Masters Tournament

The Masters Tournament is a prestigious men’s professional golf championship held every April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, United States. As the first major of the golf season, it draws a select field of top players and is renowned for its traditions and iconic green jacket.

• Always held at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia
• Winner receives the iconic green jacket
• Champions Dinner is held each Tuesday of Masters week
• Honorary tee shot opens the tournament
• Par 3 Contest played on Wednesday before the main event

What it is

The Masters Tournament is one of golf’s four major championships, marking the start of the professional golf season each April. Unlike other majors that rotate venues, the Masters is always played at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, a course famed for its beauty and challenging design. The event is invitational, with a smaller, elite field of competitors. For players and fans alike, the Masters is steeped in tradition, from the awarding of the green jacket to the Champions Dinner and the ceremonial opening tee shot. It is a week when the world’s best golfers gather to compete for one of the sport’s most coveted prizes.

Where it comes from

The Masters was founded by amateur golf legend Bobby Jones and investment banker Clifford Roberts. After Jones completed his grand slam in 1930, he sought to create a world-class golf course and tournament. He acquired land in Augusta, Georgia, that had once been a plant nursery, and worked with architect Alister MacKenzie to design Augusta National, which opened in 1933. The first tournament, then called the Augusta National Invitation Tournament, was held in 1934. The name 'Masters Tournament' was officially adopted in 1939, and over the decades, it has grown into one of the most prestigious events in golf.

How it is celebrated

The Masters is celebrated through a week of golf and tradition. The tournament begins with an honorary tee shot by legendary past champions on Thursday morning, signaling the start of play. The Champions Dinner, held on Tuesday, brings together previous winners for a private meal. On Wednesday, players and their families take part in the Par 3 Contest, a lighthearted event on a smaller course. The main tournament is played over four days, with players competing for the iconic green jacket, awarded to the champion since 1949. Only first-time and reigning champions may take their jackets off the club grounds, and the winner returns it after a year. The atmosphere is both competitive and reverent, with spectators—known as patrons—enjoying the meticulously maintained grounds and the traditions that make the Masters unique.

Joining in

Visitors to the Masters can expect an atmosphere unlike any other in golf. The tournament is held exclusively at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Tickets are highly sought after and must be secured well in advance. Once inside, patrons experience the lush scenery, azaleas in bloom, and a sense of quiet respect for the game’s traditions. Photography is limited, and the focus is on the play and the storied rituals that define the Masters. Whether watching from the fairways or the grandstands, guests witness golf history in the making each April.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Masters Tournament, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Masters Tournament on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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