Lee Trevino on Clifford Roberts and the Masters

PIGDivot

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/golf/Lee-Trevino-talks-about-the-Masters-375030641.html

Do you agree with what Trevino says here...

"I (didn’t have a problem) with the Masters itself, my problem was with Cliff Roberts,” Trevino said during his visit to Memphis Thursday to appear at a FedEx St. Jude Classic function. “He and I did not see eye to eye and we couldn’t stand each another. "

After visiting Augusta last week, and having time to reflect on how Augusta chooses to operate it's tournament and it's club, I think there are plenty of golf courses and tournaments that I can spend my time and money at, more so than catering to some of the more ridiculous nuances of trying to please the green coats.

I think visiting Pinehurst this past weekend got me thinking about such things; most specifically of how exclusive ANGC is and how they have a "keep out" sign on everything, and every one. I can go to Pinehurst, or Pebble Beach, and drop a ton of money at any of these places, and I don't have to win a lottery for tickets, or know someone just to get in the gates. Heck, I was even reading up on how difficult, if next to impossible it is to even volunteer at the Masters. Sure, I get it, you get to volunteer, and then come back and actually are afforded the opportunity to play the course. But there are so many other beautiful golf courses in fantastic shape that are happy to welcome you, and of course, take your money.

I had the opportunity this past week to caddie for my brother in a hickory golf tournament at Mid Pines. And due to someone cancelling at the last minute, I actually played hickory golf with his group on Sunday, for free no less. Mid Pines was in impeccable shape, and the greens were as good as any course I have every played. And as fast as you would want.

So I guess to put it all in perspective, why fight those that are doing everything they can to keep people out, when you can go other places that will openly make you feel welcome and invited without having to win the lottery.

Release

Why people pay a fortune for "art" ? Or some intangible property ?

You prop it up high then people will think that was the ceiling !

One of our local golf course resembles the Augusta National in their "exclusivity" and the way they accept new members. Must be introduced by at least one of their current members, must have minimum of 10 current members vouch for your characters and good standing in the community. I remembered the time 15 years ago they accepted the first minority as a new member and it made local news.
Today, I heard they have difficulties recruiting new members, so they are thinking of starting a Junior Membership. Guess all the old farts died off.................

As for Mr. Travino. I don't doubt what he said and understand why he felt that way decades ago, but Mr. Travino also had the reputation of not having the same easy going personality as he portrait in the public. Pretty certain there were two sides of the coin.

Ringoblack

Release As for Mr. Travino. I don't doubt what he said and understand why he felt that way decades ago, but Mr. Travino also had the reputation of not having the same easy going personality as he portrait in the public. Pretty certain there were two sides of the coin.

That is certainly true; but Roberts was quite a piece of work. Go read some historical info on him and Augusta National Golf or just on Clifford Roberts. It is interesting. And, at the risk of tarnishing a gilded reputation, I have often wondered how Bobby Jones could put up with some of it, given the way Jones is typically portrayed in public.

Release

Ringoblack
Clifford Roberts was not that much a golfer, a CPA and financial consultant by trade and he certainly acted like most of the CPA I had known ( successful CPA ).
He was loyal, resourceful, a trust worthy friend and probably one of the reasons why Augusta National had survived through the lean years.

Ringoblack

Sure, I get it, you get to volunteer, and then come back and actually are afforded the opportunity to play the course. But there are so many other beautiful golf courses in fantastic shape that are happy to welcome you, and of course, take your money.

Despite all the smiles and politeness, ANGC, is a very exclusive club. They have done a good amount to make it more inclusive, but its still a very limited and exclusive group of people there. I think the current chairman (Billy Payne) has done a lot to bring it up with current social sentiments.

Ringoblack

No doubt about it.

FauxAmish

To me it is sour grapes from Trevino.

At the time when he competed at the Masters, He always complained that the course did not suit His game.

Being true to His character, a Party first player in His initial years on the tour. He came to our local charity outing in 1969 and proceeded to slam beer after beer on the back nine.

