With the Masters less than two months away, Augusta National’s renovated Par 3 Course appears ready to shine.
It’s only 51 days until the Masters, and all the work Augusta National Golf Club has done since Scottie Scheffler donned a green jacket in 2022 is coming even more sharply into focus, thanks to the latest aerial photography by Eureka Earth posted to Twitter.
And it’s not just the main 18-hole course, where the 13th tee box has been moved some 35 yards deeper into the pines on the legendary par 5. Augusta National’s Par 3 course has seen even more dramatic renovations in recent months. The club has not shared details on the changes, but previous reporting and images appear to show a new routing for at least the first several holes of the Par 3 Course.
The Augusta Chroniclereported in July that the club had filed documents with the Georgia city’s Planning and Development Department outlining plans for two new cabins, with cabin being a relative term. One of the cabins was listed in engineering drawings as being a 6,284-square-foot structure, with the other measuring 5,556 square feet. Both border the Par 3 Course.
The Chronicle reported the cabins’ locations would change the Par 3 Course’s first four holes, according to the plans. The new No. 1, instead of playing northward, appears on a city-filed map to point northeast toward the pond, with the new No. 1 green placed on or near the old No. 4 tee. The new No. 2, instead of playing west-to-east, points northwest. The new No. 3, instead of playing southward, faces southeast back toward the pond. The new No. 4 tee, on the opposite side of the No. 3 green, seems to be placed to allow fewer shots to travel over open water to reach the green. The fifth hole would appear relatively unchanged, according to maps.
The Chronicle also reported that other plans filed separately with the city show a new concessions and restroom facility between the main course’s eighth and 18th holes. Aerial images from Eureka Earth have corroborated the Chronicle’s reporting.
❗️ANGC Par-3 UPDATE❗️
Aerial overview detailing the ‘Drastic Changes’ to Augusta National’s Par 3 Course 💚⛳️
As for the rest of the Par 3 Course? When the whole Par 3 Course was basically dug up in June, it wasn’t clear what all the club had in mind. The club has since remained mum on details, as is customary. But come April 5, when the world tunes in to watch the annual Par 3 Contest with families dressed in white caddie bibs as their players try for crystal hardware, the rest of the world will get a first televised look at a very different nine-hole layout.
The Augusta National Golf Club’s Par-3 Course will sport a new look for the 2023 Masters Tournament.
The Augusta National Golf Club’s Par-3 Course will sport a new look for the 2023 Masters Tournament.
Engineering documents filed with the city of Augusta’s Planning and Development Department outline several expected changes at one of the world’s iconic professional golf venues, including the construction of two new guest cabins.
Plans titled “Northeast Pond Grading and Drainage Revisions Phase I,” labeled with a March 2022 revision date, show proposed updated locations for tee boxes, greens, and other Par-3 Course features near the northern shore of the National’s largest body of water.
The proposed use, according to the development plans, is “redevelopment of (the) existing golf course related to five golf holes and supporting recreational facilities.”
The drawings’ marked locations of the course changes seem to mirror aerial photographs snapped in June showing site work being performed at the National. Virtually every rumored change to the National’s course layout tends to set tongues wagging in the pro-golf world, especially since the private club typically doesn’t disclose details of its pending development plans.
The National did not immediately respond to queries Tuesday from The Augusta Chronicle about the changes.
The engineering drawings depict the locations of “Cabin 1,” a 6,284-square-foot structure, and “Cabin 2,” measuring 5,556 square feet, bordering the Par-3 Course. Cabins 1 and 2 appear to sit behind the fourth and third tees, respectively.
The cabins’ locations would change the Par 3’s first four holes, according to the plans.
The new No. 1, instead of playing northward, appears on the city-filed map to point northeast toward the pond, with the new No. 1 green placed on or near the old No. 4 tee. The new No. 2, instead of playing west-to-east, points northwest. The new No. 3, instead of playing southward, faces southeast back toward the pond.
This 2015 aerial photo of the Par-3 Course at Augusta National Golf Club has been overlaid with circles and arrows to show the new routing of the first five holes as shown in submitted architectural drawings. The green circles represent where new greens and tee boxes will be constructed ahead of the 2023 Masters Tournament.
