In 1932, golf legend Bobby Jones and financier Clifford Roberts transformed Augusta, Georgia’s defunct Fruitland Nurseries into the Augusta National Golf Club. Facing financial challenges, they inaugurated the Masters Tournament in 1934 to generate revenue.
The 1935 tournament featured Gene Sarazen‘s remarkable double eagle on the 15th hole, dubbed the “shot heard round the world. ” This shot propelled Augusta National into the golfing spotlight.
What Is The History Of Augusta National Golf Club
The story of Augusta National Golf Club begins with Bobby Jones, golf’s first Grand Slam champion, and Clifford Roberts, a shrewd financier.
In 1931, Jones retired from competitive play at age 28 and envisioned a private sanctuary where strategy trumped brute force. He found his canvas in Augusta, Georgia, on the 365-acre site of Fruitland, a defunct antebellum plantation turned nursery.
“The land was so perfectly undulating, it felt like God built it for golf,” Jones said. Partnering with British architect Alister MacKenzie, they crafted wide fairways and devilish greens, but the Great Depression nearly doomed the project. By 1933, membership fees stalled at 350, and unpaid bills spiled up, including 10,000 owed to a toilet paper supplier.
Roberts salvaged the club by founding the Masters Tournament in 1934.
Originally named the “Augusta National Invitation,” its first winner, Horton Smith, earned $1,500.
The tournament’s fame exploded in 1935 when Gene Sarazen holed a 4-wood from 235 yards on the 15th for an albatross, the “shot heard round the world.” Ed Dudley, the club’s first pro, later called it “the moment Augusta became sacred ground.”
The course evolved with golf’s giants. Dwight D. Eisenhower, a member from 1948 to 1969, famously despised the loblolly pine on the 17th (the Eisenhower Tree), which blocked his tee shots.
After members rejected his 1956 proposal to remove it, nature intervened an ice storm toppled it in 2014.
Eisenhower’s legacy endures at Ike’s Pond, a fishing spot he designed in 1949, and the Eisenhower Cabin, a lodge equipped with Cold War-era Secret Service tech.
Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts chose Augusta, Georgia, as the site for their golf course in 1931.
They selected the 400-acre Fruitlands Nurseries, a former indigo plantation once owned by Belgian Baron Louis Berckmans.
The property featured a 14-room manor house, the South’s first concrete building, and bordered Augusta Country Club, where Jones had won the Southeastern Open.
Augusta, established in 1735 as an inland port, offered an ideal location for winter golf. Its history and natural beauty made it the perfect foundation for what became Augusta National Golf Club.
The Augusta National Invitation Tournament was first held March 22–25, 1934, at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
Horton Smith won by one stroke over Craig Wood. Renamed the Masters in 1939, it has since become one of the world’s major cultural and sporting events.
Bobby Jones played in 12 Masters Tournaments, serving as a host for the newly created event.
In 1948, he played in his final tournament because of a diagnosis of syringomyelia, a degenerative spinal disease. He would serve as the non-playing host until 1968, three years before his death.
Facilities and Grounds At Augusta National Inc.
Berckmans Place at Augusta National Membership
- $10,000 (entry pass for Berckmans Place)
- $6,000 (previous entry pass for Berckmans Place)
- $100,000 – $300,000 (membership cost)
- Less than $30,000 (annual dues)
This 90,000-square-foot hospitality complex, built in 2012 on land once owned by Fruitland’s founders, offers $10,000 entry passes. A haven for elites like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, it features gourmet Southern cuisine and a replica of the 12th hole for putting practice.
Masters Course At Augusta National
The Masters Course at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, United States of Georgia, is a par-72 course measuring 7,510 yards. Designed by Bobby Jones and Alister MacKenzie, it was founded in 1932. Since 1934, it has hosted the annual Masters Tournament, one of golf’s four major championships.
How Did Amen Corner Get Their Name
The 11th, 12th, and 13th holes, coined “Amen Corner” by writer Herbert Warren Wind in 1958, decimate contenders. Jordan Spieth’s 2016 quadruple-bogey here cost him the Masters, while Ben Crenshaw credited a ghostly pep talk from late caddie Carl Jackson during his 1995 win.
What Are The Big Oak Trees at Augusta National
Planted in the 1850s near the Clubhouse, this 80-foot live oak shades legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus during the Champions Dinner.
Eisenhower Tree At Augusta National
The former President’s nemesis guarded the 17th fairway until 2014. Sam Snead once joked, “Ike hated that tree more than he hated Stalin.”
Who Owns Ike’s Pond at Augusta National Golf Club
A 3-acre fishing pond designed by Eisenhower in 1949, stocked with bass and bream. Members like Peyton Manning cast lines here during quiet mornings.
