The Masters: April 05-11, 2004, Augusta National Golf Club

The Masters: April 05-11, 2004, Augusta National Golf Club
Press Release

Mike Weir became the first Canadian to win the Masters in 2003, making two clutch pars to force a playoff with Len Mattiace, and winning on the first extra hole with a simple tap-in for bogey. He'll join Tiger Woods and other previous winners in 2004 as they try to reclaim the glory of the green jacket.

Dates:
April 5-11, 2004

Coverage:
TBD

Course / Location:
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta, GA USA

Defending Champion:
Mike Weir (CAN)

Signature Hole:
13th Hole: 510 yards, par 5

Purse:
$5.6 Million

The Masters Tournament, golf's most unique major championship, was created by Clifford Roberts and legendary amateur Bobby Jones, who founded it to provide a service to golf. The first Masters, originally named the Augusta National Invitational Tournament, was played in March of 1934, and in 1940 moved to its permanent home during the first full week in April. The event entered the golf world's consciousness in 1935, when Gene Sarazen hit "the shot heard 'round the world" to make a double eagle on the par-5 15th hole and went on to win the title. Today, the Masters is known around the world for its azalea-draped scenery, its lack of commercialization and those famous green jackets.

Augusta National Golf Club gets its natural beauty honestly, as the venerable facility was built on the grounds of the former Fruitland Nurseries and each of the 18 holes is adorned with the trees and shrubs for which the holes are named. The course was created by club founder Bobby Jones and course architect Alister Mackenzie in 1933, and is best known for "Amen Corner" -- the 11th, 12th and 13th holes that often spell the difference between success and failure. Augusta National has been controversially lengthened in recent years, but remains a course where a delicate putting touch is mandatory.