He was never invited back.

I like Him as a player, not as a person. JMO

Sneakylong

The Masters is my least favorite Major. I don't like their 'less is more' policy regarding TV coverage. Most of us will never see a Masters in person. The only time you see the front 9 is on the weekend. I agree with Trevino on their elitist attitude.

mcavoy

Sneakylong If you go to Masters.com or download the Masters app you can see front 9 coverage on Thursday and Friday with featured groups.

PIGDivot

Sneakylong The Masters is my least favorite Major. I don't like their less is more policy regarding TV coverage. Most of us will never see a Masters in person. The only time you see the front 9 is on the weekend. I agree with Trevino on their elitist attitude.

After getting tickets through one of my Dad's friend for this year's Monday practice round, I actually am more turned off by the way the Masters handles their tournament with regards to tickets, etc. I honestly don't understand the mayhem that is a lottery for tickets, and the limitation on spectators, and being forced to call them "patrons" and a hundred or so other "rules" that no other tournament uses or employs.

I live less than 3 hours from Ponte Vedra Beach, and my wife and I are traveling over to attend the Saturday round of the Players tournament next month. We went last year and had a great time. And because I was prior military I got tickets for $25. Beyond the chaos of parking, once you are on the grounds it's like one big party, especially around #17. Everyone was having a good time, and anyone that wanted in to the place could get in. I didn't need a lottery, or to know someone, or to be 6 generations removed from Bob Jones' family and friends. I could take pictures, and enjoy myself and go anywhere I wanted, without fear of some security guard telling me I couldn't do that. I hardly noticed much of a different between the people at the Masters and the Players, other than there were exponentially more hot women in low cut whatever at the Players to give my eyes a constant thrill.

I suppose it's the fact that when you do get tickets to the Masters you feel like you won something, which you have, and any other tournament might be no big deal for the same reason, because you can go anytime you want, if you have the time and money. But give it 10 or 20 years and the Players will have enough tradition and memories to rank right up there with the Masters. Just one example, but you get the idea.

I honestly can do without the Masters and their elitist snobbery. There are plenty of other PGA tournaments within an easy drive of my house to attend and support that have the same level of golf, and mostly the same players.

FauxAmish

mcavoy

Yep.

Sneakylong

mcavoy

I might have done that one year. Not my favorite way of watching golf. Still my point is the other Majors have much more TV coverage. Doesn't mean you have to watch 10 hours of coverage, but it's nice to have the ability to watch more coverage if you choose to do so.

Ringoblack

Not to defend them, but one reason tickets are limited is that they can only accommodate so many people on the site, and parking has been difficult too. It's certainly not a huge property with plenty of space. They are taking steps to improve the parking according to Billy Payne's statement this year. I do, however, think that their philosophy of limiting admission makes the tickets more sought after.

Release

Ringoblack Not to defend them, but one reason tickets are limited is that they can only accommodate so many people on the site, and parking has been difficult too. It's certainly not a huge property with plenty of space. They are taking steps to improve the parking according to Billy Payne's statement this year. I do, however, think that their philosophy of limiting admission makes the tickets more sought after.

From what I learned, off site parking has been used many years just like other major tournament. Not a big issue.
The goal of affording every "patron" at the Masters Tournament an enjoyable experience put a limit on the daily tickets issued. Everything is well planned, from the condition of the golf course to the concession stand on the ground.......... I think other tournament had been copying after the Augusta National on how to run a successful golf tournament.

There is an interesting book about the Augusta National for anyone interest in the back ground of the tournament and Clifford Roberts. The Making Of The MASTERS by David Owen.

Spartan

Part of the reason the tickets are more sought after is that the vast majority of the tickets go to the same people year after year after year. Unlike other majors where most of the tickets are available to the general public. But that may be a function of those events moving to different locations each year.

PA-PLAYA

Part of the allure has always been the exclusivity of this major tournament, the general consensus among the Green Coat establishment buying into the traditional premise that less equals more.

