Augusta National and the Ryder Cup

mikeintopeka

This topic came up on a local Kansas City sports talk show this week while discussing The Masters, Augusta National, local players and their experiences, etc.

One of the hosts suggested that Augusta National host a Ryder Cup and thought the Club would jump at it if approached. After a long period of time of talking about how cool of an event it would be, especially seeing best ball matches and head-to-head match play, calmer heads prevailed.

It ended up the rational ones didn't think the Club would go for it for a lot of reasons, mainly, it is still a very PRIVATE CLUB. It was also felt the boorish behaviour during the Ryder Cup would be difficult to control since it brings in a different crowd than the Masters and 'National' has no control over who gets a ticket. Also, the Ryder Cup is played in September, long after the azeleas have bloomed and maybe the course doesn't show quite as beautifully.

It is a discussion worthy topic.

I'd love to see it happen though and I'd volunteer to help with crowd control.

fatshot

mikeintopeka
I DON'T think Augusta National would be interested, mainly because, as you mention, they would have less control over what went on as far as ticket sales, behavior of the crowds, etc. The PGA uses the Ryder Cup as a cash cow, and therefore anyone who can pony up the price of a ticket is welcome to show up, drink all the beer he wants, chant "USA....USA....Ole'....Ole-Ole-Ole" at the top of their lungs, etc., etc.
Bobby Jones and Cliff Roberts would be turning over in their graves!

Also, it seems to me that I've read that the club is closed most of the summer and early fall, since the wealthy members have their own private clubs that are open for golf back home.....so I don't think ANGC re-opens until October.

Ringoblack

mikeintopeka I too would love to see it happen, but it never will for the reasons you mentioned: crowd behavior and control. Too bad, it is a great idea.

Ringoblack

fatshot That's one reason the place looks so great. Not much play during the warm summer months. Plenty of time to manicure it and no one there to mess it up by playing a round.

johnnydoom

I got the impression listening to the new chairman the other day that any events not centered around the membership needed to occur in close proximity to Masters week. Sounds like the club already has a pretty limited season for the members and they aren’t too fond of anything taking more time from what’s available.

PA-PLAYA

Jones basically conceptualized ANGC as a winter course, an "escape" for their members from all over the country, and that hasn't changed throughout history. After the Masters concludes, the course closes for summer maintenance projects. It generally reopens in the fall months. They're not gonna levi their membership to a closed course in the fall months, especially considering that the members already have a limited number of rounds to play there as it is each season.

Not to mention that even though they've made the decision to include a women's amateur tournament there going forward, they still want it to remain exclusive beyond that.

Part of the interest that drives the mystique of the Masters tournament is that you only get to see it on TV one week a year.

I don't ever see that changing.

Ringoblack

PA-PLAYA Not to mention that even though they've made the decision to include a women's amateur tournament there going forward, they still want it to remain exclusive beyond that.

AND ....the first two rounds of that 3 round tournament will be played elsewhere. Plus, the RC is primarily played by the pros and they already have a tournament there for the pros. Its called The Masters. Not gonna happen.

kelco9

I say, "No...no no...no no no....nah no. And, no." I love the Ryder Cup; it may be my favourite golf event. But Augusta is for the Masters. It's sacred ground. That's all that should be played there, IMNSHO.

letthebigdogshunt

Sorry, no one would want to be at Augusta during a Ryder Cup match. Everyone would be thrown out before the first of the morning matches were done. No phones, no photos, no yelling no rowdy behavior, no yelling USA, USA no drinking or being drunk. Everyone would be tossed out before the afternoon matches started. Besides Augusta would rather have Gary McCord doing the Master telecast than have the Ryder Cup played there.

Weirfan

I wouldnt want to see a RC at ANGC.
Masters is a special event , there is so much history and lore plus eing the only major that repeats at the same course.

The whole Masters week Is unique and I wouldnt want to see anything take away from that.

PA-PLAYA

Ringoblack

Yeah, read that... initial thoughts are that they should allow at least two rounds there for the women's amateur event, but eventually I think it could/should happen. One round at Augusta National just doesn't seem sufficient to me based on the difficulty. If anything, have the first round at ANGC and have the remaining 36 holes on the same (different) course.

Throwing in a difficult, unknown layout for the final round just seems pointless to me.

If you're not gonna give the ladies two rounds there, then make it the opening round of their tournament, so at least they can adjust for the final day based on familiarity from the round prior.

But at least they've opened the door.

Ringoblack

will be interesting to see what the course set up will be.