Ike's Tree won't be immediately replaced, chairman says

The 17th hole at Augusta Na­tional Golf Club will remain without a presence guarding the left side of the fairway, at least for the time being.

At his annual news conference, Augusta National and Masters Tournament Chairman Billy Payne said there’s no immediate replacement for Ike’s Tree, the world famous loblolly pine that was irreparably damaged by a February ice storm.

Payne said tournament officials will monitor scoring at No. 17 and go from there.

“We do not yet have a definitive plan as to what, if anything, we will do to the 17th hole beyond this year’s tournament,” Payne said Wednesday. “We are closely examining play and scoring on the hole this week, and will make a decision after careful observation and consideration. ”

While there’s no plan to grow any trees to replace Ike’s Tree, Payne said he’s pleased with efforts to grow the game.

Last fall saw the fifth annual Asia-Pacific Amateur, the tournament created by the Masters and the R&A. Upcoming is the new Latin America Amateur Cham­pionship, which was formed by the Masters, the R&A and the United States Golf Association. It will be held in January in Buenos Aires.

Also, the national finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt Cham­pionship, which was created by the Masters, the USGA and the PGA of America, were held Sunday. The inaugural event featured 88 boys and girls competing on the practice range and the 18th green at Augusta National.

“As a club and an organization, we are so grateful to be a facilitator, a follower and a partner in all of these and other initiatives,” Payne said. “As we have said many times, we take our inspiration from our founders and from the leadership of the R&A, the USGA, The PGA of America, the PGA Tour, the LPGA, and to all of them, we say a sincere thank you for allowing us to participate.”

Payne said the Drive, Chip and Putt event had quite an impact, especially on him.

“It was extraordinarily powerful,” he said. “I knew that there was something very special in these kids and their families, and the excitement and anticipation which they had for competing here the next day. They responded so wonderfully.”

Payne said he’s hopeful the Royal & Ancient Club will respond enthusiastically to the acceptance of female members when the club’s membership votes in September. Augusta National accepted two female members a year and a half ago.

“I’m proud to be a member of the R&A, and I bet you can guess how I’m going to vote,” Payne said. “Other than that, I would respect their process, their requirement to conduct a vote, and so the process will culminate in a decision, and as I’ve said, I know where one vote is going to be cast.”