The new No. 4 tee, on the opposite side of the No. 3 green, seems to be placed to allow fewer shots to travel over open water to reach the green. The No. 5 hole would appear unchanged, according to maps.
This 2015 aerial photo of the Par-3 Course at Augusta National Golf Club has been overlaid with circles and arrows to show the new routing of the first five holes as shown in submitted architectural drawings. The green circles represent where new greens and tee boxes will be constructed ahead of the 2023 Masters Tournament. (Staff illustration. Photo by Jon Michael Sullivan, Augusta Chronicle)
Other plans filed separately with the city show a new concessions/restroom facility between the main course’s eighth and 18th holes.
Described as a “patron hub” in the plans, “The patrons’ concession and restroom each consist of one main level and a basement. The member restroom is a single-story, standalone structure,” according to notes accompanying the drawings.
It was the 101st hole-in-one during the competition, per tournament officials. No. 9 is the hole that has seen the most aces.
Former Xavier University golfer Jason Kokrak earned the first and only ace of Wednesday’s The Masters Par-3 Contest on the 125-yard No. 4 — the first hole-in-one on the fourth hole since Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas in 2016.
After a two-year absence due to COVID-19, the charming Par 3 Contest and all its adorable characters returns.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Toddlers in miniature white Augusta National jumpsuits. Wives and girlfriends trying to make a putt. Children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews serving as caddies. And plenty of holes-in-one.
After a two-year absence due to COVID-19, the charming Par 3 Contest and all its adorable characters returns this Wednesday beginning at 12 p.m. ET.
The family affair on a course where the holes measure from 70 to 140 yards began in 1960 with three-time Masters champion Sam Snead winning the inaugural contest. Snead also won in 1974 at age 61.
Since then, it has become a family affair.
“The Par 3 tournament is just special,” 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson said. “I appreciate Augusta National allowing us to participate in a competitive event, on the hallowed grounds, with family and friends walking alongside.”
There have been 94 holes-in-one made during the tournament. And no player who has won the Par 3 Contest has gone on to win the Masters.
“The Par 3 Contest is one big deal,” Kevin Na said. “It’s a great tradition and a lot of fun and everyone enjoys it.”
After a two-year absence, the Par 3 Contest returns but six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus will not be playing.
The beloved Par 3 Contest is one of the best traditions at the Masters.
After a two-year absence due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Par 3 Contest played over nine holes ranging from 70 to 140 yards in the northeast corner of Augusta National Golf Club returns in 2022.
Six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus, however, will not be playing.
Answering questions in Golfweek’s annual Masters survey, Nicklaus, 82, was talking about what he looked forward to the most when heading to Augusta.
“In many ways it is the start of the golfing season,” Nicklaus said. “It certainly is the start of the major championship season. Even though I don’t play anymore, it’s fun to be there. It’s fun to go to the Masters dinner. I’m done with the Par 3, but toward the end of my career, I used to play every year. But I just can’t play anymore.
“And then there is the honor of hitting the opening tee shot alongside Gary Player. Now, with the addition of our good friend, Tom Watson, that will be nice. I enjoy seeing everybody. It’s like a reunion.”
Nicklaus played in the Par 3 Contest dozens of times since it began in 1960; Sam Snead won the inaugural edition. On most occasions, Nicklaus had one of his five children or 22 grandchildren on the bag.
Nicklaus was 75 before making an ace at Augusta National. His grandson needed one swing. With tears streaming down his face, Nicklaus left the tee box.
“I didn’t want to be disrespectful because six green jackets are pretty good,” he said the next day after participating in the ceremonial tee shots. “But that’s about yourself. When something happens with your children or your grandchildren, that’s far more special to you. And so yesterday, I said, was the greatest day I’ve had at Augusta National.”
One of the best traditions in golf returns this year.
The world of golf waits patiently for the second week of April every season for one reason — the Masters. However, the beloved Par 3 contest has been missing from the weekly schedule for the last few installments of the event.
