Augusta’s bowl games
The green jacket that goes to the Masters winner each spring may be among the most recognizable prizes in professional sports. But it is just one of many ways Augusta National salutes stellar play during the tournament – and one more thing setting the year’s first major apart.
Start with the other awards the victor receives. They include a gold medal that features the Augusta National clubhouse and a sterling replica of the permanent Masters trophy, which also depicts that iconic structure and consists of more than 900 pieces of silver.
He also has his name engraved on the permanent trophy, which remains at the club.
As for the tournament runner-up, he, too, gets his name etched on that prize and also takes possession of a silver medal as well as a silver salver, both of which feature images of that same building.
Augusta National also acknowledges what are described in the Masters media guide as “outstanding feats” during the tournament. It’s a nice touch.
The low amateur goes home with some hardware as well, in the form of a stylish silver cup – but only if he makes the 36-hole cut.
Augusta National also acknowledges what are described in the Masters media guide as “outstanding feats” during the tournament. It’s a nice touch. For example, the club presents a crystal vase to the contestant, or contestants, who post the day’s low score through the competition. A hole-in-one earns a golfer a large crystal bowl, and the reward for an eagle is a pair of crystal glasses.
As one might expect, each piece of glassware is emblazoned with the Masters logo.
Then, there is the award going to whoever records an albatross. That tradition started in 1967 after Australian Bruce Devlin made a double eagle on the par-5 eighth hole in the first round. After the tournament, Clifford Roberts, the club and Masters chairman and co-founder, directed that a crystal bowl be specially made for the golfer. Given that Devlin’s albatross was the first one recorded during the Masters since Gene Sarazen’s “shot heard ’round the world” on No. 15 in 1935, Roberts thought it appropriate to present the same sort of vessel to the Squire – and that the club deliver it to Sarazen before shipping one to Devlin.
To the victor – and also those who are particularly shot-makers – goes some very cool spoils.
John Steinbreder
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Top: The Masters trophy
KEVIN C. COX, GETTY IMAGES