Three-time Masters champion Gary Player is in a bitter row with Augusta National Golf Club after the 90-year-old was denied a round on the hallowed turf with his grandchildren.
The South African, who won the green jacket in 1961, 1974 and 1978, blasted the current regime at the famed club in a fiery interview.
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Player has had a complicated relationship with Augusta despite his success in The Masters, and being an honorary starter alongside fellow legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson every year.
The nine-time major champion and career grand slam winner’s son Wayne was banned for life by the club five years ago for a marketing stunt.
Wayne was present in the traditional full-white outfit to caddie for his father and took his opportunity to hold up a pack of golf balls for all the cameras to see.
The promotional effort was not well received, hence the ban, and Player’s relationship with the green jacket hierarchy became more interesting a year later when he said The Masters was “the worst” of men’s golf four major championships.
Regardless of the comments, Augusta National clearly still holds a special place in Player’s heart and he is deeply hurt by the refusal of his request for an unforgettable family moment.
“I have been an ambassador for Augusta for all these years, yet they won’t let me have one round of golf in my life with my three grandsons,” Player said.
“All the courses that have hosted the Open, the US Open and the [US] PGA would oblige, but they won’t do it at Augusta.
“My grandsons are dying to know about their grandfather’s episodes on that golf course. It is just this current management there. But these are the times we live in, and I accept it, but I accept it with sadness.
“When I go there, I feel like I am walking on to a golf course in heaven. I tread very carefully and I love Augusta so much – but I don’t like all the rules.”
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Player’s comments once again shines the spotlight on Augusta National’s unique set of rules.
Champions are only allowed to keep their green jacket for the twelve months immediately following their victory, meaning Rory McIlroy will have to place his green jacket in his new locker in the famous Champions’ Locker Room and leave it there every time he departs Augusta.
Despite having their own space within the clubhouses, champions are not considered full members.
Even five-time winner Tiger Woods is only an honorary member and has to be joined on the course by a full member.
Player is particularly irked by the fact that his contemporaries Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus were elevated to full member.
And as the first non-American to win The Masters, Player believes his influence on the tournament was as big as Palmer and Nicklaus’.
“There are a lot of things that have made Augusta what it is, but the part we [the big three] played was a prevalent part of my career,” Player said.
“Bobby Jones [the co-founder] was a wonderful man and a wonderful asset to a wonderful tournament, as was president Eisenhower [who was a member] as was [the other co-founder] Clifford Roberts. Those three people, they basically made Augusta.
“Then Arnold, Jack and I came along, and we fought it out every year, and then we made Augusta thanks to the coverage and publicity we generated around the Masters – whether the club likes to admit it or not. They won’t admit it, but we made Augusta.”
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