Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Pete Lavallee on January 08, 2017, 04:23:42 AM
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On the Top 100 most interested thread many have indicated little desire to play AN; I'm calling bullshit here! It is however one of the most difficult courses in the world to access, most people ticking off the Top 100 invariably have it as their last conquest. Just curious as to how many of our avid members have had the chance to play there. I'll start the count at 1 as we all know Pat Mucci has played there. :D Feel free to IM me if you wish to remain anonymous. I'll start the over under at 10% or 150!
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OLD POST:
I had a waiter one summer on Martha's Vineyard at the West Chop Club who worked at Augusta in the winter. He had retired from Augusta and told me some great stories and had a real love for the place. He was an older Black man and had nothing but good to say. That had to be a cool era...
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/06/article-2598369-1CE3CF5200000578-469_964x771.jpg)
NEW POST:
I still have not played Augusta National GC, and it was nice to see them give tribute to Lee Elder today. When I was a kid, I remember Lee Elder playing and honestly had no idea what he had to go through to get on that Augusta stage.
Our friends at National Links Trust are running a nice tribute to Lee Elder on Saturday:
Join NLT at Langston Golf Course on April 10th from 11am-2pm for a Masters themed event honoring Lee Elder. Mr. Elder managed Langston GC starting in 1978 and was the first Black professional golfer invited to the prestigious Masters tournament. Mr. Elder is now the honorary starter at the 2021 Masters tournament.
https://national-links-trust.myshopify.com/collections/langston-event-april-10th/products/langston-masters-event-honoring-lee-elder-ticket
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0536/7647/4533/products/1573227970008_1024x1024@2x.jpg?v=1615312319)
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If I had played ANGC, I would not reveal it, publicly and permanently, in order to not draw attention to the fact and my host/hostess.
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In video game form, I have played ANGC many times.
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I have not,
I have walked it outside of the Masters week ... so for my personal architectural benefit ... I have at least for stood on all tees, walked the fairways and walked around the greens.
I hadn't participated in the that list. Seemed like too much work ...
I expect many don't put down a course they know they will never play to avoid personal disappointment. I was asked at a dinner - what's the one course if someone here could grant you the game - you would ask to play. The table was split with Augusta and Cypress and I said Myopia Hunt. I had to explain that I had not played Augusta, but I made peace with the idea that I will never playing there. Myopia was the last of the early American foundation courses that I had not seen and that mattered to me a great deal.
So I don't think it's games, just a dose of reality for many.
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On the Top 100 most interested thread many have indicated little desire to play AN; I'm calling bullshit here! It is however one of the most difficult courses in the world to access, most people ticking off the Top 100 invariably have it as their last conquest. Just curious as to how many of our avid members have had the chance to play there. I'll start the count at 1 as we all know Pat Mucci has played there. :D Feel free to IM me if you wish to remain anonymous. I'll start the over under at 10% or 150!
I have not played either -- and bet the number of current GCAers who have is way less than 150.
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I can say I have without hesitation because I played it as a scoring volunteer in 1989. It is pretty fabulous. What I remember mostly is the hospitality extended by ANGC. Their oft- stated claim as to the value of the volunteers is more than supported by the consideration given on your day. Unlimited access to the Par 3 and practice facilities. Nice lunch served under the oak. The course itself was immaculate, with greens in the "practice round fast" range according to my caddie. Free to explore the grounds minus the cabins and the member dining room.
They used classic Sunday pin positions and member tees.
Figured I would get back one day but hasn't happened. Great memory.
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I have played it a few times. Not that I had any special contact but living in Ga one probably has better odds of getting the chance due to local members etc. The opportunity arises about once a year. Also back when I first got in the business I worked for a major supplier of their's and we would be invited to volunteer for the week. We would rake bunkers and clip the edges with hand clippers etc. All types had volunteered. We had Bill Murray a couple of years and The Gatlin Brothers almost every year. And they worked. We would get a handful of tickets for sandwiches etc at lunch and we would do to work at 5:30 each morning and be finished around 9 or so. THEN on the last week of May they would have vendor day and press day. We would all get to play, eat bar-b-que and play the par three. That was in the 80's...now I hear they have limited the playing and not all volunteers get to play. During that time frame I also was calling on them in the Summers and got to watch a lot of the construction and alterations to greens etc when they were closed. I would call on them every two weeks and it was interesting watching what they could do vs. the normal customer at that time. It wasn't that they had super secret methods, they just had the ability and if they saw something they thought would work it was no problem having it demoed.
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In video game form, I have played ANGC many times.
