Since 1949, the winner of the US Masters tournament has received a distinctive green jacket in addition to the usual cash prize. But what is the meaning of this ritual?
Teachers
One of the four major championships in professional golf and the first to be played each year, the Masters has attracted the world’s best golfers for more than half a century. The tournament began as the Augusta National Invitation Tournament in 1934. The brainchild of Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, it was officially named the Masters Tournament in 1939. A victory in the Masters brings honorary membership to the Augusta National Golf Club, as well as an automatic invitation to play in the other big three for the next five years. years.
History of the green jacket
Members of Augusta National have worn the green jacket on club grounds since 1937, when members wore green jackets during the tournament, so that fans in need of assistance could easily spot them in the crowd. The tradition of awarding the green jacket to the victor began with Sam Snead in 1949 and the jacket has become one of the most recognized symbols of achievement in professional golf, who can keep it for the year of his reign. It must then be returned to the club for use on future visits – all Masters champions earn a lifetime invitation to the tournament. Jack Nicklaus was the first player to defend a Masters title, after victory in 1955 and 1956, and he handed over the jacket himself. When Nick Faldo (in 1990) and Tiger Woods (in 2002) defended their Masters Tournament titles, the president of Augusta National put the jacket on them.
Trivia
o Tournament co-founder and host Bobby Jones was an amateur golfer in the 1920s and won 13 of the 21 major championships he played in before retiring in 1930.
o Jones designed Augusta National with legendary course architect Alister MacKenzie.
o The only person who hasn’t been able to bring the green jersey back to Augusta National is Gary Player, who kept it after his 1961 win.
o In addition to the green jacket, winners receive a Gold Medal and their names are engraved on the silver Masters Trophy.