With that being said, it’s back.
The Par 3 contest, first held in 1960 and won by Sam Snead, is played every Wednesday before the official tournament starts Thursday morning and will make its return in 2022.
The course measures just over 1,000 yards but provides a great challenge for the past champions and current field with angulating, lightning-fast greens like the ones found throughout the Augusta National layout.
It’s become a family outing for most players who tee it up, making it one of the best traditions we see all week in Georgia.
Gary Nicklaus, Jr. the grandson of Jack Nicklaus holds up the ball after making a hole-in-one on the 9th hole during the Par 3 Contest before the 2018 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports)
ESPN will have coverage of the event on Wednesday, April 6 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET.
Yet another indication we’re still in a pandemic, Augusta National Golf Club canceled the Masters Par 3 contest again this year.
Yet another indication we’re still in a pandemic came when Augusta National Golf Club delivered some bad news — for the second straight time, the Masters Par 3 contest will not be held.
The event, which precedes the tournament each year, was also scratched for the 2020 Masters. The news came on Monday from ANGC officials.
This marks the third time in the last five tournaments the Par 3 Contest has been canceled as storms forced the event to be nixed back in 2017.
The reigning champ of the Par 3 Contest is Matt Wallace, who topped Sandy Lyle in a playoff back in 2019. It took three sudden-death holes before Wallace prevailed with a birdie on the pairing’s second attempt at No. 8
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Lyle, winner of the 1988 Masters, was attempting to tie Padraig Harrington for the most all-time Par 3 wins at three. He previously won in consecutive years from 1997-98. The event often produces some of the most heart-warming moments of the tournament, such as when Jack Nicklaus allowed his grandson, Gary, to hit a shot during the 2019 event. Gary stepped up and delivered a hole-in-one.
In January, Fred Ridley announced that the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals were both scheduled to return with limited patrons, but there was no mention of the status of the Par 3 Contest.
Nobody has ever won the Par 3 Contest and the Masters in the same week. That will remain true for at least another year due to COVID-19.
Masters patrons have long called it a curse, but few have experienced it.
This marks the 60th anniversary of the inaugural Par 3 Contest. Nobody has ever won Wednesday’s event and the Masters Tournament in the same week. And that will remain true for at least another year, with the pandemic prompting the Par 3’s cancellation in 2020.
Raymond Floyd came closest in 1990, when the 47-year-old was in line to become the oldest Masters champion. Floyd recorded his only Par 3 victory and seemed on course to snap the curse Sunday afternoon.
Following a birdie on No. 12, Floyd was four strokes clear of Nick Faldo with six holes to play. More importantly, two of those holes were par 5s. When Floyd lapped the field in 1976, he shot a then-record 14-under par on Augusta National’s par 5s and, with Nos. 13 and 15 looming, he was 10-under on par 5s in 1990.
However, an errant drive on No. 13 forced Floyd to lay up and settle for par. Playing a group ahead, Faldo went for the green in two shots and birdied. Another off-target tee shot by Floyd on No. 15 led to the same result as the 13th. Faldo cleared the water and made birdie. Floyd’s two pars opened the door for Faldo, who stole the tournament on the second playoff hole.
Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly wrote of Floyd, “There is a useful lesson in all this. Forget the par-3 tournament. Win the par-5 tournament.”
Three years later, the par-5 tournament was again an afterthought. Chip Beck, a University of Georgia graduate, won the warm-up act and was three strokes behind Bernhard Langer entering Sunday’s 15th hole. Following a center-cut drive, Beck laid up, and Langer coasted to his second Masters crown. Beck’s decision cemented his second-place finish, joining Floyd as the only Wednesday winners and Sunday runner-ups.
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Walker races to record
“A curse?” said Padraig Harrington, the contest’s only three-time champion. “That’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Harrington’s had the most opportunities to snap the curse, ridiculous as it may be, but no hand was hotter entering a Masters Tournament Thursday than Jimmy Walker in 2016. That year, the Texan became the first Par 3 participant to shoot in the teens, carding an 8-under-par 19.
