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The Masters Tournament History

March 22, 1934 marks the first play of the Augusta National Invitation Tournament – as the Masters was originally titled, and before you could watch The Masters online. The winner was Horton Smith. The name “Masters” was introduced in 1939. However, that very first tourney in ’34 had golfers playing holes 10-18 as the “front” nine followed by 1-9 as the “back.” The following year the course play reversed to what is now its present play.

There have been some remarkable golf shots appearing at the Masters including the “Shot heard around the world.” This happened when Gene Sarazen holed a fairway shot on the par-five No. 15 for a “Double Eagle.” He tied Craig Wood. They faced off in a 36-hole playoff where Sarazen out-bested Wood by five strokes.

The Masters was not played during the WWII years of 1943-45. But, in order to give full measure of effort for support of the war, Augusta National became the grazing home for cattle and turkey raising.

The Masters created a number of well-known traditions in its more than three-quarters of a century run. This includes the iconic presentation of the “Green Jacket” to the annual winner – awarded since 1949. The jacket is held for a year by the winner and then returned to the clubhouse. Another tradition Ben Hogan started in 1952m hosting the first Champions Dinner. The event is open only to past champions along with selected board members of the Augusta National Golf Club.

Another tradition started in 1963 presents legendary past champions hitting an honorary tee shot at the beginning of the first round. The list includes such heralded hitters like Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Jock Hutchinson, Fred McLeod, jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Additionally, past greats partake in a semi-social Par 3 competition that is played the day before the Maters first round on a Par-3 course located on the Augusta National Golf Club grounds.

Nicklaus has more championships than any other golfer winning six titles. Palmer and phenom Tiger Woods have four apiece. Gary Palmer (South Africa) won the tourney in 1961 becoming the first non-American champion.

The course opened in 1933 and has been “recreated” many times by several different architects.