Tee off with the Masters

Over the next 10 days, through these pages, we will try to create the magic and mystique of the most famous Golf Tournament in the world.

We invite you to stay with this column during this time. Hopefully, you will not only enjoy the tournament but also the setting in which this jewel of a tournament is being held.

The 18 hole layout of the championship golf course, together with yardages is presented, so as to enable you to track the fortunes of the final contenders. It is already one of the longer courses in the world, at 7445 yards. Each narrow fairway is guarded by magnificent pine trees dating back to over 150 years.

There are famous holes where anything is possible, from eagles to double bogies, and the best players in the world have achieved both! The approach to the club house from the main gate is via the 330 yard Magnolia lane, so called because of the 61 splendid 150-year old magnolia trees lining it. Located in front of the club house is the Founders Circle, featuring two plaques honouring founding members Robert Tyre Jones Jr. (the legendary golfer) and Clifford Roberts.

The traditional southern hospitality is very much in evidence inside the club. There is no rush or hustle and bustle; one is guided to proceed with consideration for others .... and it works!

This tournament is unique because it is the only major tournament in the world that has been played on the same course, same venue since 1932; all other majors shift venues annually. In the process, a mystique has developed around the Masters Championship. The other majors are The Open in the UK, the US Open and the

PGA Championship of the USA. Owing to its uniqueness, the Masters Championship is able to command certain terms that no other major (or any other tournament in the world) is able to garner. Some of these are:

1. Except for golf equipment (golf clubs, balls, bags, caps etc), only the Masters brand (green background with a yellow USA and a pin locating Augusta) is allowed on the course. Famous soft drink makers (one of which is headquartered in nearby Atlanta) and other famous brands are compelled to display their wares only outside the premises, or not at all.

2. The television rights are strictly with the Masters Committee. Any untoward remark by the network relating to caste, creed, sex or any unfortunate innuendo relating to the above would cause the network to be pulled out for ever. The number of hours of transmission is restricted so as to bring excitement and palpable suspense for viewing basically the last nine holes each day. Since the tournament is held on Thursday through Sunday in the first full week in April, one could easily know the future dates.

Augusta National Club, set in 365 acres and covered with pines, is a private club. Membership is exceedingly difficult. The members are always welcome to recommend changes/improvements; if the committee approves the recommendation the bill is sent to the recommending member.

Through the last 70 years or so, as Masters history was in the making, the tournament itself and the club/course premises have become vested with many landmarks which celebrate the greatest players the game has ever known. Additionally, the critically difficult areas of the course where the final outcome of a championship may be often decided, have become a part of lore.

Amen Corner is the most famous of these comprising the second half of the 11th hole, the 12th hole and the first half of the 13th hole (see map). Many a potential winner has come to grief here. Amen!

In front of the 12th green is Rae's Creek where Red Indians would often base themselves before attacking Fort Augusta on the Savannah river. Many balls lie (full fathom five?) at the bottom of this creek.

Ike's Tree, named for President Eisenhower, some 200 yards down the 17th fairway that attracted Ike's drives so often that he wanted it to be cut down. The committee refused the President, of course, and hence this has become the most famous loblolly pine in the world.

The Big Oak Tree, again over a hundred years old, adjacent to the club house, is the favourite meeting place on the course and many interviews with players are held under its arboreal canopy.

There are three bridges at the course. These are dedicated to Ben Hogan (Hogan Bridge) at the 12th green, Byron Nelson (Nelson Bridge) at the 13th tee and Gene Sarazen (Sarazen Bridge) at the 15th green (to celebrate Gene's double eagle "" the shot heard around the world! "" on April 7, 1935). These have acquired a nostalgic aura.

With no more bridges on the course and needing to honour Arnold Palmer (four Masters victories) and Jack Nicklaus (six Masters victories) who made huge contributions to the worldwide sport of golf and competitive championship play, a plaque on the Drinking Fountain behind the 16th tee honours Palmer and a plaque between the 16th and the 17th holes honours Nicklaus.

Surely there will be one to Tiger Woods in due course; at this point his great work has only just begun. All these are part of any visitor's pilgrimage.

In 1952, defending champion Bobby Jones gave a dinner for all past champions. Culture grows from one good act. The Championship Dinner is now an annual feature. The defending champion selects the menu and acts as a host, and only Masters champions are invited.

Attending champions have had to stomach German food (Langer), Scottish food (Lyle), Texas food (Crenshaw), cheeseburger/ milkshakes (Tiger Woods), Far Eastern food (Vijay Singh) and Canadian food (Weir). Will they ever have curry? (Jeev Singh)!

Finally, the 1937 tradition that calls for the defending champion to assist the new champion into a Green Jacket has become the most visible symbol of the greatest golf tournament on earth. Who will wear it this year?