AUGUSTA NATIONAL
This course could be the best in the world, certainly of those that host tournaments. It was carved out of an old fruit nursery by Dr Alister MacKenzie and Bobby Jones in the 1930s. MacKenzie, who also designed Royal Melbourne, regarded it as his best course.
It is much hillier than it appears on television, with generous fairways and fast greens, the fairways lined by pine trees. Azaleas and dogwood trees tend to flower in tournament week, and you will not see a weed at Augusta.
THE TOURNAMENT
It was started in 1934 by Jones and Clifford Roberts, the club's first chairman, and known for the first few years as the Augusta National Invitational. Jones thought the term 'Masters' was pretentious, but ultimately was persuaded to allow the change.
He had retired from tournament golf but made a comeback for the occasion in 1934, with huge fanfare. The tournament remains strictly invitational, with a field of around 100, smaller than the usual tour events.
Unlike other events, it is run by the club, rather than the US tour. In Australia newspapers tend to refer to the tournament as 'the US Masters' but it is no such thing. It is just 'The Masters' and it was other tournaments around the world who copied the name and tried to profit from it.
THE VIBE
The Masters is a celebration of golf, from the Monday practice day where about 50,000 people flock to the course, to the Wednesday par-three contest where the players deck their partners and children out in the famous Augusta white caddies' overalls.
Old-timers and past winners strut their stuff, with Masters winners having a lifetime invitation to play which most of them take up at least for some time. The honorary starters — in recent years Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player — hit tee shots at 8am on the Thursday and then clear the way for the modern superstars.
THE HISTORY
The ghosts of famous players and amazing feats stalk you at Augusta. Walk down the 11th and see where Larry Mize chipped in, or the little bank near Rae's Creek at the 12th where Fred Couples' tee shot amazing stayed dry in 1992.
Into the trees on the right of the 10th you can stand where Bubba Watson hit his rope-hooked wedge to win in 2012. Jack Nicklaus won six times, a record. Of course, Australia had a hoodoo at Augusta until Adam Scott's win in 2013. All the structures are permanent including the lovely, southern-style clubhouse, protected by an oak tree planted in the 1850s that serves as a meeting point for players, coaches, managers, caddies and hangers-on.
LANDMARKS
One of them, the Eisenhower Tree on the 17th fairway, has gone, the victim of a recent ice storm. The late Dwight Eisenhower hated this piece of flora because it interrupted his sliced tee shots too often, and waged a war with the club to have it removed which he never won.
There is Amen Corner (the 11th, 12th and 13th holes), named by the writer Herbert Warren Wind because he believed the tournament was usually won or lost there. Rae's Creek is crossed by using Hogan Bridge on one side of the 12th and Sarazen Bridge on the other.
Founders Corner is an area outside the club with a floral garden in the shape of the famous Augusta National logo, with a flag in the centre. All through Masters week, people queue to have their photographs taken here.
THE MEMBERS
You don't ask to join Augusta National. Someone asks you. Bill Gates has been a member for years, and Wall Street is well represented.
Since the 2012 decision to allow women, Condoleeza Rice has joined. Warren Buffet gets a gig and the current chairman is Billy Payne, who was previously chairman of the organising committee for the Atlanta Olympics.
The green jacket for Augusta members was introduced in the early years of the tournament so that patrons — you don't call them fans at Augusta — could identify a member if a question needed to be asked. Since the 1940s it has also been slipped over the shoulders of the Masters' champion, who gets to keep it with him for a year. After that, he returns it and can only wear it on the grounds of the club.
THE PATRONS
Tickets are hard to get, needless to say. Recently the club has issued a few public tickets via a ballot, but most 'badges' for Augusta are held year-after-year by their owners. They will let around 50,000 in on practice days but only 40,000 on tournament days and no one is allowed to run (considered too dangerous), lay down, take their shoes off or use a mobile phone. The latter crime will result in expulsion. It has happened often and is no joke.
THE MERCHANDISE
Augusta is clever. It does not allow its merchandise to be sold anywhere or anytime except on the course in Masters week.
That makes the gear, with the famous logo, highly-valued. The snaking queues to the merchandise centres each year will tell you that the club makes zillions from this.
All of which allows them to keep food and drink prices down. You can get a coffee for $1 and a sandwich for around $2 at the course, and the beer cups are so good — complete with club logo — that people collect them.
RECENT WINNERS
2013 Adam Scott (Australia)
2012 Bubba Watson (USA)
2011 Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)
2010 Phil Mickelson (USA)
2009 Angel Cabrera (Argentina)
2008 Trevor Immelmann (South Africa)
2007 Zach Johnson (USA)
2006 Phil Mickelson (USA)
THE AUSTRALIANS
ADAM SCOTT
Last year's winner and one of the favorites again, he has the chance to become world No. 1. Will his putter behave this week?
JASON DAY
A contender both last year and in 2011, he was in brilliant form until a thumb injury stopped him a month ago. Could be underdone.
MARC LEISHMAN
Finished fourth last year after leading through round one. Likes the course, and one to watch this week.
JOHN SENDEN
Has never played especially well at Augusta National but always a pure ball-striker and won a tournament on the PGA Tour recently.
STEVEN BOWDITCH
The fairytale story, he grabbed a berth with his win in Texas a fortnight ago. May suffer from the 'wow' factor of a first start at Augusta.
OLIVER GOSS
Perth amateur who won a spot by making the US amateur final last year. Tipped as the next big thing of Australian golf, will turn professional soon.
MATT JONES
Sydney professional who is based in Arizona, took the last possible position in the field by winning with his famous chip-in in Texas.
TV COVERAGE
LIVE ON SEVEN MATE, FOX SPORTS 3HD AND FOX SPORTS 3 (ALL TIMES AEST)
Thursday, April 10 – Par 3 Tournament, 4.45am
Friday, April 11 – US Masters: Round 1, 4.45am
Saturday, April 12 – US Masters: Round 2, 4.45am
Sunday, April 13 – US Masters: Round 3, 4.45am
Monday, April 14 – US Masters: Final Round, 3.45am
OUR TIP
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) is primed and with Tiger Woods out of the field and Adam Scott strugging with his putter, he could be the one.
LONG SHOTS
Angel Cabrera and Fred Couples always play well at Augusta so watch for them.