The members of Augusta National are powerful and elite

The members of Augusta National are powerful and elite

The members of Augusta National are, by and large, obscenely rich, powerful and elite. Sexist, too, if you believe that it’s unacceptable to not have a female member, as Augusta is said to operate. (The club does not disclose its membership policies.)But the view of them as a sort of aging band of confederate freemasons stuck in the past ignores Does Cherry Hills Deserve PGA Tour the Woods Is Associated With Nicklaus In Masters evolving nature of one of the world’s most exclusive clubs.Since Billy Payne took over as chairman in 2006, and members like the affable, laid-back Kiwi Craig Heatley have assumed senior roles, the place has become far more welcoming as it shifts into the 21st century. For instance, next year fans will be able to apply for tickets online for the first time.But the greatest legacy of the Payne era is that without being obviously disrespectful to those who came before — principally past chairman Hootie Johnson — the Masters itself has again become Youth Golf Movement In Masters the most exciting major.After Tiger Woods hit 3 wood and had 87 yards into the last hole a decade ago, the old guard decided that Augusta National needed to be “Tiger-proofed.”

They went overboard. The tournament lost its identity as the course was stretched almost 500 yards longer and made much more difficult to play.There’s nothing wrong with the US Open being a torturous grind; there’s room for that, just as the British Open demands the winner to negotiate not just the course but also the elements.But polite applause for a well-earned par never has been in the lexicon of the Masters, where only three times in 75 tournaments has an over-par score won.