Like many here if it was "restored" to that visible on the video history section....it would be #1 on my list
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I have played it a few times. Not that I had any special contact but living in Ga one probably has better odds of getting the chance due to local members etc. The opportunity arises about once a year. Also back when I first got in the business I worked for a major supplier of their's and we would be invited to volunteer for the week. We would rake bunkers and clip the edges with hand clippers etc. All types had volunteered. We had Bill Murray a couple of years and The Gatlin Brothers almost every year. And they worked. We would get a handful of tickets for sandwiches etc at lunch and we would do to work at 5:30 each morning and be finished around 9 or so. THEN on the last week of May they would have vendor day and press day. We would all get to play, eat bar-b-que and play the par three. That was in the 80's...now I hear they have limited the playing and not all volunteers get to play. During that time frame I also was calling on them in the Summers and got to watch a lot of the construction and alterations to greens etc when they were closed. I would call on them every two weeks and it was interesting watching what they could do vs. the normal customer at that time. It wasn't that they had super secret methods, they just had the ability and if they saw something they thought would work it was no problem having it demoed.
I have no problems expressing my envy Mike :)
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Played it in late October 1978-age 15-had to miss basketball practice which was a big deal back in the day.....My high school coach, who was black, was hedging but when he saw my mind was made up, he relented and said with a wry smile "well they finally let a black man play (Lee Elder 1975) so now I guess they'll let anybody play"
My father was invited by a gentlemen named George Sanken but since he was a very, very infrequent golfer he sent me.
We played the par 3 first but I don't remember much of that.
I still remember I was using a Toney Penna driver with a grip so worn from the previous owner that it had a dent where the left thumb went.
I remember playing the white tees because I was too nervous to ask to play the back tees(playing the back tees at ANGC for low handicappers was more common then as there wasn't such a massive difference between tees there is now -there remain ONLY two sets of tees-now miles apart). The greens were freshly overseeded with rye (back before they went to bent) and were very slow-as freshly germinated rye is very sticky-maybe a 5 or 6 but that time of year other places were as well until they started shaving them in November when they could get pretty darn fast, especially after a frost.
I was so nervous I was 5 over after 5, got it back to 4 over than missed a very short putt on 18(the original Ed Sneed) for 76 to end up with 77. I also remember that was my last round using a Spalding Cash-in putter.
I started playing golf in 1974 age 11, grew up over the fence at Augusta Cc and have been to every Masters since (1975-2016)
Went through the hole in the fence by 13 tee many summer afternoons as a teenager and played 13,14,11,12.
Once played the entire back nine except for putting on 18 and teeing off on 9.
Typing this makes me rethink I might be more interested in playing it than my original selection Sand Hills(which I've not played).
I always thought I would return to ANGC and get the chance to play the back tees, but that would be quite a chore for me now-unless it was warm/hot late spring day past the cool/cold dampness of winter there.
I certainly know if given the choice I would pick ANGC over Sand Hills because as I've learned, such invites are few and far between-and it's been a big part of my life.
Sand Hills, while remote ,has a very generous one time nonaccompanied access policy.
That doesn't make Sand Hills less interesting to me though as a golf course.
I'm not really a big name or Top 100 access seeker as I get much more of a thrill out of discovering and enjoying a hidden gem and the humble/real attitudes and spirits that tend to go with that......but I would make an exception to return to ANGC. ;)
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If I had played ANGC, I would not reveal it, publicly and permanently, in order to not draw attention to the fact and my host/hostess.
I don't understand this at all. Why would you not mention the fact that you've played ANGC if you had. Do members ask that guests not tell anyone that they've played at their club. On this site many people tell about their experiences playing Pine Valley, Shinnecock, Seminole, etc. I'm happy for those people and love to hear the stories they tell about their experiences. Don't know why Augusta would be any different.
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I have played it a few times. Not that I had any special contact but living in Ga one probably has better odds of getting the chance due to local members etc. The opportunity arises about once a year. Also back when I first got in the business I worked for a major supplier of their's and we would be invited to volunteer for the week. We would rake bunkers and clip the edges with hand clippers etc. All types had volunteered. We had Bill Murray a couple of years and The Gatlin Brothers almost every year. And they worked. We would get a handful of tickets for sandwiches etc at lunch and we would do to work at 5:30 each morning and be finished around 9 or so. THEN on the last week of May they would have vendor day and press day. We would all get to play, eat bar-b-que and play the par three. That was in the 80's...now I hear they have limited the playing and not all volunteers get to play. During that time frame I also was calling on them in the Summers and got to watch a lot of the construction and alterations to greens etc when they were closed. I would call on them every two weeks and it was interesting watching what they could do vs. the normal customer at that time. It wasn't that they had super secret methods, they just had the ability and if they saw something they thought would work it was no problem having it demoed.
I have no problems expressing my envy Mike :)
:) :)
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I've played it three times: the first time the day after The Masters in 1983, when I worked as a photographer for their Yearbook, and the other two times with members. I've only done the full experience -- staying on site and playing the par-3 course once, the most recent visit. On that trip I was more amazed by the service than the golf course itself.
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I've played it three times: the first time the day after The Masters in 1983, when I worked as a photographer for their Yearbook, and the other two times with members. I've only done the full experience -- staying on site and playing the par-3 course once, the most recent visit. On that trip I was more amazed by the service than the golf course itself.
And it seems the wine cellar is never mentioned much but is one of the best in the country...
