The 5 Things Even Golfers Don't Know About The Masters
Being part of the conversation is not a long shot.
Better late than never. The biggest tournament in golf is back, seven months late and without fans. We’re sharing a few facets of every golfer’s favorite weekend of the year.
Golf clap,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. The Masters is the only one of the four Major tournaments in the PGA (Professional Golfers Association) that doesn’t change locations - it’s always at Augusta National Golf Course. But becoming a member of Augusta is somewhat of a mystery. There are no criteria listed for membership and the members list is not public. Ron Townsend was named the first African American member in 1990 and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice became the first woman member in 2012. (There are now six women members). ABOUT TIME
2. The Masters winner receives the iconic green jacket that is only worn by members of Augusta National. The winner is allowed to have the jacket for a calendar year. After that year, they’re only permitted to wear the jacket on the grounds of Augusta. NO TAKE BACKS
3. While most of the pomp and circumstance has been cancelled for this year’s event, the famed Champions Dinner still carried on Tuesday night. The previous year’s winner Tiger Woods hosted a dinner for all the former Masters champions. It is a tradition for all the champs to wear their famed green jackets. Woods’ menu had something for everyone including steak and chicken fajitas, sushi and a dessert trio. One former champion was not present. Sergio Garcia, who won in 2017, tested positive for COVID and he has withdrawn from the tournament and is in quarantine. SURROUNDED BY GREATNESS
4. The scenery will look a little different with a fall tournament. The colors of the famous azaleas of Augusta will be replaced by the fall colors of the trees. Fall will also provide another challenge for the players – less daylight. Due to limited hours of sunlight, in order for players to make the cut, only the top 50 players will advance. Normally anyone within 10 shorts of the leader makes the cut but not this year. (Making the cut in golf means that golfers who are in the top 50 by Friday night will move on to play over the weekend. The rest will be eliminated). 2020 STILL THROWING US FOR A LOOP
5. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the beautiful greens of the course. Augusta uses a SubAir system – a high tech draining system installed below the grass. It’s the same system that many football and baseball teams use on their fields. This SubAir will be key to keeping the conditions on the greens similar to April with its moisture-controlling system. A TALL ORDER
Bonus - We saved the best for last. Longtime broadcast partner of the tournament, CBS, admitted they edit in melodic bird sounds during the telecast to enhance the programming and make it feel more like a “natural paradise.” TWEET TWEET
An Epic Weekend Is On Deck
Master the Masters, something’s fishy in Nashville and golf clap for Natty Ice.
We don’t throw the word epic around often but between playoffs, the Masters and the premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones, it’s going to be an epic weekend.
Stock up the wine fridge,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PGA (PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION)
Natural Light is showing off its classy side, giving away a year’s worth of beer for every birdie made during the Masters on Sunday. All you have to do is use #sweepstakes or #BirdieLight on Twitter and you’re entered to win. And in case you’re not into golf speak, a birdie is one shot under par. Ex. – On a par 3, it would take two shots to get the ball in the hole for a birdie. NATTY LIGHT = YOUTHFUL INDISCRETIONS
If all the business deals happen on the golf course, then you better step up your game and read our 5 Things Even Golfers Don’t Know About The Masters. MASTERING THE MASTERS
OVERTIME
When you win as many Super Bowls as Tom Brady, challenges arise. They might include high expectations from fans or the fact that you might run out of fingers for your Super Bowl rings. Another unforeseen problem? Confetti still in your helmet two months later. Brady posted a video yesterday of him pulling Super Bowl confetti out of his helmet before practice. WE’RE JUST HAPPY TO FIND $5 IN OUR COAT POCKET
SIDELINE STAT
The Baltimore Orioles’ (MLB – Major League Baseball) Chris Davis is in need of a serious slump buster. He’s making baseball history for all the wrong reasons. The poor guy hasn’t had a hit since September 14, 2018. To make the pressure even worse, local Baltimore establishments are offering free food and drinks whenever he does get a hit. (He’s 0-53 but it has to happen at some point, right)? HITS FOR HOT DOGS
COACHES' CORNER
The NBA (National Basketball Association) playoffs tipoff on Saturday (Golden State Warriors are the favorite to win it all). But the NHL (National Hockey League) playoffs are in full swing, and something’s fishy with the Nashville Predators. It’s an odd tradition (although aren’t most traditions odd)? for Preds fans to throw catfish on the ice. PETA isn’t having it and wants any fan who flings a fish to be banned from the arena for life and receive a $5,000 fine. They handed out free catfish squeeze balls featuring the message "Respect Animals" at Wednesday’s game. SMART MOVE - SQUEEZE BALLS WILL PROBABLY FLY FURTHER
WHAT TO WATCH
The biggest TV event on Sunday isn’t the final round of the Masters, but the start of the final season of the Game of Thrones. If fantasy sports aren’t your thing, you can join this GoT fantasy league. Yes, there’s a draft and everything. DRAFTING DRAGONS