessori has fond memories.
“He took me for my birthday in 2015,” said Tessori, who said he was there two days in February, the other day before playing another 18, par-3 and the first day of the main course. “He gave me the wall of op-7979 on the first day. It’s the tea behind the ruthless.
“It was an incredible time. We stayed on site. [On the second day,] I shot his 75 to 74. It was in the 40’s and the wind was blowing. I favored 13, 14 and 15 and was 1 up on the 18th. He didn’t know where we were standing, but I told him.
“We both hit good drives. The pin came to the right again. I hit the pin and height of about 20 feet on the upper tire and the 4-iron on the left. He hit the 5-iron to one foot. I had to beat and pour it. That’s right. I think he was more excited than I was. “
There are stories that make the experience very special.
“Everyone who goes there [has that feeling]”Phil Mickelson, who said he has a friendly outing at least once a year.” From my dad and brother [Tim, now his caddie] To [agent] Steve Loy and my attorney, Glenn Cohen. It’s really a special thing. If we love you as much as golf, playing August Gusta National and staying on the field is a very spiritual experience.
“It’s like living in the grounds of St. Andrews. You can’t help but feel like something is different. You can’t help but feel the history of the Masters. Bobby Jones, [President Dwight] Eisenhower [who was a member and has a cabin named for him on the grounds]. You just feel the history there. If you love golf, it’s just a spiritual experience. “
And sometimes business happens. Mickelson said his “Coffee for Wellness” venture, which he has been promoting for more than a year, was visiting the club in the spring of 2019 when he joined club Gusta National.
Mickelson’s partner, Dave Phillips, was on tour and he played golf with Augusta member Scott Ford, who runs a large company … helping distribute coffee. One thing led to another, and this past Mickelson filed for a trademark.
“It’s just a nice little random tidbit that started from there,” Mickelsen said.
Many use the opportunity only as a scouting mission. Amateur John Ogenstein, who completed the subdivision at the 2019 U.S. Amateur, was on the field in March when he learned that the rest of his college season at Wonderbilt had not only been canceled, but the Masters postponed.
Permissions are especially useful for amateurs who qualify for masters. Not only are they getting a significant chance to play in the tournament, but they continue to get the same facilities until the pre-master’s weekend practice visit.
After winning the 2015 U.S. Amateur – which means he qualified for the 2016 Masters – Bryson de Chembu went to August Gusta more than 10 times before the Masters week. It looks like the club has now put a limit on those visits, as Matt Parzial – who signed his 2017 U.S. The mid-amateur qualified for the 2018 Masters for the win – he said his visit would be limited to five outside of the Masters week.
For many, such a trip down Magnolia Lane would be plenty.
And for established players, beauty seems to be more about gaining experience than gaining experience.
“My favorite time in Augusta hasn’t been the Masters,” Rory McLeroy said. “My favorite time is that we’ve taken some father-son trips (with her father, Gary), which has been wonderful right now. It’s the biggest – I think for the golfer, the greatest experience of golf is invited member. By August Gusta, staying in a cabin, having dinner, going to the wine cellar, picking up your wine bottle, all that stuff.This are cool things about Augusta that a lot of people don.
“Experiences Gusta’s those experiences when you’re there and nothing on the line, just for good, it’s the best time.”
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