The Masters is the first, and in my opinion, the most prestigious tournament on the current schedule. It is played at Augusta National in Georgia; making it the only major to be played on the same course each year.
The tournament was founded by the legendary Bobby Jones and was first played in 1934. On the day before the tournament, the players compete in a par-3 competition. This is a great event where you see family members and celebrities as caddies for the best players in the world. No one has done the double of winning the par-3 and the main event and such is the superstition around this, you often see players ‘dropping shots’ or allowing their caddies to have a hit so not ruin their chances of winning the ‘green jacket’.
The event has a number of quirky traditions which make this a true centre-piece of the sporting calendar. This is never more apparent than the ‘uniform’ worn by the caddies which include a white jumpsuit, white tennis shoes, and a green Master’s cap. The course is kept in immaculate condition and such is the mystic of Augusta it is rumoured that brown patches of grass are spray-painted green and bird noises are played artificially.
Frustratingly, Augusta is a private members club and the closest many of us will ever get to playing it is watching the event on T.V. Given this is the Mecca of golf, no price is too high for this course.