Obviously Trevino never felt welcomed there, just as many others, I'm sure, felt somewhat similar over the years. He's entitled to his opinions.

But despite the elitism that obviously exists there, the layout itself is ultimately the trump card they hold as a private entity. It's their prerogative. They're not bound by contractual agreements to anyone other than those sponsors trying to cash on the biggest show in golf they put on, and anyone (from eligible players who are invited, all the way down to the blue-collar 9-5 viewers watching on television) who feel that they don't agree with the way things are run - they obviously reserve the right to not watch or attend.

We often encourage the disenfranchised to withhold their support from those establishments or businesses that don't represent their ideologies or beliefs. The same applies here. Don't like how it's run? Don't care for that element of elitism? Don't watch. Or if you're a player - don't attend. Or if you get offered a practice-round ticket - don't attend.

One thing they've shown over the years is that they're not in a position to have to bow before public opinion, and on some small level - I personally find that refreshing. I'm okay with them calling the shots. I don't have anything other than a pastime 1-week viewing interest invested. It's their show, they can run it however they see fit.

And apparently a majority of sports fans (many who don't even follow the sport that closely) don't have an issue with it either, otherwise they wouldn't account for the tens of millions of viewers who tune in every year.

PA-PLAYA

Oh, I forgot to mention... Cliff Roberts was a surly sonofabitch, to be sure. He didn't have many friends, and once Bobby Jones passed away - Roberts became a recluse of sorts. He still felt obligated to uphold the old traditions, and was increasingly stubborn in his ways, all the way up until he took his own life with a pistol somewhere in the vicinity of the par3 course as it is today. But he had as much invested there as Jones did... he was just as much a part of that place's legacy as Jones was. When Jones passed, a huge part of Roberts went with him. The remaining years were quite different.

But make no mistake - Cliff Roberts was an absolute genius regarding business, albeit an egomaniac in his own right. He didn't care who he pissed off. He was the biggest prick on earth, but he also knew he held all of the cards, that part of the very reason that place existed was because of him also.

Bangoman

.......and I might add Release I very much enjoyed his interviews with the Winner and the Amatuer Winner for low score. He added a classy attitude in that few minutes segment. I liked the guy. He seemed like a no nonsense type. Trevino on the other hand was just as big a Prick as Roberts seemed to be by your posts. And he always cried that if you don't have a draw you cannot Win the Masters. Well, Lee, I guess you should have taken it a bit more inside....!

Release

Bangoman

Yes, as the Martha Burke incident. Augusta will not be bullied to change their way.

Actually, I read somewhere the planning of introducing minority members into the Augusta National had been discussed and planned for years before Burke got wind of it and tried to steal the headline by staging the protest so she could claim she's the one brought down the iron curtain. Wrong, her protest had set back the change for years simply because no one wants to be bullied, especially when they have the power and the will to resist.

And yes, I too, enjoyed watching the TV interview after the Masters tournament. Something of old value and tradition.

mcavoy

Bangoman Yes and Trevino has also said he felt his ball flight was too low to win at Augusta as well. Well Arnie didn't hit it sky high and he did pretty well there. Jack, the greatest fader of the ball ever won 6 times on a course Martin Kaymer convinced himself he needed to learn to draw the ball to do well on (and hurt his game in the process). Golf Channel did a "Big 4" interview several years ago with Nicklaus, Palmer, Player and Trevino and both Jack and Arnie took Trevino to task about Augusta telling him it was his attitude that prevented him from winning there, not his game.

Ringoblack

They also have an attitude of rewarding those Patrons who have supported them in years past-thus, as you mentioned, the fact that first right of refusal for tickets goes to those who had them the past year.

I attended back in 1993 and was offered tickets the next year. Now I wish I had continued with them. Oh well!

Release

Ringoblack

They keep track of the tournament tickets and most likely will know if the tickets been resold for profit.

I read somewhere they used to offer tickets to the near by residents and these tickets used to be resold to supplement the household income ( back then anyways ). Not sure if this is still being practiced today.