A Special Place in Augusta

The Augusta National - a place of mystique and wonder for golf lovers and the yearly host of the world-renowned Masters Tournament - is more than a mere symbol of the game of golf and those who cherish the sport. The Augusta National is a hallmark of the South and epitomizes the values, finesse, and etiquette of the old South.

Strolling down Magnolia Lane toward the clubhouse, you are transported to a different time and place, from the South of the modern era, with its bustling cities and traffic, offices and factories, and malls and supermarkets, to an exclusive men’s club with all the best attributes of the old South at its very heart. While living, playing, and watching the game which the club’s members hold so dear, they dutifully exhibit the unbreakable codes of etiquette, honor, and basic hospitality which make the club uniquely Southern. While the rest of the world flies by, the Augusta National makes a subtle statement about the core values of old which are sometimes forgotten in the region today.

My grandfather was a member of the Augusta National, and as you might expect, he absolutely loved the game of golf. Originally from the wild western state of Montana, he also loved the traditions associated with the South and with the club. From the club’s continued insistence to remain a men’s only club - well within their rights as a private club - to their classic stance on continuing to use traditional, rather than digital, leader boards, the club maintains important traditions and values of old. For anyone who has ever been to the Masters tournament, you know what I mean when I say that Southern Hospitality is alive and well in Augusta. However, at the same time, strict codes of conduct are enforced. If you were to sneak in a cell phone or a camera at the Masters and interrupt a player’s thought process, you would likely be escorted from the grounds by a Pinkerton and have your badges revoked in perpetuity. Running, lying down, and a plethora of other behaviors are strictly prohibited on the grounds as well.

The layout of the course and the architecture are also very reminiscent of the old plantations of the South. The wonderful magnolias, azaleas, and even the pine trees make the course a special place, as the groundskeepers and crews can attest. And while there are more than a few aspects of our Southern heritage that are downright shameful, somehow, the best of the our history seems to survive through this golf course. This is a representation of the old South; this is the Augusta National.

As an aside, I think it’s important for all of you Techies to know that Bobby Jones graduated from none other than GA Tech in 1922 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He was also the President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at GT.

[Image c/o http://www.legacygolfart.com/]