The Masters: What Makes Augusta National America’s Best Golf Course?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 30, 2011

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Gary Player, who won the Masters three times on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, once said of the famed Georgia course, "When I think of Augusta, I think of great beauty. I've always said if they have a golf course like this in heaven, I hope I'm the golf pro there one day."

Three factors separate great golf courses from good golf courses: property, design and resources. 

The property in Georgia that Bobby Jones and a few other businessmen bought in 1931 for $15,000 is nothing short of spectacular.

The design by Alister MacKenzie, with more than a little help from Jones himself, is nothing shy of brilliant.

And the resources available for the upkeep of this unique golf course are unequaled.

Getting an A+ in any one of these three factors is impressive for a golf course. Two of them make you one of the best golf courses in the world. Scoring the highest grade in all three arguably puts you on the very top of the heap.

I recently had a chance to visit with one of the great former golf course superintendents of Augusta National, Billy Fuller.  Billy was head man at Augusta from 1981 through 1986, and was the superintendent during the infamous 1986 Masters won by 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus.

One of the things Billy spoke to me about was how Augusta is, and always has been, at the forefront of golf course maintenance technology.

"Being a part of the conversion from Bermuda grass/over-seeded greens to bentgrass in 1981 (and push-up greens to USGA greens) was the beginning of a new era for the club and the tournament," Billy said.

"They allowed me to be as innovative as possible...We also designed and installed the first heat/air system underneath a golf green on hole No. 12. I also remember how enjoyable it was to be the recipient of so many innovations from others who wished to have you test their prototypes (whatever they might be). We were always...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Golf

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