The Masters Golf Tournament 2016

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The majestic green fields of Augusta National Golf Club are almost ready to welcome the patrons, players and their guests for the Masters Golf Tournament 2016 which starts on the 7^th of April and lasts until the 11^th of April this year.

The Masters Golf Tournament, commonly referred to as The Masters or The US Masters, is one of four major championships in men’s professional golf and unlike the other major championships, it is held at the same location every year – Augusta National Golf Club, a private golf club estate in Augusta, Georgia, USA.

Augusta National Golf Club has about 300 members at any given time. There is no application process as the new members are accepted strictly by invitation. Some of the famous current members include Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Condoleezza Rice, Henry Waite, etc.

This famous tournament was established in 1934 and the first winner was Horton Smith.

Similar to the other majors, the tournament consists of four rounds at 18 holes each. The golf course was formerly a plant nursery and each hole is named after the tree or shrub with which it has become associated.

The course layout in 2014:

To see the past winners and results, click here: http://www.masters.com/en_US/tournament/past_winners.html

For historical records and stats, click here:

http://www.masters.com/en_US/tournament/past_winners.html

Some important things to know if you are planning to attend The Masters Golf Tournament:

• If you are wondering if you could play a round of golf at Augusta National or just visit the course, the answer is no. Unless, you are a member of the club, of course. Augusta National Golf Club is a private club and is only accessible to club members and their guests. The public may visit the course only during the Masters Tournament and only with the proper ticket or badge.
• The Masters is known to be very selective and restrictive regarding visitors. There is no specific age restriction for children attending the tournament but appropriate behavior is a must. Guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children and in cases of repeated misbehavior parents and guardians are subject to removal from the course. Every person must possess their own ticket, regardless of age.
• The tickets for the Masters are very difficult to find. Even the practice rounds can be difficult to get into. Applications for practice round tickets have to be made nearly a year in advance and the successful applicants are chosen by random ballot.The ticket application process for the 2016 Masters Tournament has concluded. All tickets were sold in advance by random selection and no additional tickets are available. The 2017 ticket application process will begin May 10th.

Future dates:

2017: April 3 – 9

2018: April 2 – 8

Top 10 Greatest Golf Shots in The Masters

The Masters traditions:

US Masters is an iconic event full of very special traditions, I will try to sum up only a few of  them:

• Every year, the champion is ceremoniously fitted with the emblem of Augusta National membership, the Green Jacket. That “passing of the mantle” is both symbolic and powerful, not only to the golfer but to the golf world. It is indeed, a tradition unlike any other.
• Masters champions are automatically invited to play in the other three majors (theS. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship (except for amateur winners unless they turn pro within the five-year period)) for the next five years, and earn a lifetime invitation to the Masters. They also receive membership on the PGA Tour for the following five seasons and invitations to The Players Championship for five years.
• Since 1963 the custom in most years has been to start the tournament with an honorary opening tee shot at the first hole, typically by one of golf’s greatest players.
• An event that has very little to do with the actual tournament but has quickly become one of the most anticipated parts of Masters Week is Skipping balls on 16. During practice rounds, golfers hit their tee shots to the par 3 16th and then – with a great deal of encouragement from the patrons – walk up to the water’s edge and attempt to “skip shots” across the water onto the green.
• Suggested by and first hosted by none other than Ben Hogan, the Champions Dinner is a Tuesday tradition and one of the most anticipated meals in the sports world. Only past champions and a few members of Augusta National are in attendance and the menu is always chosen by the previous year’s champion.
• Magnolia Lane/Founders Circle– Very few people have ever traveled this 300-yard road, but it may be the most famous “road” in golf. This entrance to Augusta National is reserved for members and players and is renowned for its stately Magnolia trees that line both sides of the drive. It is said to bring chills and goose bumps to those who drive up its hallowed path.
• Par 3 Tournament is just a little nine-hole course, you may only need two or three clubs to play it (two wedges and a putter for many) but it has become both a crowd and player favorite. The images of children caddying for their fathers, players and fans interacting, golf’s legends playing alongside the young stars and always some great shots and aces.
• Augusta National’s food menu is almost as famous as the golf course itself. At the top of the list is the iconic pimento cheese sandwich. Augusta National keeps the recipe for the pimento cheese spread a secret.

Accommodation

Here is our selection of the best hotels situated near the Augusta National Golf Course:

Holiday Inn Express Augusta North – 1073 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta, GA 30907, USA

 This hotel is located in Augusta, one kilometer from Augusta National Golf Club. It has an indoor heated pool, and offers spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs and cable channels.

Rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Augusta North come include a work desk and free Wi-Fi. They come equipped with a coffee maker and ironing facilities. Some rooms include a seating area.

Guests of the Express Augusta North can relax in the jacuzzi, or visit the 24-hour fitness center. The hotel also has a business center.

Courtyard Augusta – 1045 Stevens Creek Road, Augusta, GA 30907, USA 

 The Courtyard Augusta is located 3.2 km from the Augusta National Golf Course. It has an outdoor pool with furnished terrace and spacious rooms with cable TV.

The Augusta’s rooms include a work desk and a sitting area. They come equipped with a microwave, a small refrigerator, and a coffeemaker. Free Wi-Fi is also available.

The hotel restaurant, The Bistro, serves breakfast and dinner daily. The hotel provides concierge services and also has an on-site fitness center.

The Partridge Inn Augusta, Curio Collection by Hilton – 2110 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904, USA

    In the heart of Augusta, this historic Georgia inn features an outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. Guests are 4.8 km from iconic Augusta National Golf Club.

All guest rooms feature a flat-screen cable TV, iPod docking station, and coffee-making facilities. Rooms at this Georgia Partridge Inn are uniquely decorated with antique furnishings. Select suites and include a balcony and kitchen.

Access to the fitness center and free parking are provided to all Partridge Inn guests throughout their stay. A laundromat, meeting facilities, and banquet facilities are available as well.

The P.I. Bar and Grill serves classic Southern American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with optional outdoor sitting on the porch. A Sunday brunch is available for an additional fee.

If you are planning to attend this special event, you owe it to yoursel to fly with style. To charter a private jet from the airport of your choice to Augusta Regional Airport, click here.

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