Where Did That Green Jacket Come From?

Throwing you a bender because I just thought you should know...

So Bubba Watson makes a miracle wedge turn almost 90 degrees from the woods, plops it on the green and two putts to win his first Masters Championship. He heads to Butler Cabin to receive his size 42 long, green jacket and returns to the 18th green and the presentation is then repeated outside near the 18th green in front of the spectators.

Where exactly did this green jacket come from and why is it presented to the winner of a golf tournament? And what happens to the jacket once the cameras are turned off, the patrons head home, and the caddies turn in their white jump suits?

Although the tournament started in 1934, known then as the Augusta National Invitational, it was in 1937 when the members of Augusta first wore green jackets during the tournament so that patrons in attendance could easily recognize them if a question needed to be asked.

The jackets came from Brooks Uniform Company in New York City, were "Masters Green" in color and included the Augusta National Golf Club logo on the left chest pocket as well as on the brass buttons.

Soon, the Green Jacket became the symbol of membership in the ultra-exclusive Augusta National Golf Club. As each Masters winner becomes an honorary member of the club, slipping into the green jacket upon winning the tournament symbolizes that golfer's entry into the circle of Masters Champions and club members.

This tradition started upon Sam Snead winning the event in 1949 and being the first champion to be presented with a green jacket. Immediately though, he was also informed of the rules regarding his jacket! Such an exclusive club that even the clothing comes with regulations!

Upon receiving his jacket at the ceremony, the current champion is allowed to take the jacket home with him and keep it for one year. When he returns to Augusta National for the next year's event, he must bring the jacket back to the club. From that point on, the champion has "visitation rights" to his green jacket. The jacket is considered his, and when he visits Augusta National at any point thereafter, he can retrieve and wear his jacket. Multiple winners will still only be entitled to one jacket, unless their size drastically changes. Champions, fortunately, are not expected to answer fans’ questions about the nearest bathroom or tee box like paying members are required to do.

There has been one exception to this policy as Gary Player, after winning the Masters in 1961, refused to bring the jacket back to the club. he remains in possession of it to this day but has claimed to remain loyal to the spirit of the rule (it cannot be worn outside of Augusta National after that first year) and has never worn it.

A lesser known item is also presented to the yearly winner. Originally, Bobby Jones, having started the championship in 1934, awarded a three inch gold medal and a cash prize to the winner. It took 27 years for the Masters committee to come up with an appropriate trophy for the champion of their tournament.

Shortly before the 1961 tournament, the organizers finally commissioned a trophy. It was made in England and contained more than 900 individual pieces of sterling silver. It is a scaled down version of the Augusta National clubhouse, weighs 35 pounds and includes room for both the winners’ and runners-up names to be engraved on it each year.  The original trophy is kept and housed at the course and a replica is provided for each winner to have in their collection.

 

There are several other awards presented to players who perform exceptional feats during the tournament. The player who has the daily lowest score receives a crystal vase, while players who score a hole-in-one or a double eagle win a large crystal bowl. For each eagle a player makes he receives a pair of crystal goblets.

So while Louis Oosthuizen lost the playoff to Bubba Watson, he did go home with his name engraved on the Champions Trophy, and a lovely crystal bowl for his double eagle on Sunday. In addition, 28 sets of goblets were awarded and two more crystal bowls for holes-in-one along with four vases!

Also, just to keep the players coming back, there is still a little bit of cash awarded too.


All this because I know more about nothing...