Amazing Facts about Golf Master Tournament

Golf is a charming and alluring game which is full of challenge. The Masters Tournaments also known as The Masters is one of the most important majors in golf. The other majors are the US Open, the British open and the PGA Championship. It is scheduled in the very first week of April. Also it is the opening of the majors that are played every year. It is very amazing that it is held each year at the same place that is Augusta National Golf Club, a private golf club in Georgia, USA, not like the other major championships which are held at different places.

Traditions:

• Along with the pretty attractive cash prizes the winner is awarded a green jacket since 1949, which remains with the winner for one year and is to be returned to the clubhouse.
• The winner becomes a stunning member of the club.
• On the Tuesday just before any tournament, The Champions dinner which was inaugurated by Ben Hogan in 1952 is held and precedent champions and certain golf board members of are invited in that.
• Along with these privileges, winners are given special privileges like invitation to play in the other three majors for next five years, membership on the PGA tour and a permanent invitation to the Masters.

Broadcast:

• In US live radio coverage has been provided since 1956 by Westwood One. This coverage is also available for golf lovers on the Masters website.
• BBC provides live updates in UK since 1986.
• Other channels are also providing radio broadcasts.
• ESPN International network has broadcast rights for the intact tournament in most of the other countries which include countries from Asia, Latin America, Northern America, and Middle East.

Tickets:

It is very difficult to get the ticket of Masters, even though they are not much costly. This is so because the tickets are sold only to members of a regulars list which is closed. Waiting list for regulars was opened in 1972 and closed in 1978. It was opened again in 2000 and was closed afterwards.

Some Interesting Facts:

• Reigning champion of the Champions’ dinner held before the Masters tournament on Tuesday decides menu and pays the bill.
• Horton Smith was the first golfer to win Masters twice in 1934 and in 1936.
• The first US open was played in 1895 and by 1901 it had not achieved much recognition with public.
• No player holds a modern Grand Slam but the following hold the career Grand Slams in all four majors:
• Men
• Gene Sarazen
• Ben Hogan
• Gary Player
• Jack Nikalus
• Tiger Woods
• Women
• Pat Bradley
• Juli Inkster
• Annika Sorenstam
• Loise Suggs
• Karrie Webb
• Mickey Wright

• Pat Bradley’s mother stood on the family’s front porch and rand a Swiss cowbell each time on Pat Bradley won a tournament.
• First recipient of the prestigious green jacket was Sam Snead in 1949.