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I have never played it. I am from Augusta and know 7 members on a first-named basis. However, the unwritten rule is that you do not ask to play or discuss the club in any way. While I would LOVE to play the course, I can only imagine the amount of times those guys get hounded to play. I would never want to put a member in that position by asking to play. If it happens one day, great!! If not, oh well. I have had some fantastic rounds at some of the world's best courses with great friends. I think I will be ok.
My "bucket list" is short, but is has gotten longer since being on this site. :-)
Shinnecock
National Golf
Sand Hills
Oakmont
Anything outside of that is just gravy!!!
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I'm sort of like Ian in the respect that the fantasy of ever playing it is long gone.
I do though, have a bucket list item to come out to see it during a practice round someday..
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However, the unwritten rule is that you do not ask to play or discuss the club in any way. While I would LOVE to play the course,
Sounds like you are screwed then!
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I have not played it, but I have driven around the course in a golf cart and been all over the grounds in the middle of the night the week before and during the Masters.
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Played it in 1998. Birdied 11, parred 12 and then hooked it our of bounds on 13 to ruin my chance to play Amen Corner under par (Of course that's the first thing that comes to mind)!
Back then, with no rough, it was a real fun place to play, until you got to the greens. I remember tapping a putt from the top tier on nine and ending up with a 70 yard wedge coming back. The 13th green, with a back right pin was impossible to two putt from anywhere on the left side, as I recall.
My interaction with the club as a media member in the 1990's was exceptional. On a Doak Scale, it would be the only ten of all the events I covered across many major sports. Just a wonderful mix of professionalism and personal attention, whether you were the camera guy or a nationally acclaimed columnist. I remember finding my cameraman in the clubhouse, seated at a table, watching the tournament on TV with members and thinking, "Where else could this possibly happen?"
It seems they do everything right down there, with the exception of the blacking out the TV coverage on Thursday and Friday mornings. I'd like to see that change.
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I have not, but late last year (2016) one of my friends was invited to play as a guest -- two rounds + par 3 + stay in Eisenhower cabin + eat in DR. He really enjoyed the experience, at least as much for the idiosyncrasies of the "club" as for the golf. One thing he learned is that the course isn't rated and sloped -- what he was told, in any case -- so he could not post his scores. I did not know that (assuming it is true).
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8) Never for real, had opportunity to see practice round one year. But I did go one under around Amen Corner at Tour 18 in Humble... ;D
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Many, many friends have played it, one 96 rounds. Chatting to a B&B guest once about the amateur championship at Deal, he said "I won it a few years back". He talked about his first visit to Augusta in the autumn, playing a practise round with Palmer and in the first round with Floyd. Pretty cool.
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If I had played ANGC, I would not reveal it, publicly and permanently, in order to not draw attention to the fact and my host/hostess.
I don't undertsand why you would not reveal it on a forum like this when asked and I am certain hosts don't mind. Members take guests to the pro shop and encourage you to get quite a few logoed items that can't be purchased Masters week. If they did not want people knowing you had played, that would not happen.
It is the greatest golf experience ever, on and off the course, and members could not be more gracious and proud of their club.
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I selected Cypress Point as the course I'm most interested in playing in Golf Digest's Top 10. I've never played ANGC but certainly would love to.
I do know a guy who has stayed and played at Augusta. He told me he's played courses that are better than Augusta, such as Cypress Point, Pine Valley, Oakmont, Shinnecock. He has multiple rounds on all of those courses, including two different visits to ANGC.
However, he also said the entire experience at ANGC, from the drive down Magnolia Lane to the cabins to dinner to the par 3 and practice areas and, of course, the golf, is the greatest experience he's ever had in golf, hands down.
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I have been fortunate to have been a guest and played this special course.
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However, he also said the entire experience at ANGC, from the drive down Magnolia Lane to the cabins to dinner to the par 3 and practice areas and, of course, the golf, is the greatest experience he's ever had in golf, hands down.
I hear this all the time, and I think it must be the suck-up factor at work. As in, you're entitled to like another course better as long as you bow down to Augusta for the whole experience.
As I said earlier, I was most impressed by the service when I stayed there. It was really incomparable to any high-end resort I've ever been; of course, it's a bit easier because they have much more handle on where guests go and when they go there. Nobody ever just shows up where they're not supposed to be at Augusta. And the chance to mingle with members and other guests can be really cool, depending on who's there ... it is not the only club like that, but there aren't many other clubs where the dining room is so full of power players most nights.
But the par-3 course experience? It's a great part of the Masters tradition, but I didn't find it a lot of fun to play, personally. Naming that as being a major contributor to the awesomeness of the experience is just sucking up -- especially since the primary purpose of the par-3 is to keep you from wanting to play 36 holes on the big course in the same day.
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Only one of the Top 100 I have not played. Oh well....
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Delightfully, yes. April 7, 2013, a day that will live in infamy. Birdied the 12th hole ;D
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We are up to 9 with 2 people IMing that they have played so our grand total so far is 11; might have to revise the over under!
