Augusta National Golf Club Welcomes Masters 2007

One of the most exclusive Golf Clubs in the United States, The Augusta National Golf Clubs has about 300 members at any given time. It is so exclusive that its membership fees run up anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 a member. It is also hard to come by a membership at the club since it is by invitation only. There has never been an application process to be a member in this club. Although women are able to play its holes as guests of a member, there are no female members. This was challenged, however, in 2003 by the National Council of Women's Organizations.

The Club itself is one of the most famous worldwide and its success and architecture is mostly attributed to Bobby Jones, one of the greatest golfers of his time and one of the founders of the Masters Tournament, one of four major tournaments that is held at Augusta National Golf Club every year.

The Clubs course is very well known for its beautiful design and since the Masters is held during the spring, it is at its finest when the flowers and trees start to bloom. In fact, each of the holes on the course is named after a particular tree or bush that grows there. The 18 holes are named as follows and in order from Hole 1 to 18: Tea Olive, Pink Dogwood, Flowering Peach, Flowering Crab Apple, Magnolia, Juniper, Pampas, Yellow Jasmine, Carolina Cherry, Camellia, White Dogwood, Golden Bell, Azalea, Chinese Fir, Firethorn, Redbud, Nandina, and Holly.

The course also contains a few famous landmarks such as "The Big Oak Tree" which is about 150 years old, and the Eisenhower Tree that former President Dwight D. Eisenhower used to hit so many times that he wanted to have it cut down. This request was, of course, rejected by the Club Chairman at the time. Architecturally, the club is also known to house the Eisenhower Cabin, built for Dwight D. Eisenhower after he was elected President of the United States.

The Augusta National Golf Club is also known for the Green Jacket, which is given to the winner of the Masters Tournament each year. Awarded since 1949, the jacket is something that is sought after by many professional golfers and is the official coat worn by club members only on club grounds. Since each winner becomes an honorary club member, he is privileged to wear the jacket whenever he visits. Some winners include golfing greats Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

This year, the Green Jacket is up for grabs again in the Masters Tournament 2007. 100 players will be playing in the contest that will be held from April 2 to 8. Aside from the jacket, a cash award and membership on the PGA Tour will be given to the winner. The prizes in this tournament are so grand that the fund for it was reportedly up to US$7 million in 2006. This year marks the return of Masters 2006 winner Phil Mickelson, who will play and try to defend his title as champion.