Why Is It Called Rae’s Creek
Named for 18th-century settler John Rae, this waterway swallows approach shots at the 12th and 13th. Greg Norman’s 1996 collapse here remains golf’s most haunting “what-if.”
Sarazen Bridge at Augusta National
A stone span at the 15th commemorates Gene Sarazen’s 1935 albatross. Nick Price called it “the bridge between Augusta’s past and present.”
Key Milestones: The Evolution of Augusta National
- 1931: Jones and Roberts secure the Augusta site.
- 1934: First Masters (then “Augusta National Invitation”) held; Horton Smith triumphs.
- 1935: Sarazen’s albatross immortalizes the course.
- 1949: Eisenhower designs Ike’s Pond.
- 2014: The Eisenhower Tree falls after 58 years.
How Much is Augusta National Membership
Augusta National’s initiation fee is estimated at 100,000–300,000, with annual dues under $30,000. In contrast, money alone won’t secure a spot. Membership is strictly by invitation only, and how to become a member at Augusta National Golf Club requires navigating a secretive process.
What Is So Special About Augusta National
Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament, is golf’s most iconic venue.
Founded in 1933 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, its beauty lies in flawless design, wide fairways, treacherous greens, and blooming azaleas.
Landmarks like Amen Corner (holes 11-13) and Rae’s Creek test even the pros, while traditions like the Green Jacket ceremony and Champions Dinner make it timeless.
Unlike public courses, Augusta’s exclusivity adds mystique: members include CEOs, politicians, and legends, but details about its inner workings stay fiercely guarded.
How Many Notable Members at Augusta National Golf Cub
A secretive roster includes CEOs (Ginni Rometty of IBM, Lou Gerstner), politicians (Condoleezza Rice, Sam Nunn), and athletes (Peyton Manning). Initiation fees (100,000–300,000) and annual dues (under $30,000) fund luxuries like the Practice Range, redesigned by Tom Fazio in 2010.
Who are the wealthiest members of Augusta
Augusta National Golf Club, renowned for its exclusivity, counts among its members several of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Notable affluent members include:
- Warren Buffett: CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, with a net worth exceeding $100 billion.
- Bill Gates: Co-founder of Microsoft, also with a net worth of over $100 billion.
- Annika Sörenstam: Hall of Fame golfer and one of the most successful female golfers in history.
Who is The Chairman at Augusta National
From Clifford Roberts (1934–1976), who enforced strict dress codes, to Fred Ridley (2017–present), who introduced the Women’s Amateur in 2019, leaders balance tradition with modernity.
2002 Membership Controversy at Augusta National
Martha Burk of the National Council of Women’s Organizations challenged Augusta’s all-male policy. Chairman Hootie Johnson refused to “be bullied at the point of a bayonet,” but pressure from sponsors like IBM (then led by Ginni Rometty) led to Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore’s 2012 induction.
Who Are The Green Jackets at Augusta
Introduced in 1949 to distinguish members from patrons, the Green Jacket became golf’s most coveted prize. Winners keep theirs for one year; T. Boone Pickens famously wore his only at the club. A 1954 rule bars removal from Augusta’s grounds Gary Player’s jacket, taken to South Africa, was discreetly returned.
Can Anyone Wear a Green Jacket At The Masters
Only two groups wear the Green Jacket publicly: the reigning Masters champion and Augusta National members. Winners keep theirs for one year before returning it to the club (they can wear it on-site afterward).
Members, CEOs, politicians, and athletes like Condoleezza Rice or Peyton Manning wear theirs only at Augusta. Even legends like Jack Nicklaus can’t stroll a PGA Tour event in one. Want to try one on? Visit the club’s locker room if invited.
Do Members at Augusta Get Green Jackets
Yes, but with strings. Members receive a Green Jacket after their first year, tailored by Cincinnati’s Hamilton Tailoring Co.
But strict rules apply: wear it only on club grounds. Gary Player learned this the hard way his jacket, taken to South Africa in 1961, was discreetly retrieved.
Members like Warren Buffett stash theirs in Augusta’s locker rooms. Own the jacket? You’ll never truly “own” it.
How Many Masters Green Jackets Are There
Estimates suggest ~400 exist. Augusta National orders ~30 annually, but only for new members or sizing updates.
Past champions return theirs post-year, stored in the clubhouse. Exceptions? Horton Smith’s 1936 jacket resurfaced in 2013, selling for $682,000.
Members keep theirs until resignation or death. Then, the club reclaims them. Total count? A secret tighter than Sunday pin placements.
Who Owns The Augusta Green Jacket
Augusta National always owns the Green Jacket. Champions “borrow” theirs for a year; members “lease” theirs while active.