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I have been lucky to play it 6 times and the par 3 twice. The staff and experience of staying in a cottage is top of the world. Unfortunately my host a great friend passed away 8 years ago...RHE
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I have a friend who is up in years who had played all of the Top 100 at the time with the exception of Augusta National. One day he met a member and obtained an invite to come out in the spring. A month later the member passed away, which is perhaps the ultimate in bad fortune.
Back in 2005 my brother's father-in-law who lived near Atlanta won the lottery for practice round tickets but wasn't able to use them due to health issues. He gave them to my brother who took my late father and I. At the time, my dad had recently gone through a heart attack and quadruple bypass so we thought it best if we found a bleacher near a green and just watched groups play through.
My dad would have none of that. I could swear he suddenly lost 20 years in a few moments and we walked all of the course, probably trekking over 10 miles up and down those hills and he never did get the smile off his face. We watched the pre-scandal Tiger Woods eagle 8 and 9 consecutively, holing a nine-iron approach on 9 and then walking into the clubhouse without going out the back nine. He evidently didn't need to, as he won that year.
I count myself very fortunate to have had that day.
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Pete,
Is the cool thing now to IM that you have played there? Sorry for just posting it and not IM'ing...
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I have been lucky enough to play three times. The first two times were in college. My first trip down I rode with Charlie Rymer (my teammate and roommate at the time) and two Members Dan Yates and Carl Reith. It was a decent February day in 1987. When we arrived we were worried it may rain so we played the back nine first. I played with Mr. Yates. He never putted out--he always attempted the first putt and then no matter what happened the caddie picked it up for him--so he shot about 50 :)
I played the back nine in 36 (birdied 13 when my 1-iron attempt for the green went so far right it was safe RIGHT of the creek and I got up and down) and I bogied 18. The weather improved and we played the front. I three-putted #1 for bogey and then birdied 2,5,7 and 8. On #9 I sliced a drive (wooden woods back then for me) and had a 4-iron. I pulled it into the left bunker and somehow managed to play enough break out to the left that allowed the ball to trickle down to about three inches where I could tap in for 69 ;D I still have the scorecard.
We had lunch and played the par-3 course--I was so jacked up I would have walked home to Atlanta afterwards!
Played the next year and shot about 77 and then in 2010 after all the changes and added length I played again and shot 79. I will say it is a completely different course now and if I ever had the chance to play again, I would absolutely play the members' tees--it is way too much golf course for me now--damn aging thing.
It is a great experience and even as a kid they treated all the guests fantastically. I am a very lucky person.
Addendum: As to how lucky I am I was able to go to the 1986 Masters with my high school golf coach. If you watch the tapes there is my ugly assed mug on the tee at 15 when Seve and Tom Kite tee off and then again on 18 when Jack tees off. Maybe the most exciting event I have ever been to.
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However, he also said the entire experience at ANGC, from the drive down Magnolia Lane to the cabins to dinner to the par 3 and practice areas and, of course, the golf, is the greatest experience he's ever had in golf, hands down.
I hear this all the time, and I think it must be the suck-up factor at work. As in, you're entitled to like another course better as long as you bow down to Augusta for the whole experience.
As I said earlier, I was most impressed by the service when I stayed there. It was really incomparable to any high-end resort I've ever been; of course, it's a bit easier because they have much more handle on where guests go and when they go there. Nobody ever just shows up where they're not supposed to be at Augusta. And the chance to mingle with members and other guests can be really cool, depending on who's there ... it is not the only club like that, but there aren't many other clubs where the dining room is so full of power players most nights.
But the par-3 course experience? It's a great part of the Masters tradition, but I didn't find it a lot of fun to play, personally. Naming that as being a major contributor to the awesomeness of the experience is just sucking up -- especially since the primary purpose of the par-3 is to keep you from wanting to play 36 holes on the big course in the same day.
I have to agree that the entire experience, staying on property, the bar and dining, getting to visit the Champions locker room, and the golf is by far the best golfing experience by a large difference to other clubs with top courses. In my case Tom I elected to skip the par 3 course every day for an extra back 9 and my host was happy to oblige.
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Delightfully, yes. April 7, 2013, a day that will live in infamy. Birdied the 12th hole ;D
John, that was the Sunday before the tournament began, a day past champions can bring guests. Can you tell us about the day and how the course was playing considering it was in tournament condition?
One thing I always read about is how the pros go to Augusta for practice rounds this time of year and it's freezing and wet so the course plays really long. I would imagine a lot of people don't get to play Augusta in prime condition since the winter isn't great and it's closed for 4+ months for the summer. For you to play the course in April is pretty amazing.
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I have not played it. Only walked during the tournament in 2008.
MM
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I was fortunate enough to enjoy the whole experience - big course, Par 3, dinner, tour the clubhouse and overnight in a cabin. Not sure I can add anything that hasn't already been said but the golf, the service and everything else added up to an unforgettable experience.
Played in late February 2010. A couple weeks prior to the day of play asnowstorm left the course covered in snow as shown on some pictures that spread on the internet. I was a wreck and never checked the weather so much in my life but the weather and course were perfect for the day.
