The Masters is one of my favorite sporting events, and its 85+ year history brings some great traditions.
So here's a running list of the most interesting facts:
1. Media tickets (badges) have RFID tags inside them so the club knows where each person is at all times.
So here's a running list of the most interesting facts:
1. Media tickets (badges) have RFID tags inside them so the club knows where each person is at all times.
2. The Masters doesn't start selling beer until 11 am on Sunday. The previous rule was 12:30 pm (after church), but the law was pushed 90 minutes forward in 2020.
3. Fans aren't allowed to bring chairs with armrests.
3. Fans aren't allowed to bring chairs with armrests.
4. Augusta National might be expanding soon.
Since 2000, they have:
• Spent $200 million
• Acquired 100+ properties
• Gained 270+ acres
They've bought strip malls, restaurants & homes, often paying 3-4x their actual value.
Total acreage has increased by ~75%.
(h/t @WSJ)
Since 2000, they have:
• Spent $200 million
• Acquired 100+ properties
• Gained 270+ acres
They've bought strip malls, restaurants & homes, often paying 3-4x their actual value.
Total acreage has increased by ~75%.
(h/t @WSJ)
5. Augusta was purchased for $70,000 in 1931 — an inflation-adjusted $1.4 million today — but now has an assessed value of $200 million (+ 14,000%).
6. There is no running allowed at Augusta National.
7. Over 700 volunteers work at the tournament each year (thousands apply).
6. There is no running allowed at Augusta National.
7. Over 700 volunteers work at the tournament each year (thousands apply).
8. The Masters will do about $70 million in merchandise sales this week.
•$10 million a day
• $1 million an hour
• $16,000 a minute
• $277 every second
The demand is so high because sales are intentionally limited to in-person attendees only.
•$10 million a day
• $1 million an hour
• $16,000 a minute
• $277 every second
The demand is so high because sales are intentionally limited to in-person attendees only.
9. Augusta recently opened a new media building:
• Leather chairs
• Brass nameplates
• Personal lockers
• Touchscreen computers
• Full-service restaurant (free)
Remember, most PGA Tour media centers are set up in temporary tents.
(📷: MillerBrown/Augusta National)
• Leather chairs
• Brass nameplates
• Personal lockers
• Touchscreen computers
• Full-service restaurant (free)
Remember, most PGA Tour media centers are set up in temporary tents.
(📷: MillerBrown/Augusta National)
10. Augusta has spent millions installing SubAir systems underneath every green.
It keeps the greens consistent, sucking up the water when it rains & adding moisture when it's hot.
Even crazier, Augusta put them under the walkways after a patron slipped & fell a few years back.
It keeps the greens consistent, sucking up the water when it rains & adding moisture when it's hot.
Even crazier, Augusta put them under the walkways after a patron slipped & fell a few years back.
11. The Masters winner receives a green jacket.
This jacket is taken home for a year to celebrate, but it must be returned to their locker the following year & can't leave after that.
Someone found a green jacket for $5 at a thrift store in 1999 and sold it last year for $140k.
This jacket is taken home for a year to celebrate, but it must be returned to their locker the following year & can't leave after that.
Someone found a green jacket for $5 at a thrift store in 1999 and sold it last year for $140k.
12. Houses in Augusta rent for crazy prices this week.
For example, someone is paying $30,000 to rent out the house below for the week.
And the IRS established "The Augusta Rule" years ago, enabling homeowners to rent out their homes for 14 days per year without being taxed.
For example, someone is paying $30,000 to rent out the house below for the week.
And the IRS established "The Augusta Rule" years ago, enabling homeowners to rent out their homes for 14 days per year without being taxed.
13. The Masters clubhouse has one of the world's best wine cellars (30+ pages of options).
14. Players & members enter Augusta on Magnolia Lane, which is precisely 330 yards long and has 61 Magnolia trees on each side (122 total).
Tiger even created his own during the pandemic.
14. Players & members enter Augusta on Magnolia Lane, which is precisely 330 yards long and has 61 Magnolia trees on each side (122 total).
Tiger even created his own during the pandemic.
15. Many US presidents have routinely played Augusta.
President Eisenhower visited the club 29 times during his 8 years in office, and they even worked with the secret service to build him a special cabin.
The "Eisenhower Cabin" is still used by members today.
President Eisenhower visited the club 29 times during his 8 years in office, and they even worked with the secret service to build him a special cabin.
The "Eisenhower Cabin" is still used by members today.
16. Speaking of US presidents:
President Reagan vacationed at Augusta in 1983 & stayed at the Eisenhower Cabin.
Someone smashed through the gate with a gun & tried to hold him hostage in the pro shop.
But the secret service got him out in an armed motorcade & no one was hurt.
President Reagan vacationed at Augusta in 1983 & stayed at the Eisenhower Cabin.
Someone smashed through the gate with a gun & tried to hold him hostage in the pro shop.
But the secret service got him out in an armed motorcade & no one was hurt.
17. The Masters intentionally doesn't maximize profit.
They sell $1.50 sandwiches, hold a lottery for $150 tickets, and only work with 6 sponsors.
Augusta doesn't even make CBS & ESPN pay a media rights fee, giving it to them for free in exchange for full and complete control.
They sell $1.50 sandwiches, hold a lottery for $150 tickets, and only work with 6 sponsors.
Augusta doesn't even make CBS & ESPN pay a media rights fee, giving it to them for free in exchange for full and complete control.
18. More than 100+ people volunteer to work on the grounds crew each year at the Masters.
The fairways are cut to precisely 3/8," and the greens won't be longer than 1/8".
And the grounds crew is so good that they can replace entire pieces of sod within just 15 minutes.
The fairways are cut to precisely 3/8," and the greens won't be longer than 1/8".
And the grounds crew is so good that they can replace entire pieces of sod within just 15 minutes.
19. Many golf clubs across the US are registered as non-profits — but Augusta is a for-profit corporation.
They give up the tax benefit, but it also means they don't have to share their member list, income, holdings, expansion plans, or anything else.
They value privacy more.
They give up the tax benefit, but it also means they don't have to share their member list, income, holdings, expansion plans, or anything else.
They value privacy more.
20. The Crow's Nest is a 30-by-40-ft living space on the 3rd floor of Augusta's clubhouse.
Each of the 7 amateurs at this year's tournament will stay at least one night in the room.
And previous guests include Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson.
Each of the 7 amateurs at this year's tournament will stay at least one night in the room.
And previous guests include Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Phil Mickelson.
So there you have it; those are some of the most fun and interesting facts about Augusta National and the Masters.
I'll update this thread throughout the weekend, so follow me (@JoePompliano) if you enjoyed it.
Enjoy the tournament!
I'll update this thread throughout the weekend, so follow me (@JoePompliano) if you enjoyed it.
Enjoy the tournament!
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