Walker broke the previous mark of 20 shot by Art Wall Jr. (1965) and Gay Brewer (1973). More impressively, Wall and Brewer accomplished their feat prior to the course being altered in 1987.
The original Par 3 course was built in 1958 when Augusta National co-founder Clifford Roberts enlisted Savannah’s George Cobb as its principal architect. Cobb’s design called for the playing of the nine holes over DeSoto Springs Pond. Three decades later, the club turned to Tom Fazio to add two holes (Nos. 8 and 9) over Ike’s Pond, and Cobb’s opening two holes transitioned to spectator seating. Prior to Walker, the course record for the remodeled trek was 21.
Walker started hot in the 2016 contest, placing his opening tee shot to 4.9 inches and earned a prize for closest to the pin. On No. 2, Walker made a hole-in-one. More crystal. With his wife, Erin, and two sons caddying, Walker never teed up a shot.
“I just dropped it and hit,” he said.
Walker added birdies on Nos. 3 and 4, but his most memorable putt came on No. 5. After missing a birdie attempt, Walker left his ball on the green, when suddenly his son, McLain, darted to pick it up. Walker intercepted his son, calling it, “The only time all day I got serious.”
Walker capped the round with a 35-foot birdie on No. 8 to seal the lowest round in Par 3 history.
“It may never be tied. It may never be broken,” Walker said. “I was out of my mind those nine holes.”
Walker placed 29th in the 2016 Masters, as the curse lived on.
“I don’t believe in curses,” Walker said. “It just hasn’t happened yet.”
Prize with a purpose
After the 1960 competition, The Augusta Chronicle praised winner Sam Snead, boasting the headline, “Slammer’s 23 wins 9-hole par 3 event.” A silver service was awarded to Snead, as, like today, prizes were given for holes-in-one and shots closest to the pin.
A year later, Deane Beman won on Augusta’s short course, making him the first of three amateurs to win the event. Labron Harris Jr. (1964) and Jay Haas (1976) also prevailed as nonprofessionals.
“After I won, (PGA Tour Commissioner) Joe Dey mentioned to Cliff Roberts that there may be a problem because the sterling silver tea set was extremely valuable,” Beman said. “Joe Dey said it could affect my amateur status because it was not a trophy of symbolic value.”
After speaking with Dey, Roberts told Beman to leave behind the prize and that it would be mailed to him. A month later Beman received the gift, which had an engraving to honor his accomplishment.
“Mr. Roberts called and said, ‘Deane, it’s of symbolic value now!’” said Beman, laughing at the memory.
Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player during the par-3 contest at the 2013 Masters.
Everyone’s in on it
More than anything, though, the event has shifted from a competition to family affair. Donning white caddie jumpsuits, children of all ages have become the staple. Many attempt putts. Some high-five patrons along the ropes. Others have foot races down the hill of the No. 1 tee box.
There have been 100 holes-in-one, but arguably the most iconic came from a caddie. In 2018, GT Nicklaus, one of Jack Nicklaus’s 22 grandchildren, left his mark on Augusta National. Entering the 2018 Par 3 Contest, the 15-year-old had never carded a hole-in-one. He had also never caddied for his granddad at the Masters.
From the No. 9 tee box, GT sailed Jack’s 47-degree wedge over Ike’s Pond and found the bottom of the cup. The elder Nicklaus called GT’s shot, “My favorite Masters memory.”
“If I ever feel like I’m having a bad day, I take myself back to No. 9 tee box and remind myself of that moment,” GT said. “It was something that I’ll never forget. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing.”
In 2018, Paul Casey let his 4-year-old son Lex caddie for the first time. Casey said his son hadn’t been bitten by the golf bug yet, admitting, “He prefers making pyramids with golf balls.”
“What I love most is there isn’t a stigma behind what the kids do out there,” Casey said. “The members get that. The tournament committee gets that.”
In 12 previous appearances, Casey has never won the Par 3 Contest. He has never earned a closest to the pin honor. He’s never recorded a hole-in-one. But there is one thing Casey believes in: curses.