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I was asked if I wanted to by one of the few people I know who knows a member and has played it. He said they had a date and a spot which he was declining because of cost. At the time, I came to the same conclusion. I honestly don't remember the estimated cost (whether 4 or 5 figures). I'd probably be more inclined to think about it now and might be inclined to value the experience and ignore the cost. My reluctance these days is not having the game to play the shots.
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Yes, as everyone says the whole experience is pretty awesome and don't have anything more to add that others haven't already said.
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I've been lucky enough to play it as a tournament volunteer every year. Being there for the whole week of the tournament is amazing too and makes you appreciate playing it that much more....
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Eric - Yes, it was the Sunday before the tournament started. The most obvious thing about playing then is the wow factor that you see during the Masters with the course in perfect condition, the flowers in bloom etc. My observation/impression was that tee to green it is not that difficult (for a then 15 handicap). Difficult to lose a ball unless you hit it into the water on 12 or 15-16. Fairways are reasonably easy to hit and even being under a pine tree leaves you a chip that is usually not that difficult.
The difficulty is all in holding the greens and putting, as you would expect. In this regard I found it similar to Merion. You must put the ball in the correct quadrant or sector of the green to have any chance to score reasonably. The two former champions I played with proved the point on many holes by dropping balls and then tapping putts an inch or two that rolled off greens.
My other impression is similar to Tom Doak's. I played the par 3 course as well and (hopefully William Porter Payne doesn't read these posts and ban me from visiting) wasn't dazzled by it. The experience is obviously over the top from the minute you step onto the property until you leave and playing the par 3 is a great experience, but from an architecture/great hole standpoint it didn't provide lasting memories.
My final impression is that looking at and walking a course is far different than playing it. Some of the holes that don't get as much notoriety, such as the 3rd, 5th and 7th I found to be the most challenging. The third, even though it is a very short par four, is an exceedingly difficult green to hit. The fifth because the bunker on the left is a magnet and difficult to get out of. :( And the seventh is narrower than it looks on TV and the green is more elevated than you think it is.
John
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Very cool story John. 1 seems very difficult as well. It doesn't seem like you get much roll if you land short of the fairway bunker, the fairway gets narrow around the fairway bunker, and the green has a lot going on. Last year it was playing into the wind for a couple rounds and guys actually had mid irons and hybrids in. Tough start.
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Around 1990 I had an art gallery and represented Leroy Neiman. I had asked him for a number of years to do a Masters piece so in February he calls me and says he has decided to do a Masters piece and I needed to get him airline tickets, hotel, limo and two tickets for Wednesday and Thursday of Masters week. (The second ticket was for his assistant/girlfriend - not me.) I asked a former boss who I knew had connections in Augusta if he could help me. Turns out he had tickets I could have and his client was a local member who owned a hotel and other businesses in Augusta and knew of Leroy and helped out with the other items. The piece he did I titled "April in Augusta" which shows Nicklaus teeing off on 10 with Faldo and Fannie behind him in front of the crowd. There were also sketches that he did and are in his book "Big Time Golf." I did speak with the member as well as the then head pro and Leroy signed pieces for them but I never asked for tickets or a chance to play the course - bad move on my part.
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Another IM brings our total to 17; so there a chance!
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Not sure of the reluctance to be public about playing. My neighbor played it a few years ago shortly before the Masters. There was one other groups on property at the time due to the cold weather. Dinner was with that group which was two Top 20 players squeezing in some Masters prep. On the course the next morning their host told them to take as many pictures as they needed to make their friends jealous and for them to make sure to tell everyone they knew that they had played Augusta National!
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Not yet, my Dad started taking me to the Masters in 1981 when I was 9 and I have been 16 times which has lead to a life long love affair with Augusta. Someday, someday....
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ANGC is different from all the clubs you mentioned. Members go to great lengths to keep their membership private and if I were invited, I would not let anyone know. Personal belief. It's not that you don't understand it; it seems to be that you don't agree with it.
If I had played ANGC, I would not reveal it, publicly and permanently, in order to not draw attention to the fact and my host/hostess.
I don't understand this at all. Why would you not mention the fact that you've played ANGC if you had. Do members ask that guests not tell anyone that they've played at their club. On this site many people tell about their experiences playing Pine Valley, Shinnecock, Seminole, etc. I'm happy for those people and love to hear the stories they tell about their experiences. Don't know why Augusta would be any different.
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Ronald,
I could understand not telling people who hosted you, but I don't see how it affects the privacy of a club or its members for people to know that a teacher from Upstate New York once played a game of golf there.
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My grandfather played it several times, but I never met him until he was on his death bed. He was an oral surgeon in Texas who knew some big oil dudes and ended up being acquaintances with Arnie, Jack, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Jimmy Demaret, and a few others. I ended up with a few of his autographed golf books... if he had been in my life sooner, who knows what would have happened?
I've been nowhere near it. My dad went to the Masters the last time Tiger won it. I plan on attending one day but I'm other than that, I'm not holding my breath.
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Played it once. Amazing in every way!
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OK, another IM and Mac bring our total to 19, roughly 1%. So there is that 1 in 100 chance!
