Crazy Changes Coming to Augusta National
by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 5, 2008 10:50 AM EST
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PrintAugusta National Chair Billy Payne must have been really ticked off at all of the criticism levied on Augusta National and the Masters in the last two years. The course is too long. The rough stinks. Birdies aren't possible. It's too dry out there.
Well, Mr. Payne responded by making Augusta National shorter for the first time in 28 years.
David Westin reports in the Augusta Chronicle that Payne is SLASHING 10 yards off of the total length of the course. And, that two more tees were extended to allow for up to an additional 20 yards of sweet shortness. That makes for 30 total yards available to come off of the Masters card next April. Oh yeah!
Here is a list of the mind-blowing changes to Augusta National:
NO. 1: Back of tee reduced 7 yards to improve patron traffic flow between the tee and the practice putting green. Tee marker relocated and Masters scorecard changed from 455 yard to 445 yards. Green rebuilt for agronomic reasons and a heating and cooling system installed.
NOS. 5-6: Greens rebuilt for agronomic reasons, and heating and cooling systems installed.
NO. 7: Significant landscaping completed on the rear of the tee to reforest a large area which was left open because of the removal of a tournament storage building in 2005. An additional 10 yards added to the front of the tee without necessitating a change in length to the hole.
NO. 15: Eight to 9 yards added to the front of the tee, and a couple of trees removed on the right side of the fairway. Scorecard yardage remained 530 yards.
On a less sarcastic note, I wonder if these changes may set up a more incremental approach to backing down from the litany 2002-2007 changes and transform ANGC to a more flexible golf course.
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it's not the length
it’s the greens ! These greens were never intended to run 12-15 on the stimp meter. They were built with old burmuda grass that allowed balls to stay on the green and not run 15’ by if you breathe on it a little too hard.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Very much agree
The water system allows ANGC to take the course to the brink of being unplayable. That’s really not necessary to have a great tournament.
by Ryan Ballengee on Nov 5, 2008 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
definitely
I really hate seeing how the PGA Tour or the USGA treat other people’s greens. I’ve heard stories of members who were absolutely furious with the conditions after a tournament. Grass just isn’t supposed to be abused like that – especially in the summer. If it takes weeks for greens to recover – or worse, have to be replanted because the PGA Tour or USGA thinks they have to be as fast as concrete – then they are out of line.
The R&A has the right idea. Play great courses and set them up to be difficult, but not unreasonable. If great players shoot great scores – then so be it.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
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