“It doesn’t stop me from playing in it, but will it stop me from winning it? I don’t know,” Casey said. “If I ever get that final putt on nine I might have to think twice.”
Casey paused briefly to collect his thoughts.
“No, I’d make it. You want to be the one that breaks the curse.”
Amid a year of lost traditions, the par-3 course at Augusta National will be awfully quiet on Wednesday. First-timers took it in stride.
Amid a year of lost traditions, the par-3 course at Augusta National will be awfully quiet on Wednesday afternoon. Normally, Wednesday is the day players let loose, put a significant other on the bag – or track down tiny caddie bibs for their kids – and hit a few trick shots around the par-3 course on the northeast corner of the property.
Lanto Griffin is playing his first Masters this week after qualifying courtesy of his 2019 Houston Open win. He started thinking about Masters Wednesday shortly after.
“It’s weird, the Par 3 Contest and having – skipping the ball over the water on 16, all those things are things that you sit back and watch during Masters week,” he said. “It’s going to be weird not having that, but at the same time you’re at Augusta National playing for a green jacket.”
Griffin would have used Wednesday as a tribute for a man who became like a second father to him growing up. Stuart Swanson was among those to step in after Griffin’s father passed away in 2001 and helped him pursue his dream.
“We threw a party at my home course after the Houston Open about a week and a half later and I actually presented Stu with a caddie bib and gave it to him,” Griffin said. “He was going to caddie for me there. That’s not going to be possible but luckily with making it to the Tour Championship…I’m going back there in April.”
While Griffin’s path back to Augusta National in 2021, that’s not the case for an amateur. There are six of them in the field this week at Augusta, living a dream week.
John Augenstein, a fifth-year senior at Vanderbilt, is one. Like Griffin, he would have put someone special on the bag for the Par 3 Contest: his dad Drew. The elder Augenstein will be on the grounds at Augusta National this week regardless, as Augenstein’s coach. Augenstein brought his mom Susan, too, who didn’t get to be on site during the U.S. Open.
“That would have been a really cool experience getting one of my parents out there to caddie,” he said. “I think they’re more excited than me even.”
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John Augenstein hadn’t made many plans for the Par 3 Contest otherwise. His caddie for the tournament, William Kane, is a friend of Webb Simpson’s and there was talk of Augenstein joining Simpson’s group.
“Obviously it’s an incredible tradition that the Masters has,” he said. “It really is unfortunate that I’m not going to be able to experience it the first time.”
It’s perhaps the only disappointment there is about this week. Augenstein made five trips to Augusta National in preparation for the Masters. He took in the history with each trip, saw the Crow’s Nest (he won’t stay there during tournament week), the champions locker room and the clubhouse. He got the lay of the land – where his locker is, where to eat breakfast – and he studied the course.
There wasn’t a big revelation regarding the latter.
“In the fairway is obviously a premium at all times, being able to control the ball going into the greens is very important,” he said.
Augenstein has been polishing what he has, not necessarily learning new shots. He took note of all the sidehills, downhills and uphills and discovered where he’d need to shape the ball one way or another. Augenstein works with instructor Matt Killen, who has much experience preparing players for Augusta.
“Our practice plans, for eight to 10 months I’d say, have been very centered around large, curving shots,” he said. “Whether I’m in trouble and I need to hook an iron 35 yards or hit something over a tree, under a tree, around a tree, whatever it is. Really, really working on distance, shape and height.”
Andy Ogletree, the man who defeated Augenstein in the final match of the 2019 U.S. Amateur, had an easier time, perhaps, getting to Augusta National as a student at Georgia Tech. On Monday of Masters week, he relayed memories of the annual trip the Yellow Jackets got to take the Augusta. It was always a perfect morning, and one in which the first few holes passed in a fog.
Ogletree’s Par 3 Contest plans won’t come to fruition this year, but he referenced a scenario in which he would rotate family members through the afternoon, if it had happened.
“I have two brothers, so maybe let one of them caddie for three holes, the other caddie for three holes and my dad caddie for three holes or something,” he noted Monday.
For James Sugrue, the 2019 British Amateur champion, the Par 3 Contest was earmarked for his dad.
