Re: The Masters.

I think the former winners format is what seperates it. Now, should it be a major? I think I opted to drop it in another thread (I think Majors should be Opens, and that everyone should have to qualify, save maybe an exemption for the top 15 or 20 from the USPGA and EPGA).

Re: The Masters.

I am not sure our opinions matter. Augusta has always done it's own thing. I think allowing past champions back year in and year out is what seperates it and one of the things that the top golfers want to achieve.

The other thing is the money at that course is unbelievable (able to go without sponsers if necessary) the players are treated as royalty, the members of Augusta are some of the most powerful corporate leaders in America and the players, that for the players the experience is not like any other tourney. Even the fans behavior is closely monitored and the fans are kicked out for even minor offenses like running, yelling etc. all of which leads to the players experience.

Personally I think having one Major where a golfer has to have played well in the past to qualify for the tournement and not be able to get in by having a hot couple weeks prior is not a bad thing.

On the other hand I think that having one of the Majors on such a unique type course (poor driving not penalized much, exteremly fast greens, a lot of length, smale greens....) leads to the possibility that a person can inflate their major win totals just by dominating one golf course that suits their game (having a lot of length and a great short game) Tiger has won 4 times there and probably is an even money to win there just about any year and when it i all said and done he should be able to surpass Jacks major totals and 40% of those might be from Augusta. It also eliminates a lot of the golfers in the Field before the event even occures, I know Funk has gone on the record that he really does not have a chance, that at some of those smale greens he has to play a long iron and has little chance of hitting them.

Bob

Re: The Masters.

Hello, from augusta, georgia.

The Masters is a major that has defined itself as a major in its "own" class.
This is my sixth time coming to this tournament and I am still amazed and get goose bumps whenever i enter the grounds. I can't say this about any other major or golf tournament. I have never been to the brittish so I cant say either way. In my judgement thought this tournament is more distinctive than the brittish due to the fact that the course is truly amazing not everyone can play or see it), the international field, and the fact that they make the rules up and dont care what others think.
If you have never seen the course the television or pictures cannot describe it. Especially when it comes to the greens. Television cannot even come close to seeing how much undulation is involved with these putts. The grass is greener, the sand is whiter, and the surrounding areas are defined by one word. "perfect."

Let me get off the subject. The other great thing about this tournament is the lack of comercialization. No ads, no banners, not even a hint of the tournament trying to make money off of the patrons.
My four day badge $175
Beer $2.00
Chicken Breast Sadwich $1.75
Ham, Turkey, Pimento $1.50
Coke $1.00
all of the above items include 7% tax

The items in the gift shop are reasonably priced. At the us open water is 6 bucks. You want a decent shirt, 170 bucks..Not in augusta...Not only due they take care of the players but they take care of the "patrons," not fans. It is true though about slipping up.....you bring a camera in, a cell phone, get too rowdy...bam! your badge is taken away for life.....if the badge belongs to your grandma, or company...you got some explaining to do.....If the masters finds out you sold your badge to someon else for profit....well you guessed it....

No other major can top this. I reccomend to all to buy a masters badge and experience this first hand. I do plan on coming over for the brittish or other Euro events. The only thing i can knock the masters tournament is television coming on late through the rounds. I think they should broadcast it like the brittish and not make the fans experience only the highlights of the early tee times.

On a further note I think the conservative hootie will make the following changes over the next few years. They will not lengthen it anymore. They will increase the rough (right now it isnt a rough....the length of the rough is the second cut in most majors) and they will restrict the balls to one design and possibly restrict them to smaller sizes....

ed