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I have. As an intern at West Lake CC (run at the time by the great Mark Darnell, who taught us all about what the golf business was), I along with my other interns were told at 11 am that we had a 3pm tee time. Needless to say, we hightailed it over and soaked it in. We were allowed in the clubhouse, on the par three and the driving range. I know what it feels like to stick your peg in the same ground ALL of the greats have played, and it is better than TV can ever describe. Two holes come to mind. #9. You hit a boomer tee ball only to be accosted with a short iron to a ridiculous false front (does "Mackenzie" translate into "Ross" in any part of Scotland????) where a crisply struck 9 hangs on the edge, only to be careened off for a 30-yard chip shot for the par. Utterly frustrating. But it also taught me that those boys who negotiate that hole have some skill.
The other hole that is ridiculous is # 12. It was a 9 iron (the toonamint tees were matted) and while I struck it flush, you have no freaking clue if it is good enough. The green is a ribbon. Then to have to hit a bunker shot out of the back trap TOWARDS the creek you just successfully cleared...diabolical!
In the end, we had headlights on the 18th to light our putts. We saved a divot in our fridge for 3 months. And it is the epitome of the phrase 'Youth is wasted on the young.' I was 20, thought I was paying the proper respect and still wish to this day, 25 years later, that I had taken more pictures and relaxed a bit more.
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Meant to bump this, and now bumping:
OLD POST:
I had a waiter one summer on Martha's Vineyard at the West Chop Club who worked at Augusta in the winter. He had retired from Augusta and told me some great stories and had a real love for the place. He was an older Black man and had nothing but good to say. That had to be a cool era...
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/06/article-2598369-1CE3CF5200000578-469_964x771.jpg)
NEW POST 4/8/21:
I still have not played Augusta National GC, and it was nice to see them give tribute to Lee Elder today. When I was a kid, I remember Lee Elder playing and honestly had no idea what he had to go through to get on that Augusta stage.
Our friends at National Links Trust are running a nice tribute to Lee Elder on Saturday:
Join NLT at Langston Golf Course on April 10th from 11am-2pm for a Masters themed event honoring Lee Elder. Mr. Elder managed Langston GC starting in 1978 and was the first Black professional golfer invited to the prestigious Masters tournament. Mr. Elder is now the honorary starter at the 2021 Masters tournament.
https://national-links-trust.myshopify.com/collections/langston-event-april-10th/products/langston-masters-event-honoring-lee-elder-ticket (https://national-links-trust.myshopify.com/collections/langston-event-april-10th/products/langston-masters-event-honoring-lee-elder-ticket)
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0536/7647/4533/products/1573227970008_1024x1024@2x.jpg?v=1615312319)
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I've played it twice and the par 3 once. Stayed at the Bobby Jones cabin over nite. Loved every second of it. Still a great memory.
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Been there on 4 trips to play (and for the Masters about 7 times...trust me the 4 and the 7 have ZERO overlap). First time playing 1976 and last time playing was 2000. Last time there for Masters was 2010. Probably played it in total about 15 times the 4 trips. Not bad after growing up on NYC munis...been so very lucky.
No question in my mind that the course "architecturally" was better before changes since 2000 or so (I have no problem w the changes in length, but do not like the additional trees on right side of 11, 14, 17 and left side of 15 and 17). But also recognize that without the additional length, the Masters would have lost some of its relevance if it still was approx 6950 yards
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I never have, but a good story of how private some keep it.
A friend of mine, who I thought I knew very well, said to me one day while we are driving to our early morning tee time, while sports radio was talking about John Smoltz, "Hey did I ever tell you about the time I played golf with Jon Smoltz and Tom Glavine?"
I was like...... uh hell no and why the heck does it take this long to tell me. He says they are both very good golfers and that Smoltz hits his irons as solid as a pro. I ask him how did you get connected with them and he says the starter paired him and a friend of him with em when he was in Georgia.
He continues to talk about how nice guys they are, etc. I'm not thinking much of it as it was some public course in Atlanta or something as they were pitching for the Braves back then. So I ask, "what course was it?"
He goes, "Augusta." My jaw dropped, I mean really I recall having my mouth open and pausing for like a few seconds starting at him in disbelief. I said like Augusta National where the Masters is? He casually says, "yeah."
Now WTF I have known this guy for years and we golf every week in a group together and you drop a casual yeah I played Augusta story on me that includes getting paired up with Tom Glavine and John Smoltz??? It was like he was leading a double life that I never knew about and almost felt betrayed like I couldn't trust him for a while.
Turns out he was newly married to his wife and living in Texas somewhere. His next door neighbor's son was a groundskeeper at ANGC and as he says it, once a year the son can have a twosome to invite. The dad asks my friend if he wants to go on short notice. My friend asks his wife and she says hell no, they don't have any money. My friend says, "I think I would have considered divorce, if she didn't relent. And I'm serious." Maybe he was, but he buys a Delta ticket to Atlanta drives up and plays with his neighbor and coincidentally they are paired with the pitchers. My friend was a heck of a pitcher himself at UT - Austin back in the early 80's.