Sugrue will play the Masters, much as he did the U.S. Open, without much of a cheering squad. As it stands, his father Michael won’t even be on the grounds because his travel from Ireland to the U.S. was deemed non-essential.
Regardless, it’s Augusta National, and Sugrue will soak in the full experience. He had never seen the course until this week and planned a single night’s stay in the Crow’s Nest, the lodging typically reserved for amateurs on property.
“In my practice I’ve been doing a lot of practice on side lies and downhill and uphill and every sort of a lie but a flat lie,” Sugrue said.
ESPN’s College Game Day will air live from Augusta National on the Saturday of the Masters is among the new coverage being planned.
ESPN’s popular College GameDay is coming to Augusta National Golf Club, while the Par 3 Contest is out. That and more was announced by the club on Tuesday.
The 84th Masters is set to begin on Thursday, November 12 with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player acting as honorary starters. Tee times will be announced at a later date, but players will be scheduled to start off the first and 10th tees in two waves the first two rounds.
Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, announced the Masters, scheduled for November 9-15, will provide an expansive slate of content across multiple platforms, including ESPN’s College GameDay airing live from Augusta National on Saturday, November 14.
“Given the circumstances brought about by the pandemic, the delivery of quality content is as important as ever to the storytelling of the Masters Tournament,” said Ridley. “While we will dearly miss our patrons at Augusta National this fall, we are excited to showcase what promises to be a truly memorable Masters in a variety of ways for viewers around the world.”
One such way is the addition of College GameDay, which is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. – Noon before the live CBS broadcast of the third round. The studio will be staged overlooking Ike’s Pond and the 9th green of the Par 3 course.
ESPN’s regular GameDay cast will be on site except for Lee Corso, who will check in live from his home in Orlando.
“When exploring ways to showcase a fall Masters, we were drawn to the concept of hosting College GameDay at Augusta National to introduce the Tournament to a new audience and provide even more anticipation and excitement to the event,” Ridley continued. “We appreciate the collaboration with ESPN, our longtime broadcast partner, for this first-of-its-kind opportunity.”
College GameDay has had two golfers on the show before: Rickie Fowler (Oklahoma State) and Justin Thomas (Alabama golfer) were guest pickers in 2015 and 2019, respectively.
Justin Thomas appeared on College GameDay as the celebrity picker. (Golfweek photo)
In the United States, live coverage of tournament play will begin Thursday, November 12, from 1 – 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and continue at the same times Friday, November 13. CBS will again provide weekend coverage on Saturday, November 14, from 1 – 5 p.m. ET, before airing the final round from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 15. The Par 3 Contest, which is traditionally played on the Wednesday prior to the Masters Tournament and broadcast by ESPN, has been canceled.
“The fun and excitement of watching Masters competitors with their friends and family is what makes the Par 3 Contest such a special part of Masters week,” stated Ridley. “We know that experience could not have been replicated without guests and patrons at Augusta National, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to bring back this signature tradition.”
For the fourth consecutive year, the Masters will air a live 4K broadcast of the Tournament in the United States, featuring action from Amen Corner – the 11th, 12th and 13th holes of Augusta National – as well as the 15th and 16th holes. The site will also feature a new live feed in November, highlighting the action from the 4th, 5th and 6th holes. Featured hole coverage will also be available on ESPN+.
Masters Digital will unveil the “My Group” feature for the 2020 Tournament. Similar to a personally tailored Featured Group, “My Group” allows fans from around the world to build a personalized feed of every shot from their favorite players, ensuring they won’t miss any of the action during the Tournament. The Masters also has launched a free daily email newsletter for fans. Delivered directly to their inbox from Augusta National, this newsletter will provide fans with exclusive content and highlights of the day’s action, while also helping them plan their viewing schedule for the day ahead.
Returning in 2020 is the official Masters podcast “Fore Please! Now Driving…” which invites patrons and fans to follow along as host Marty Smith explores Tournament storylines and visits with notable guests across sport, entertainment and pop culture. Episodes will be published daily from this year’s Masters Tournament.
