Why Everyone Loves The Masters (And You Should Too)
What to say, what not to do and why a green blazer is a coveted fashion statement.
The golf tournament so many are obsessed with is here. While golf seems so unapproachable with uptight rules and golf claps, the Masters has some fun quirks. Here’s what to say, what not to do and why a green blazer is a coveted fashion statement.
How ‘bout them azaleas?
The Last Night’s Game Team
Quick recap - If it seems like the Masters was just yesterday, you’d almost be correct. The famed tournament was delayed from its traditional spring 2020 date until the fall (November), with Dustin Johnson taking home the famed green jacket.
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. Although there are calls for the PGA to pull the Masters out of Georgia based on the new voting laws. To become a member of this iconic course is somewhat of a mystery. There are no criteria listed for membership, and the list of members is not public. Ron Townsend was named the first Black member in 1990, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice became the first woman member in 2012. (There are now only six women members). TEEING OFF
2. 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,” even though spectators have noted the lack of birds on the course. Apparently, CBS admitted to doing this for other tournaments as well. At least nothing will swoop down and steal your $3 popcorn or poop in your $5 beer (see below). TWEET TWEET
3. The famed green jacket became a tradition in 1949. Members of the club decided on the color green so fans in attendance at the tournament could spot them if they had questions. The Masters’ winner also receives a green jacket. The winner is allowed to have the green jacket for one calendar year. After that year, they’re only permitted to wear it when they’re on the grounds of Augusta. NO TAKE BACKS
4. The famed Champions Dinner happens on Tuesday evening before the tournament. It’s tradition for the previous winner to select the menu for the famed feast between all the former Masters winners. Dustin Johnson’s menu will make you hungry, but it has nothing on the Masters’ cheap concessions of $3 pimento cheese sandwiches and a $5 beer. The dinner included filet mignon, miso-marinated sea bass and pigs in a blanket. One notable attendee was missing from the dinner, the five-time Masters champion himself, Tiger Woods. Woods is recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident earlier this year. GREAT FOOD, GREAT COMPANY
5. Two players for the fans in person and watching on TV to watch for are:
Brooks Koepka – The newly engaged Koepka had knee surgery less than a month ago and has been spending 7+ hours a day in physical therapy to return in time for the Masters. He’s never won the tournament. WORTH A SHOT
Jon Rahm – Rahm is entering the tournament with new motivation, his newborn son. Rahm was telling people not to bet on him because he would leave The Masters to be there for his first child's birth. Luckily, he was born on Saturday, so now he can watch his dad play for the green jacket. DAD STRENGTH
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
When Nature Calls
You had one job, Tiger’s ridiculous look and tempers (and creativity) flare in the playoffs.
Saving you and the world from awkward conversations.
Intergalactic planetary,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Ps – Today is Earth Day so reduce, reuse, recycle and go vegan. That’s what one team is doing for Mother Earth. Read that and more in our five sports teams that are saving the planet.
NBA (National Basketball Association)
In one of the most entertaining playoff series in recent history, the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are quite literally putting up a fight. Of course, they’ve been talking trash but there have been fights, ejections, wanted posters and one angry team general manager storming the referees’ locker room. (The 76ers lead the first round playoff series 3-1). PISSED OFF AND PASSIONATE
Overtime
From the ‘you had one job' file. While the Boston Celtics (NBA) were about the sweep the Indiana Pacers, eliminating them from the playoffs, ABC switched the broadcast over to “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” EITHER WAY IT WAS LAUGHABLE
Sideline stat
Serena Williams is putting her money where her mouth is. On Instagram, she revealed the details of her investment firm, Serena Ventures. She focuses on "early-stage investments in companies led by women and people of color and those that value 'individual empowerment' and creativity." RAISE ‘EM UP
Coaches’ corner
When a player wins the Masters (golf), they can wear the iconic green jacket anywhere for one year. (After one year they can only wear the jacket on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club). Tiger Woods took advantage of this perk and wore his new favorite green accessory with basketball shorts and white tennis shoes to his restaurant. BUSINESS ON TOP, GYM RAT IN THE BACK