25 Fun Facts about the Masters Tournament

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Magnolia Lane extends from the entrance gate to the clubhouse. The large magnolia trees that line both sides of the 330-yard road date to the late 1850s. It was paved in 1947.(File/Staff)

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Jack Nicklaus, pictured at left, and former amateur standout and now Senior PGA Tour player John Harris are the only pro golfers who are Augusta National Golf Club members. Arnold Palmer, pictured at right, who died in 2016, was also a club member. (File/Staff)

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The Crow's Nest is a 30-by-40-foot room atop the clubhouse available as living quarters for as many as five amateurs during The Masters. (File/Staff)

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There are three dedicated bridges at Augusta National: the Sarazen Bridge at hole No. 15 -- to honor Gene Sarazen's double eagle there during the 1935 Masters, the Hogan Bridge at the No. 12 green -- to honor Ben Hogan's then record score of 274 in 1953, and the Nelson Bridge at the No. 13 tee -- to honor Byron Nelson's performance on holes No. 12 and 13 when he won the 1937 Masters.

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The tradition of members wearing green jackets began in 1937, when jackets were purchased from New York's Brooks Uniform Co. The idea was that Masters patrons easily could see members who would have accurate information. (File/Staff)

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Avid golfer Dwight (Ike) Eisenhower is the only U.S. president to have been a club member. Ike's Pond occupies 3 acres near hole No. 9 on the par-3 course, a nine-hole layout that is the site of the traditional Par 3 Contest on Wednesday of Masters week. (File)

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Each hole is named after a plant or shrub that adorns it. For example, No. 3 is called "Flowering Crab Apple." An estimated 80,000 plants have been added since the course was built.

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The 10 cabins located on the grounds of Augusta National provide lodging for members and their guests. The cabin in this photo is named the Eisenhower Cabin because the club built it for President and Mrs. Eisenhower for their visits to Augusta National. (File)

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Ike's Pond is named after General Eisenhower. The three-acre Pond is manmade, has a dam and is fed by a spring. (File/Staff)

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The Champions Dinner is for members of the Masters Club, those who have won a Masters Tournament, and is hosted by the defending champion on Tuesday of Masters week. (File/Staff)

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Founders Circle is at the base of the flagpole in front of the clubhouse. Two plaques there honor the Masters' founders: Bob Jones and Clifford Roberts. (File/Staff)

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The tournament was not played during the years 1943, 1944 and 1945 because of World War II. To help with the war effort, turkey and cattle were raised on the Augusta National Grounds. (File)

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Ron Townsend, the first African-American member was admitted in 1990. (File/Staff)

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A Jack Nicklaus plaque, honoring the six-time Masters champion, is affixed to a drinking fountain between holes 16 and 17. An Arnold Palmer plaque, commemorating the play and contributions of the four-time Masters winner, is affixed to a drinking fountain behind the No. 16 tee. (File/Staff)

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The Record Fountain was built to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Masters. It is located left of the No. 17 green and displays course records and Masters Tournament winners. (File/Staff)

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Tiger Woods was the youngest player to win a Masters Tournament, at 21 years, 3 months and 14 days - in 1997. (Associated Press)

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"The big oak tree" on the golf course side of the clubhouse. This live oak tree was planted in the 1850's. (File/Staff)

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In 1949, the first Green Jacket was awarded to that year's Masters champion, Sam Snead. (File)

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Horton Smith won the first tournament in 1934. (File)

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The first tournament was held March, 22 1934. Since 1940 however, the Masters was scheduled for the first full week (Sunday - Sunday) in April each year. The Masters Tournament was called the "Augusta National Invitational" for the first five years (1934-1938).

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Jack Nicklaus has the most Masters Tournament wins, with six. Nicklaus became the oldest player to win a Masters Tournament, at 46 years, 2 months and 23 days - in 1986. (File)

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The pine tree is the most abundant tree at Augusta. Several species grow along the course, including: Loblolly Pines, Shortleaf Pines, Slash Pines, Longleaf Pines, Eastern White Pines. File/Staff)

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Amen Corner refers to holes No. 11, 12 and 13. In 1958, a Sports Illustrated writer, Herbert Warren Wind, named the second half of hole No. 11, hole No. 12 and the first half of hole No. 13 Amen Corner. This is where the critical action took place that year. He borrowed the name from an old jazz recording called "Shouting at Amen Corner." (File/Staff)

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The club was conceived by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. Their vision was to establish a national membership for the club. They took a $70,000 option on a 365-acre property called Fruitland Nurseries in Augusta, Ga. Jones and Alister Mackenzie of Scotland designed the course. Construction began in 1931. The course opened in 1932 with limited play. Formal opening was January 1933. (File)

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Rae's Creek was named after John Rae. The creek runs in front of the No. 12 green, has a tributary at the No. 13 tee, and passes by the back of the No. 11 green. Rae's house kept residents safe during Indian attacks. It was the furthest fortress up the Savannah River from Fort Augusta. (File/Staff)

25 Fun Facts about the Masters Tournament

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25 Fun Facts about the Masters Tournament

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