Ed Faehr is an avid golfer and golf fan. He has been a PGA certified golf instructor for many years and has been playing nearly all his life. All year long, Ed Faehr is always looking forward to major golf events, especially the annual Master’s Golf Tournament.
The first week of April marks the first major golf championship to played throughout the year. The Master’s Golf Tournament is always held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta Georgia in the United States. It is an invitation event that only offers the opportunity to a select few professional golfers. The tournament is a significant money event for the PGA Tours as well as the Japan Golf Tours and European Tours. With a running tradition that is closing in on its one hundred year mark, the Master’s Golf Tournament has a long established history and traditions that make it unlike any other golfing tournament or championship.
History of the tournament.
The Master’s Golf Tournament first began in 1934 and is now one of the top four major professional golf championships. It is often referred to as simply The Masters or The US Masters. The first tournament was played in Augusta Georgia and is where the tournament takes place every year at the beginning of April. The first tournament started with Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones. This is one of the few tournaments that still adheres to a number of traditions that dates back to decades when it first began.
Traditions of the Master’s Golf Tournament.
In 1949, the first green jacket was awarded to the champion of the Master’s Golf Tournament. One year after being award the jacket the champion must return the jacket. The jacket is then kept stored in a designated cloakroom with other champion jackets.
On the Tuesday before each tournament a Champions Dinner is held for all previous Master’s Golf Tournament champions. It is a tradition that began in 1953 by Ben Hogan.
On the morning of the first round, an honorary tee shot is done, most commonly by a previous champion, to commence the Tournament play. This is a tradition that started in 1963 and some of the champions to be given such honor include:
- Jack Nicklaus
- Arnold Palmer
- Fred McLeod
- Gary Player
- Jock Hutchinson
- Gene Sarazen
Jack Nicklaus won the Master’s six times, he currently holds the record for most wins. Tiger woods and Arnold Palmer each has won the Tournament four times.
The original Master’s Tournament was held to honor the most prestigious amateur golfers since it was established to be an amateur golfer. The invites to the tournament hold true to its first beginners by only invited the most prestigious amateur golfers from around the world.
There is no doubt that the Master’s Golf Tournament is one of the top anticipated sporting events. There are many reasons why this tournament stands out from any other golfing championship, is history and traditions are just a few ways this championship is so unique. It is a highly respected event that intrigues many whether they following along all the championships throughout the year or just watch carefully to this one, it not only brings about crowds of fans but many phenomenal golfers from around the world.
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