THE MASTERS IS the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, in part because it’s played on one the most exclusive golf courses in the world: Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.
The 300-member club boasts no pool or kiddie playground or even much of a social scene — just an amazing golf course, guarded by a long list of arcane and (occasionally) outdated rules.
It’s a “tradition unlike any other” because even the snootiest country clubs have long since abandoned the most ridiculous of these rituals of manners and etiquette — like not letting women join — and replaced them with common sense. 1. No women
Augusta National Golf Club has never had a woman member in its 78-year history. They didn’t even admit their first African-American member until 1990. 2. No membership applications
You don’t ask to be a member of Augusta National. You must be nominated by a current member and new initiations generally aren’t accepted unless someone quits (which never happens) or dies. The total membership stays pretty constant at around 300. And the only way to get invited is to act like you don’t want to be invited. Begging for membership is the surest way to guarantee you won’t get in. Bill Gates was famously shut out for years, because he publicly expressed his desire to land a membership. (He was finally let in, in 2002.) 3. Caddys must wear white jumpsuits
Prior to 1983, even the pros playing The Masters had to use Augusta’s own caddys to carry their clubs. They can bring their own assistants now, but the bag jockeys are still required to wear the trademark white jumpsuits. (One benefit of having to trudge around the course in that ridiculous outfit? Augusta caddys get to play the course once a year.) 4. No running
Though it’s a common sight at other tournaments as fans scramble for the best viewing spots on each hole, running anywhere on the course is grounds for dismissal. 5. No phones, cameras or electronic devices
Cell phones, beepers, and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited[/url] and blocked at the gate with airport quality metal detectors. Cameras (other than credentialed media, who also have strict rules) are only allowed during practice rounds. Security [url=“http://www.augusta.com/masters/masters/banned_items.shtml”]guards will confiscate[/url] any “contraband” and egregious violators can lose their tickets and be ejected from the grounds. The rules apply to players too. Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell [url=“http://progolftalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/29/ian-poulter-and-graeme-mcdowell-tweet-augusta-break-the-rules/”]were reprimanded[/url] this week for taking video and photos on the grounds and in the clubhouse and [url=“http://www.twitvid.com/YEGJP”]posting them online.
Tweeting? Don’t even think about it. 6. No unattended guests
Members must physically accompany their guests at all times and are responsible for their conduct while on the grounds. If the member has to leave the course, even in the middle of a round, then the friend has to go too. 7. No autographs
Other courses might allow you to approach the players during downtime or when they’re wrapping up a round (and rules are relaxed during the practice rounds), but asking for autographs on game day is a big no-no. 8. No tickets
Patron badges for The Masters are the most coveted ticket in sports — passed down through families for generations — because Augusta hasn’t sold new ones[/url] to spectators in 47 years. Until this week, that is, when they announced that a [i]very[/i] [url=“http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/masters11/news/story?id=6289311&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines”]small number of single day tickets will be made available for 2012… but don’t hold your breath. 9. No backwards caps
While giving an interview in the media center last year, Ricky Fowler was kindly asked by a Masters official to turn his baseball cap forward to the proper alignment. So rude! 10. No fishing
Some water hazards on tour are notoriously good fishing ponds and players have been known to pack a rod and reel in their bag for a quick cast during breaks in play. But not at Augusta National. Or at least not in any way that anyone is willing to talk about. Maybe if you’re the President — like former club member Dwight Eisenhower — you can get away with it. But bragging about the one that got away is not allowed.
True, if we were to use O’Moore Park in Laois as an overall example of the GAA there’d never be another match played again.
If the locals aren’t bating the heads off each other inside there, then supporters are running onto the pitch to fight due to inadequate stewarding.
No one mentioned history. In this pathetic excuse for a sport, the PGA Tour is where its at, even the curly headed fuck knows that. Regardless, 1st or 2nd, it epitomises everything you need to know about golf and the sad wee fucks who play it. At the least the pro’s are getting paid handsomely for it I guess. Imagine the poor gobshites who piss the money away on extortionate fees in the name of “fun” and “sport” and “exercise” :lol:
Celebrated is the same as history? Thats a convenient link to make to tie into our story isnt it? To be honest I’d be at a loss to be comparing which of these make believe sports courses are the better, I’m sure the British courses have as pathetic rules as Augusta no doubt however. Would you know differently?
They’d have rules that are strict yes but this is the same for most sports at an elite level worldwide.
I don’t play that much anymore but the last time I did at a proper club in Ireland I wasn’t required to have a guy dressed completely in white follow me around and advise me which club to use.
It’s still not enough to argue that an entire sport is wrong.
Can’t believe MBB is writing off golf here, he hasn’t even thought of the networking opportunities it brings. The Masters is the pinnacle of the year here in terms of building relationships with existing clients and wooing new ones.
I urge him to retract his statements here before it’s too late.
Driving summons case against Kerry football manager withdrawn
A driving summons against Kerry football team manager Jack O’Connor has been withdrawn by the State at Killarney District Court.
Named in court documents as John Jude O’Connor, St Finan’s Bay, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry, he was summonsed for crossing a single white line at Killahane, Firies, Co Kerry, on August 20th, 2011, under article 25 (1) of the Road Traffic Act 1997.
Garda Insp Feargal Patwell told the court in Killarney that the case was being withdrawn.
Pádraig O’Connell, solicitor for Mr O’Connor, said: “I am told by the authorities that that’s the position”.
The case came before Judge James O’Connor and the defendant was not in court.
