Masters

Having watched The Masters on television for years I find there are times when at any golf course when I am standing on the tee or walking down the fairway looking towards the green when the sunlight is forming irregular areas of shade on the green grass, it becomes easy to think on what inspired Bobby Jones to convince Clifford Roberts an astute banker and the golf course architect Dr. Allister Mackenzie to join forces and create his masterpiece. He built his dream course over the 365 acres of the real estate with known as Fruitland Nurseries together with the beautiful local varieties of flowering trees and bushes also had a variety of other exotic species from around the world. One of these is the excellent examples of the magnolia trees that line the entrance driveway to the clubhouse of Augusta National Golf Club. Home of the ‘Masters’.
Jones idea of having his own championship played for by the best golfers in the world, Master golfers playing top class competitive golf, with impeccable sportsmanship playing within the rules of the game he loved, over his most beautiful course, and meticulously prepared for the event. I f not the best course in the world, it is one of the best. An excellent example of all his ideas.

The championship that will be played over this same beautiful golf course for eightieth time this year, started as an invitational event for all his friends to come and play a 72 hole stroke play competition, initially named the Augusta National Masters Championship, now called simply the ‘Masters’. The first of the four championships that make up the Grand Slam of golf.
The USGA´s annual award for sportsmanship is named after Bobby Jones in appreciation of his form of playing this wonderful game. His example, dedication and contribution to the game together with all the other elements should not be spoiled.
There are elements that could go against the dream, which for him came true. It would be a great shame if any of this was lost, due to commercial interests and television audience numbers.

Happy swinging
Tom McCowan.