What a great story and time he had.
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2017 played ANGC about three weeks before the Masters. They were setting up the grandstands and the scoreboards were up which was kind of cool. Lots of great memories from the day but probably most impressive was my 16 year old son making par on all four of the par threes. Hit all four greens and two putted. The course is a lot different and fun for daily member play being much shorter and very wide. The greens are still very challenging and it is very much about angles.
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Several times. First in 1967. Last in 1999. Never played well, but do have a few memorable shots. Almost [size=78%] aced #12 and hit it to a foot on #18. [/size]
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A guy I caddied for growing up got to play it, it’s an interesting story.
My guy was a super successful sales executive responsible for growing one of the biggest IT firms of the 1980s. He was between jobs and in a search. One of the potential issues with his prior job was that he was criticized for playing too much golf...
A headhunter he’s working with sets him up with an opportunity to lead a company owned by Jack Stephens. Stephens policy was he would not hire a CEO without spending at least three days with the person. Basically you just were his shadow for a few days. At this time Stephens was not well known in the golf community.
So my guy goes to Little Rock and around noon on the first day Stephens says “we have to go to the airport to check out a potential new jet for the company”. At the airport while reviewing the jet Stephens asks “do you play golf”, nervously but honestly my man answers “yes I am an avid golfer”. Stephens then tells the people were going on a test flight to Augusta.
Stephens had the golf shop set up my man with clothes, clubs and shoes and they spent a day or so getting to know each other at Augusta National!
Ironically a decade later two of this guy’s regular group would get to play there frequently too because of their places in industry, one was very likely on the road to becoming a member when he was given his golden parachute. I had thought he was my golden ticket.
+++++
I’ve only been to a few practice rounds at The Masters but I’ve never experienced better hospitality (it’s a few levels beyond excellent service).
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My former boss's older brother (a long time member at Beverly) used to break stock for big brokerage firm. He wasn't much of a golfer, but loved the game and got invited to travel to, play, and spend the night at Augusta. His host must've been a bigwig. After their round Neil was walking with their host to the clubhouse, and told the host that his friend "Wally" was a great guy, and asked what he did for a living. "Oh, that's Walter Annenberg, he owns REaders Digest and used to be the ambassador to Great Britain."
Another lawyer in my office -- who though a member at Onwentsia never played more than twice a year (if that, and only to bring the guys from the office to guest day) -- once told me that some member had invited him to come down to play at Augusta, but that he told the guy, "thanks, but I don't play much golf. . ." Eddie loves to tell people how crestfallen I looked when he told me that story.
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I played there in 1992, the year I turned 40. One of my partners, from Tennessee, has a close friend in Atlanta who was in the insurance business. He wasn't a golfer, but knew the locals who were. He told my partner "If your friend wants to play Augusta, have him get in touch."
I got in touch. At that time, the week after the tournament, the club hosted "Appreciation Week." They may still. During that week, selected members of the working press, volunteers, and club employees all had a day when they could enjoy the property as they wished. Some brought their families and fished the ponds. More played golf. Club employees could bring a friend to enjoy the day. As it happened, if you knew the right person, you could become a close personal friend of an employee and play the course. I said "Of course and how much?" "$600", he said.
Well needless to say this seemed the bargain of a lifetime. I asked him to put me on the list and let me know what to do.
He sent me the name of his friend, who had played this way for a number of years. I got a room in the Holiday Inn across the street, flew down and met him in the bar the afternoon before we were supposed to play. There were 2 other guys there with me. Our host took our money and sat down at a table across the bar with one of the older caddies from the club. We could see him talking, then getting a bit excited, and they both seemed to be having some kind of tiff. He finally came back over to us and said "Well, he decided he wasn't gonna take the $600, no, he wanted $900. So I told him he could go fuck himself."
We all went pale and felt faint.
"So," he laughed and continued, "he said he'd take the $600, no problem." I ordered a large whisky.
The next day I drove up Magnolia lane, and at the gate I gave my name. It was on the list. As I drove in, I felt like I was entering some kind of fantasy land. At the clubhouse, they couldn't have been nicer. I was given the name of my "friend" and our tee time. In the meantime, I was told to hit balls, play the par three, do whatever I wanted. First, I went to the pro shop. Now this was before any of the property expansion, so this was the member shop. My best find was a the club's edition of Clifford Robert's "The Story of Augusta National Golf Club", signed.
After the par 3, I headed to the tee. We were in carts, but I walked as my new best friend drove. He was 19, a skinny white kid and a member of the greens crew. After the first couple of shots it was clear her would shoot 120 if he played them all down. (He didn't, thankfully) I asked him "Where did you learn to play?" He said "Hell, I ain't never played anywhere but here."
It was a perfect day, a fun round, and when we finished a shop guy told us to head back out if we wanted to replay any holes or just start over and see how many we could get in. We went back to to and played through 15, then to 18 and done. When we returned as the sun was setting, the club had provided tables stacked with pizzas and kegs of beer. I was amazed at how we were treated as valued guests.
