The History Of Augusta National And The Masters Championship

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Introduction

I. Imagine you are the world’s number one golfer, in the prime of your career at age 28, when you all the sudden decide to retire.
a. Welcome to the world of Bobby Jones, the founder of the Masters tournament.
b. Thesis Statement: This time of the year, it is almost impossible to turn on the television, open the newspaper, or check social media without some mention of the Masters and the course that defines it, Augusta National.
c. As a golfer, it is no surprise that I am intrigued by the Masters.
d. However, golfers and non-golfers alike love to rally around this tournament as one of the top yearly sporting events.

Body

II. The histories of Augusta National and the Masters tournament run parallel with each other.
a. According to Augusta.com, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts founded Augusta National in 1933.
b. The duo bought the 365 acre Fruitland Nurseries for $70,000 in 1931 with the intentions of designing a course for an annual professional tournament.
c. Jones and Dr. Alister Mackenzie designed the course.
d. The course officially opened in January of 1933, less than two years after the land was bought.
e. Jones and Roberts desired for the US Open to be held at Augusta National, but this did not occur for political reasons.
f. Instead, the pair decided to create their own tournament beginning in 1934, thus beginning the legacy of Augusta National.
g. Initially, Bobby Jones was not going to play in his own tournament.
i. Nobody wanted to play in a tournament that Jones himself was not playing in, though, as he has been the favorite to win in all major golf tournaments. ii. Mr. Jones ended up playing, but tied for 13th place. iii. Instead, Horton Smith was the first winner of this tournament. iv. This tourna...

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...nd no cellphones. ii. The club also has no tennis courts or pools. iii. Bill Bennington of the New York Times said, “There is so much you cannot do at Augusta National, it is a wonder the place was not named The Country Club of No.”

Conclusion

V. As what many claim to be the most important and most exciting golf tournament of the year approaches, it is fascinating to reminisce on the history.
a. With all of the hype, an informed viewer can appreciate not only the talent in the field of the tournament, but also the story of how Augusta National and the Masters came to be.
b. The impact of the course expands past the beauty and excitement provided by the layout to the historical details remembered in the course aspects.
c. The all around controversy stipulated by the club stirs up the emotions of golf buffs through highly sought after membership and obsessive rules.

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