Things You Didn't Know About The Masters

By: Derek Clements | Mon 03 Apr 2023

The Masters Tournament and Augusta National boasts a rich, fascinating and sometimes controversial history. Golfshake's Derek Clements has picked out a series of facts and stats that you may not know - which tell the story of this iconic event.

The land on which the course was built cost just $70,000.
Construction work on the iconic course began in 1931 and it was first opened for play in January 1933.
The course was designed by the legendary Alister MacKenzie.
The first Masters was held on March 22, 1934, and beginning in 1940, it was scheduled each year during the first full week in April.
Augusta National was founded by Bobby Jones, the best amateur golfer the world has ever seen, and Clifford Roberts, an investment banker who served as chairman from 1931 until 1976.
The Par 3 Contest, played on Augusta’s beautiful nine-hole course, was first played in 1960 and was won by Sam Snead. No golfer has ever won the Par 3 Contest and gone on to claim the Green Jacket the same week.
There have been 94 holes-in-one over the years in the Par 3 Contests, including a record nine in 2016.
The permanent Masters Trophy, which depicts the Clubhouse, was introduced in 1961. It was made in England and consists of more than 900 separate pieces of silver. The champion receives a replica and a gold medal, as well as the iconic Green Jacket.
The Green Jacket was first awarded in 1949, with the first Champions Dinner in 1952.
Every golfer who makes an eagle during the tournament receives a pair of crystal goblets. The player who shoots the day’s lowest score gets a crystal vase and anybody who has a hole-in-one gets a large crystal bowl.
Gene Sarazen holes his second shot on the 15th for an albatross on his way to winning in 1935.
Gary Player was the first non-American winner in 1961. Seve Ballesteros the first European winner in 1980, with Sandy Lyle the first British champion in 1988.
The youngest winner is Tiger Woods, who was just 21 when he claimed the first of his five victories in 1997.
Sergio Garcia required a record 19 attempts before winning for the first time.
The oldest first-time winner is Mark O’Meara, who was 41 when he donned the Green Jacket in 1998.
The oldest winner is Jack Nicklaus, who was 46 when he claimed the title for the sixth time in 1986.
The average age of the winner is 32 - Rory McIlroy is 33.