I hope someday to experience Augusta with a member, but this was absolutely an unbelievable day.
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Hi Peter, was lucky to play there two weeks before the 2013 tournament. Stayed in the Tennessee cabin, played the course in the morning and the par three in the afternoon.
What struck me so much was how much it resembles any other club, it is very laid back. After dinner my member friend went to bed early and I thought we would have to go back to the cabin with him. But no, we stayed up pretty late with a nice bottle of red and looked through all the great memorabilia they have there. It’s like a museum. Was the quickest and best 24 hours in my life.
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I played there in 1992, the year I turned 40. One of my partners, from Tennessee, has a close friend in Atlanta who was in the insurance business. He wasn't a golfer, but knew the locals who were. He told my partner "If your friend wants to play Augusta, have him get in touch."
I got in touch. At that time, the week after the tournament, the club hosted "Appreciation Week." They may still. During that week, selected members of the working press, volunteers, and club employees all had a day when they could enjoy the property as they wished. Some brought their families and fished the ponds. More played golf. Club employees could bring a friend to enjoy the day. As it happened, if you knew the right person, you could become a close personal friend of an employee and play the course. I said "Of course and how much?" "$600", he said.
Well needless to say this seemed the bargain of a lifetime. I asked him to put me on the list and let me know what to do.
He sent me the name of his friend, who had played this way for a number of years. I got a room in the Holiday Inn across the street, flew down and met him in the bar the afternoon before we were supposed to play. There were 2 other guys there with me. Our host took our money and sat down at a table across the bar with one of the older caddies from the club. We could see him talking, then getting a bit excited, and they both seemed to be having some kind of tiff. He finally came back over to us and said "Well, he decided he wasn't gonna take the $600, no, he wanted $900. So I told him he could go fuck himself."
We all went pale and felt faint.
"So," he laughed and continued, "he said he'd take the $600, no problem." I ordered a large whisky.
The next day I drove up Magnolia lane, and at the gate I gave my name. It was on the list. As I drove in, I felt like I was entering some kind of fantasy land. At the clubhouse, they couldn't have been nicer. I was given the name of my "friend" and our tee time. In the meantime, I was told to hit balls, play the par three, do whatever I wanted. First, I went to the pro shop. Now this was before any of the property expansion, so this was the member shop. My best find was a the club's edition of Clifford Robert's "The Story of Augusta National Golf Club", signed.
After the par 3, I headed to the tee. We were in carts, but I walked as my new best friend drove. He was 19, a skinny white kid and a member of the greens crew. After the first couple of shots it was clear her would shoot 120 if he played them all down. (He didn't, thankfully) I asked him "Where did you learn to play?" He said "Hell, I ain't never played anywhere but here."
It was a perfect day, a fun round, and when we finished a shop guy told us to head back out if we wanted to replay any holes or just start over and see how many we could get in. We went back to to and played through 15, then to 18 and done. When we returned as the sun was setting, the club had provided tables stacked with pizzas and kegs of beer. I was amazed at how we were treated as valued guests.
I hope someday to experience Augusta with a member, but this was absolutely an unbelievable day.
Appreciation day is the last day of the year. It has changed a little. It used to be all volunteers got to come back and play and the employees could bring a guest. Now they pay some of the volunteers and don't invite all back tp play on last day. AND more than one guy has been fired for taking money to "guest" a person.
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Have played three times there. Was surprised at the number of golf carts. I'll bet a good 1/3 to 1/2 of the groups have carts as well as caddies (Don't tell Melvyn :-)
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8) Some great stories posted...
Never played it but went 1 under through Amen Corner at Tour 18 last time... the approach to 11 gives one serious pause, 12 green is really small and distance control essential, and wedging over to the sloped 13 green in 3 and staying dry can be a little nervy for any mortal...
[size=78%] [/size]
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Not yet.
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Still waiting for my invite. Oddly, my Postman appears to have played it as he wears the green cap, polo shirt and green and yellow-striped socks and is always whistling the theme song. Strange, as I’m sure he doesn’t play golf.
Anyway, maybe one day...
F.
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I just hope to see in my lifetime - I am not fussed if I don't get to play it.
I have to convince my wife once the World's borders open up that its worth the premium to travel from Australia to go and watch the Masters in person one day.
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"Appreciation day is the last day of the year. It has changed a little. It used to be all volunteers got to come back and play and the employees could bring a guest. Now they pay some of the volunteers and don't invite all back tp play on last day. AND more than one guy has been fired for taking money to "guest" a person."
Mike-I have no doubt that you're correct that heads have rolled on occasion. And it was "Appreciation Week" then. When I was there, it was pretty obvious that this practice by some of the caddies and crew was winked at since I doubt anything done there is a secret from the powers-that-be. My acquaintance from Augusta had been coming for years.
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Have played three times there. Was surprised at the number of golf carts. I'll bet a good 1/3 to 1/2 of the groups have carts as well as caddies (Don't tell Melvyn :-)
Probably E-Z-GO. also, Ike and Jones.