Augusta National Golf Course Tag

As the Augusta National finished hosting the Women’s amateur tournament this past weekend, my thoughts are about the continuing growth of women’s sports and women's golf, and also about the women that have lead the sport throughout history.

I remember seeing the name Patty Berg for the first time on the clubs in my mother’s golf bag. From her first clubs when she was a teen, all the way through her adulthood, my mom's clubs were Patty Berg’s woods and irons. I started golfing when I was 3 years old and even before I was big enough, I was obsessed with those Patty Berg’s! I was convinced my little kid clubs were holding back my game.

In the summertime, I golfed every week with grandparents and recall being told numerous times by them that Patty Berg was the greatest female golfer in history. She was a founding member of the LPGA, and from 1937 to 1961, she dominated the game with 57 LPGA and WPGA tournament wins. She won 15 majors during her career

Arnold Palmer is perhaps the most recognizable golf name in the history of the sport and one of the greatest golfers of all time. I recently watched In Depth with Graham Bensinger’s tribute to Arnold Palmer and I was inspired by Arnold’s lifetime of career achievements, his dedication to his community, and the passion of his fans forever known as “Arnie’s Army”.

The episode of In Depth is a must-see for golf fans highlighting Arnie’s incredible career, all the wins on the Tour, and the iconic Masters Tournament moments. It also defines how he is the grandfather of modern sports marketing and golf fandom. Sure there were passionate golf fans before Arnold Palmer. But did anyone have his own Army of fans?

Unbelievably, Arnie never personally founded Arnie’s Army.

In 1959, television was becoming a part of every American household and golf was being broadcasted more than it ever had been before. The tickets to the Masters that year were sold for $5 a piece,

washingtonpost.com

It’s tough to avoid Augusta National, especially when you are here every year working the event. A lot of the people that work with me in this industry camp out at our hospitality clubs, shuttle people back and forth between hotels, and distribute Masters Tickets to all our customers, working tirelessly throughout the whole week. We stuff ourselves on the endless buffets starting on Monday. By Thursday we are looking for looser fitting pants. By Sunday we can’t even look at the dessert tray, except maybe for one last key lime mousse. Yes, I’m working in Augusta during The Masters. But some of us, make that almost of all of us, haven’t seen the course in years. Augusta National is just down the street. We can sometimes hear the cheers from the galleries. Our customers return from the course sunburned and smiling, telling us about how Rory was swinging or how Phil looked on 7. Sure, the neighbors back home are jealous of us. We are lucky to be here. It’s exciting being in this small city during such a prestigious event. But….

The Masters Golf Tournament is currently underway in Augusta, Georgia. All of our Masters Travel Packages include full access to the entire Augusta National Golf Course!

Sports Traveler has 2012 Masters Golf Travel Packages on-sale today!

2012 Masters Packages offer many different options for the true golf fan. These packages include:

- Hotel accommodations in Augusta near the course
- Guaranteed tickets to any round of the Masters
- Transportation to the course
- Options on Daily Hospitality with food, drinks, and entertainment
- Celebrity Receptions can also be added-on

View 2012 Masters Travel Packages

And so comes that time of year again here in Chicago when I get into my car and realize that my window has a fresh coat of frost on it and I have no idea what happened to my scraper. It's nearly November and darn it, winter is coming!

When I got to the office this morning I started reviewing the Masters video that we just completed here at Sports Traveler. And ahhhhh, Augusta National. Just saying those words brings a smile to my face. It's so green, beautiful, with the manicured fairways, and the great golf! Remembering my days that I've spent walking that course just makes me feel happy. It's a special place to me. My first trip there I was supposed to go out on the course for 2 hours and come back to meet with some people. Instead I disappeared into the galleries for the entire day. I came out 9 hours later, sunburned, with a big smile on my face having witnessed some of the best golf I've ever seen in my life and also with the strongest desire to go to a driving range to try and replicate

Sports Traveler has posted our favorite Masters Golf photos from the beautiful Augusta National on the Sports Traveler Facebook page! See Amen Corner and Golden Bell plus photos of some of the best scenery in all of golf.

View our Masters photos: https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=162950&id=32833389999

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Book your Masters Tickets & Travel Packages now while inventory is still available. Masters Packages include hotel accommodations in Augusta, tickets to the any of the rounds of the tournament, plus options on transfers, 1018 Club Hospitality, and much more.

Masters Badges can also be purchased for any day of the tournament. All badges are general admission and allow you on to the course for the entire day.

Attend the Masters in style by booking passes to the 1018 Hospitality Club. Located adjacent to the course, the 1018 Club provides you with the best hospitality experience. Enjoy amazing food all day with an open bar, tv's broadcasting tournament coverage, complimentary premium cigars, live music, valet parking, and more.

View Masters Golf Tickets & Packages