Tour News
Augusta, and the Passage of Time
By D.C. Fasciglione
GolfWRX Contributor
Spring. The reawakening of yet another year, a celebration of life and living. There are few places in my mind that symbolize this renewal more so than at the Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga., the site of the year’s first major, The Masters.
For people who are less familiar with golf and its history one tournament may not seem so different from any other. Week to week they may see sprawling green fairways, beach white bunkers, and smartly dressed athletes plying their skills in a contest of strategy, endurance and talent.
Those who are a bit more knowledgeable about the game of golf know each tournament takes on a character of its own. The vista changes, the turf, the sand, the people. The courses themselves have a personality. And then there are the majors.
Of the four majors, the Masters, the British Open, the U.S. Open, and the PGA Championship, only Augusta National, the course of the Masters, is the perennial. The effect of this is significant. Golf fans the world over have come to know the course itself, not just the tournament. The sweeping carpet-like fairways bordered by reddish pine straw. The cavernous white sand bunkers, sharply edged and contrasting with meticulously trimmed grass.
The garden-like setting popping with azaleas and dogwoods.
Augusta’s history begins in 1930, linked to one of golf’s legendary figures, Bobby Jones. The origins of the course are well documented. When Jones retired from competition he joined with Clifford Roberts, an investment banker on Wall Street who helped Jones find a suitable property for his vision. Alister MacKenzie worked with Jones as the principle architect for the course.
Over the years the course has come to represent tradition itself; a hallmark of spring, of southern sensibilities and tradition, and of permanence. Iconic monikers such as “Amen Corner,” the “Eisenhower Tree,” and “Magnolia Lane” serve to perpetuate the sense of mystique and history about the place. Perhaps the most sentimental tradition is that of the Honorary Starters; this year Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player.
Legendary golfers are forever linked with the course; Gene Sarazen’s “Shot heard ’round the world,” the Hogan and Nelson bridges over Rae’s Creek. In more recent times we have witnessed the great Jack Nicklaus reclaim his youth and victory in a thunderous Sunday charge, while we have also been stunned and amazed at the collapse of Greg Norman’s seven-stroke lead on his way to loss, never to achieve the coveted Masters trophy.
And we have also seen the ascension of arguably the world’s greatest golfer ever, Tiger Woods, victorious at Augusta four times, only second to Nicklaus’s amazing six victories.
The year Tiger Woods was born, 1975, Jack Nicklaus won his fifth green jacket. Most remember back to the 16th green, and the “thunderbolt” 45-foot putt up the slope and into the heart of the cup. The Golden Bear was 35 years old and en route to setting a record that stands to this day. Johnny Miller famously stated that Jack “had left bear tracks on the 16th green.”
In 2005, the year Jack Nicklaus played in his final Masters tournament, Tiger Woods won his fourth trophy at Augusta. He was 30 years old. Once again the 16th hole, known as “Redbud,” was the scene of history in the making. Few have problems recalling the chip shot from off the green which hung on the lip, a virtual pose for the cameras, a frozen memory in Augusta’s storied history, before dropping to the bottom of the cup. Tiger would go on to defeat Chris DiMarco on the first sudden death playoff hole to capture victory.
It has been seven years since that victory. Some of that time has been spent recovering from devastating setbacks, both physical and psychological, many brought on by Tiger himself. Yet, perhaps time heals.
There is no way to divine what the future will bring. One thing we can rely upon, however, is that which returns year after year, the passage of Time, and the recognition that our place in time is marked by very special people and events. Yes, it is spring again. Let the Masters begin.
Click here for more discussion in the “Tour Talk” forum.
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News
Photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
GolfWRX is live this week at the Wells Fargo Championship as a field of the world’s best golfers descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, hoping to tame the beast that is Quail Hollow Club in this Signature Event — only Scottie Scheffler, who is home awaiting the birth of his first child, is absent.
From the grounds at Quail Hollow, we have our usual assortment of general galleries and WITBs — including a look at left-hander Akshay Bhatia’s setup. Among the pullout albums, we have a look inside Cobra’s impressive new tour truck for you to check out. Also featured is a special look at Quail Hollow king, Rory McIlroy.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more galleries.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
See what GolfWRXers are saying about our Wells Fargo Championship photos in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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