Pitch and putt lovers: Now’s the time to avert your eyes, as the top brass at Augusta National Golf Club is in the midst of something horrifying. No, they’re not hosting marathon screenings of Gigli at the Crow’s Nest—it’s something far, far worse. Augusta National Golf Club has transformed its historic Par-3 course into a giant, Atlanta clay-filled crater.
The wind gusts of adjust
Designed in 1958, the traditional Masters warm-up course now sits like an open abscess in the face of professional golf’s Shangri-La; a visible reminder that change is the only constant, and nothing gold can truly stay.
Though we desperately wish it was some cruel joke, it’s unfortunately true. It’s much like legal Atlanta sports betting coming to life in that regard.
Augusta National has not provided comment on the ongoing construction, but photographs clearly show a large hole in the earth where the Par-3 course once existed.
Hopefully, when players tee off for the 2023 Masters, the renovations will be complete and that fun tradition will continue.
Therefore, what’s i9000 actually taking place?
From rumors floating around on the internet, it appears that the project has been helmed by architect Tom Fazio. What that project is exactly, no one knows at this juncture.
There has not been any confirmation on a comprehensive course overhaul. Also, nothing on whether Augusta National Golf Club has other plans in mind for the acreage. They have remained mum on the subject thus far.
A wealthy history
Opened for the first time in 1958, Augusta National Golf Club’s Par-4 Course is the Wednesday feature of Masters Week. Since 1960, the course has served as a warm-up, providing family-friendly entertainment and tradition ahead of the flagship event on the PGA’s Major circuit.
Sam Snead won that inaugural contest, but notably, no winner of the Par-3 Tournament has ever gone on to win the Masters that year.
The contest canceled the previous two years amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, returned for the 2022 Masters, crowning co-champion Canadians Mackenzie Hughes and Mike Weir as the winners.
Depending on Augusta National’s plans for the area, that could be a sports history note that stands forever. For now, we’re left with the gaping chasm where the Par-3 Course once stood.
Fingers crossed that the Par-3 Course will be back up and running for the 2023 Masters Tournament.
Billings Breazeale is a freelance journalist with a focus on sports, business, and the business of sports. An Atlanta native currently residing in Orlando, Carter graduated from The University of Florida. Since 2018, he has covered the Atlanta Falcons for SBNation’s site, The Falcoholic.