Even Tiger Woods’ 2019 jacket sits in Augusta’s vault now. Only two left legally: Horton Smith’s (pre-1949 rule) and one gifted to Ben Hogan in 1953.
When a 1994 jacket was sold in 2017, the club sued to block it. Lesson? The jacket’s yours until it’s not.
Who Owns Caddies At Augusta National Golf Club
Until 1983, players used club-hired Caddies like Willie “Pappy” Stokes, who looped for Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. Carl Jackson, a local caddie for 52 Masters, carried Ben Crenshaw’s bag during his emotional 1995 win. Today, pros like Jordan Spieth bring personal caddies, but Augusta’s white coveralls remain a tradition.
How Many Appearances In Video Games At Augusta National
EA Sports’ Tiger Woods PGA Tour (2008–2015) featured Augusta, but licensing disputes later removed it. Annika Sörenstam, an honorary member since 2024, quipped, “The game’s pixels can’t capture Rae’s Creek’s cruelty.”
FAQs: Augusta National & The Masters
Who designed Augusta National Golf Club?
Bobby Jones (golf legend) and Clifford Roberts (financier) co-founded the club in 1933. Architect Alister MacKenzie shaped the course, blending strategy with the natural terrain of Augusta, Georgia’s former Fruitland Nursery.
What is Amen Corner?
The nickname for holes 11, 12, and 13—the tournament’s most treacherous stretch. Coined in 1958 by writer Herbert Warren Wind, it’s where Jordan Spieth lost his lead in 2016, and Ben Crenshaw found magic in 1995.
How much does Augusta National membership cost?
100,000–300,000, with annual dues under $30,000. But you can’t apply for membership by invitation only. Notable members include Condoleezza Rice and Warren Buffett.
Can women join Augusta National?
Yes, since 2012. Pressure from the National Council of Women’s Organizations led Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore to become the first female members.
Why was the Eisenhower Tree removed?
A 2014 ice storm destroyed the iconic loblolly pine on the 17th hole. Dwight D. Eisenhower had lobbied to remove it since 1956, but members voted to keep it… until nature decided.
What happens to a winner’s Green Jacket?
Champions keep it for one year, then return it to Augusta. They can only wear it on-site afterward. Exceptions? Horton Smith’s 1936 jacket is privately owned—it sold for $682,000 in 2013.
Do players use Augusta’s caddies?
Not anymore. Until 1983, club-hired Caddies like Carl Jackson (Ben Crenshaw’s looper) were mandatory. Today, pros bring their own, but they must wear Augusta’s white coveralls.
Has Augusta National ever been in a video game?
Yes, EA Sports’ Tiger Woods PGA Tour (2008–2015) featured the course. Licensing issues later removed it, but Annika Sörenstam joked, “The real 12th hole is crueler than any pixel.”
How many Green Jackets exist?
Roughly 400, but Augusta National tightly controls them. Members return theirs upon resignation or death. Only two exist outside the club’s vault: Horton Smith’s and one gifted to Ben Hogan in 1953.
How old is Augusta National?
Augusta National Golf Club was established in 1933, making it 92 years old as of 2025. Founded by golf legend Bobby Jones and financier Clifford Roberts, the club has hosted the Masters Tournament annually since 1934, cementing its legacy as one of golf’s most iconic venues
When was the first Black member of Augusta National admitted?
The club admitted its first Black member in September 1990, following public pressure during the PGA Championship at Shoal Creek, a club criticized for exclusionary policies. Augusta National Chairman Hord Hardin confirmed the inclusion of a “black gentleman” among new members but did not disclose names.
Who owns Augusta National?
The club is owned by Augusta National Inc., a private, for-profit corporation founded in 1935 by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. The company also owns the Masters Tournament and maintains strict financial secrecy. Current leadership includes Chairman Fred Ridley, who has held the role since 2017.
When were women allowed to play at Augusta National?
Women were granted membership starting in 2012 when former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore became the first female members. Prior to this, only wives of male members could play the course. The club later expanded inclusivity by hosting the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2019
Conclusion
In 1933, Augusta National Golf Club faced financial hardship, with unpaid bills and declining membership threatening its existence. Co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts introduced the Augusta National Invitation Tournament in 1934, later known as the Masters, to generate revenue.
The tournament gained prominence after Gene Sarazen’s 1935 “Shot Heard Round the World,” securing the club’s future. Despite this success, the club’s exclusive, all-male membership policy drew criticism. In 2012, under public pressure, Augusta National admitted its first female members, Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore.
This move marked a significant step toward inclusivity, yet the club remains known for its secretive membership practices and substantial fees.
Posts References:
Augusta National on Wikipedia → Link to Wikipedia entry for comprehensive entity reference.