AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Masters — or more specifically the people who run the tournament— catches a lot of grief, some of it justified, for being set in its ways.
The Lords of Augusta, however, should be credited when things go well, and this year there seems to be numerous examples of that.
Last year, tournament chairman Billy Payne announced the reinstatement of the policy in which winners of full-field events on the PGA Tour automatically qualified for the Masters. There are seven such winners in the field this year, including Johnson Wagner, who became the last man into the tournament after winning in Houston last weekend.
“It almost brought me to tears, watching him react,” Payne said.
On Wednesday, the tournament announced a promotion encouraging golf fans to register on one of five websites, including one each in the United Kingdom and Japan, to give their thoughts on how the game can be improved.
“We want to know: how can we capture the interest of children in this great game, can golf be made easier, why did it take so long to play, what is the best way to get kids involved at an early age?” Payne said.
One step made here this year allows children between the ages of 8 and 16 free admission with an adult badge holder. Citing club policy, Payne didn’t talk about how many kids would take advantage of the free access, or what he would say to any little girls who attended and then asked if she could join the club.
Augusta National doesn’t allow female members.
Par-3 as promo.
The Masters allowed ESPN to televise the annual par-3 tournament for the first time, a move decried by some as a money grab, but defended by others as a sign of progress.
“You can’t imagine how much this will do in terms of growing the game,” said Joe Steranka, the CEO of the PGA of America. “People will see players out there with their families, and how much fun they’re having. It will encourage them to get out together.”
The event was won by Rory Sabbatini, who finished at 5-under-par on the nine-hole course. The victory has proven to be somewhat ominous in the past, as no winner of the par-3 has ever gone on to win the Masters.
