Why is masters called the masters

The two decided Augusta, Ga. Soon after opening, it was decided that Augusta National would host a golf tournament, both to give back to the game of golf and as a way of promoting the new club on the national stage. The first-ever recognized Masters winner is Horton Smith , whose four-day total of or four under for the weekend was good enough to best Craig Wood, Billy Burke and Paul Runyan.

Smith also became the first two-time Masters winner ever in , when he outlasted Gene Sarazen en route to his second-ever victory in the tournament. Traditionally, the Masters is held in the first full week of April, a tradition adopted with the Masters name in With rare exception, the tournament has been held annually in the months of March and April for the entirety of its existence.

The tournament was canceled for a number of years during World War II, and was postponed to the fall in due to the Covid pandemic. From to , the PGA of America's "Caucasian-only clause" was a part of the association's bylaws and prevented nonwhites from membership.

The clause was removed at the PGA annual meeting, after a persistent campaign by black golfer Charlie Sifford. At any level of professional golf, it is difficult to find a black or brown person in management or on a board of directors. Golf is a traditionally white sport, with a history of racial segregation.

In recent decades, any formal limitations to black participation have given way to a systemic racism in the game. Even when we attempt to create spots in tournament fields for black or brown golfers, those well-intended actions often are more of a token than anything else. The PGA Tour could do so much more to promote inclusion, but its leadership has lacked the wherewithal. So, back to the Masters, which was postponed from early April until Nov.

The tournament is part of the PGA Tour schedule but run by the host club. Yes, the name should be discussed, but not by the privileged white males. The tournament has become one of the most important events on the annual golf calendar. A return to its original name strikes me as a small step to stand in support of black Americans. Many decisions made in the early days of the Tournament remain today.

Among these are the four-day stroke playing 18 holes each day instead of the then customary 36 holes on the third day, eliminating qualifying rounds, roping the fairways, and denying permission for anyone except the player and caddie to be in the playing area.

A complimentary pairings sheet and a spectator booklet were provided, and commercialization in any form of the Tournament was limited. The first Tournament was held March 22, , and beginning in , the Masters was scheduled each year during the first full week in April. Augusta is home to several modern chain hotels Most folks only think of golf when they think of Augusta. Man, are they missing out! Mild temperatures year-round means exciting adventures The Masters.

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