This year’s changes at Augusta National are with the patron experience in mind. Tournament coordinator Billy Payne said "Refinements to the golf course and grounds have been made almost every year since the tournament’s inception and this year was no exception".
Since Tiger’s dominating performance at Augusta in 1997, a series of changes to the course by consulting architect Tom Fazio have created a public debauchery. The golf community has criticized tournament organizers for constnatnly changing the course in ways that fail to aligwith the original values of Jones and MacKenzie. With a stated emphasis on enhancing the game for the players and patrons alike, these changes come at holes 1, 7, 9 and 11.
On the first hole, ten yards were added to the front of the back tee decks lending itself to "providing more flexibility in the event of a strong northwest wind" said Billy Payne. At other holes, the primary goals were to enhance patron viewing. In particular, No. 11 has had several trees removed; and at No. 16 a new viewing area will allow up to 2000 spectators to bear witness to events at holes 6, 15, 16, and 17. Changes more directly affecting the course’s playability come at 7 and 9. Both have had work done to the greens, sited for agronomic reasons, adding a few extra options for pin locations.
In the last 10 years, Fazio’s attempts to ‘Tiger Proof’ and ‘Protect Par’, have added well over 500 yards to the course; greens have been altered and bunkers reshaped. Jack Nicklaus told golf digest "I think they’ve ruined it from a tournament standpoint". "Gone, according to Nicklaus, is the second-shot philosophy favored by Jones and any realistic hope of an average-length player winning a green jacket" wrote Bill Fields.
When speaking about Bobby Jones we undoubtedly tell a tale of diversity and steadfast honour. Much more than a golfer we remember Jones as a lawyer, a business man, an engineer, a writer, a father and a legend. Yet when talking about the course on which he gracefully left as his legacy to the golfing world, our conversations of modern day have been focused criticisms. Even if justified in many cases, we the media often forget to embrace the good of Augusta.
Of all people, Jones was an advocate for making the game more accessible in all aspects. That is what Augusta is attempting to do this year for the patrons at No.1, 16 and even at 11. Also holding true to this value, this year a new junior pass initiative will allow kids ages 8-16 to be admitted to the grounds for free, when accompanied by an adult.
Some criticisms of course alterations over the years have gone so far as to make comparisons to plastic surgery gone wrong. It is seemingly forgotten that knives can not transform the sole. Augusta’s face may change, as will those of the players who grace the fairways, but the underlying values of the game that Jones and MacKenzie poured into the land surrounded with Georgia Pines will not be forgotten by the patrons.
It’s a celebration of Amen Corner’s 50th year this week, which gives me hope that when talking about Augusta National the topic of choice will be one with a positive tone. Whether it be watching the tee shots over Rae’s Creek, the drama at the 13th, or when we watch that final putt on 18, let’s take a moment to honour the values taught to us by Jones and MacKenzie.
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Jenn van Kleef
Apr 16, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Another very interesting read by Mr Hitchins. Very interesting tibits of information I had no idea of. Keep the articles coming!