Robert MacIntyre on the 13th hole at Augusta National during the second round
Logan Whitton, Augusta National
Augusta National’s tradition of reprimanding or punishing those who flout its rules and decorum standards during the Masters continued this year with two high-profile incidents.
During Thursday’s first round, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre made an obscene gesture toward the 15th green in frustration after his second shot hit the green on the par-5 and rolled back into the water in front. After taking a drop, he dumped his fourth shot into the same pond and eventually left with a quadruple-bogey 9 on the way to an opening 80. MacIntyre, a two-time PGA Tour winner, also used profanity on Nos. 12 and 13 and slammed his club into the ground after hitting his approach shot on No. 17, ESPN.com reported.
After the round, an Augusta National official reprimanded MacIntyre and reminded him of the club’s code of conduct, The Scotsman reported. He missed the cut after a Friday 71.
Two days earlier, honorary invitee Mark Calcavecchia, the 1988 Masters runner-up and 1989 Open Championship winner, was removed from the property for violating Augusta National’s no-cell-phone policy, according to a Golfweek report. Reached for comment, Calcavecchia did not offer any details on the incident but did not deny that it happened, the report said. READ MORE
While Augusta National’s new Player Services Building, an imposing edifice behind the practice tee, debuted at this year’s Masters, another newly constructed building – the Governors Lodge – also drew notice. Located to the left of the 10th hole, the structure fulfills the vision of club founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts to construct a lodge for visiting members, according to a plaque outside its doors.
“In the early days of Augusta National, Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts envisioned a ‘lodge of simple design that would not overshadow the clubhouse,’” the plaque reads in part.
“First proposed to members in 1937, the lodge was not built due to financial constraints. In 1940, the lodge was presented to members again, but with the onset of World War II, the additional sleeping quarters were never constructed.
“The Governors Lodge is inspired by Roberts’ and Jones’ original idea and serves members who visit Augusta National during member parties.” READ MORE
Tap-Ins
The ticket registration website for the 2027 PGA Championship in Frisco, Texas, went live last Monday, the PGA of America announced. The registration period ends May 18, with ticket sales slated to begin May 20. READ MORE
Mike Reynard, a noted English amateur competitor who was runner-up at the 1995 R&A Amateur Championship and played alongside the likes of Justin Rose, Paul Casey and Luke Donald, died March 31. He was 64. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity
