The "Augusta Effect" Masters Communique

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Augusta National Hole #13

THE “AUGUSTA EFFECT” Where can you find a place where no grass blade is out of place, where vibrant azaleas are in full bloom, and where birds perfectly chirp each day? Augusta National … home of The Masters and host to the greatest major championship each year. Augusta National never fails to provide the best golfers in the world with arguably the best playing conditions they will ever encounter. Each year during The Masters weekend, golf course superintendents throughout the world deal with what is known in the golf course maintenance industry as the “Augusta Effect.” The maintenance team at Augusta National has set the standard extremely high with pristine conditions, beautiful landscaping and the fastest greens the most elite players will experience all year. As members from a variety of golf clubs watched The Masters this past weekend, they may have thought, “Why isn’t my club as beautiful as Augusta?” In this communique, we have highlighted some of the “hows” and “whys” Augusta National playing conditions are near perfect every year. 1. GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND During the season, Augusta has 50+ team members. During The Masters, with the help of volunteers, this number exceeds 150! In addition, Augusta receives hundreds of resumes each year from young aspiring superintendents from all over the country wanting to be a part of the Augusta National experience.

Tiger Woods on a green at Augusta. In the background, 18 mowers cutting a fairway.

A small army of maintenance workers perform storm cleanup at The Masters.

Over 22 maintenance team members rake a bunker on #10. That would be the entire team at The National and Loch Lloyd!


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