The Masters' Rich History and Unifying Role

The Masters tournament, held at Augusta National Golf Club, has a rich history dating back to 1934, with its iconic green jacket tradition beginning in 1949 to honor winners like Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer. Augusta National was founded during the Great Depression by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts and became a premier golfing venue, enduring interruptions like World War II when it ceased operations for four years. The tournament has also served as a stage for cultural milestones, such as Lee Elder becoming the first African-American to compete in 1975, highlighting the racial challenges faced by Black golfers. Currently, The Masters stands as a rare event where players from the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded LIV Golf can compete, despite ongoing divisions in the golf world.