PETE COWEN

Why I’ve never played Augusta

Ifi rst went to Augusta National back in 1994 as a coach and I’ve been going every year since, but I’ve never wanted to play the course. Despite being invited to play on numerous occasions. Don’t get me wrong it is one of the greatest courses in the world and the way it is prepared for the Masters is outstanding. The fairways are like greens and the greens a blemish free like a snooker tablecloth.

Over the last 22 years there has been a fair amount of change due to the distance players started to hit it off the tee. Back in 1994 it was a relatively easy course but in 1997 when Tiger won by 12 he made it look too easy. He could hit driver and a sand iron into 18, so something needed to be done. The tee boxes have now been pushed back to make it more challenging but that has also played into the hands of the bigger hitters and alienates the old guard.

Old guard should move over

Ian Woosnam has decided he’s not playing this year and I think he’s got it right. If you do not stand a chance of winning you should not enter. Which is why I think past winner’s entitlement should expire at 55 or 60. I know Langer would disagree, as he thinks that he can still win any tournament, and I admire him for that. But realistically he cannot compete with the likes of Rory, Rahm, Morikawa and Brooks. I believe those places should go to the younger talent that stand a chance of winning. This is one of the greatest Majors and yet the fi eld is one of the smallest on Tour. Imagine if they had a qualifi er for fi ve extra spots into the event. You would give fi ve in form players to the chance to shine and shake things up.

Despite the condition of the course, it’s not my favorite place. It is everything that is good about golf and the not so! They are very selective about who they want to have playing and you can’t forget that the Masters started out as an invitational event, which is why the fi eld is so limited and exclusive .But that isn’t what a Major should be about. In my opinion it should be a full fi eld. Having said that the spectators or patrons get treated better than any other event. It really is a fi rst-class experience for them. To witness just how hilly the courses is and how immaculately it is prepared still impresses me, let alone someone going for the fi rst time. It is also very affordable once people are in. With a sandwich and beer costing less than ten pounds the fans are not exploited, unlike other events, though it’s said the average spectator spends $2,000 on merchandise during the week. I always come back with something for people but not two grands worth. So, I guess I bring the average spend down!

So back to the question of why I’ve never played the course. In 1994 I played all the short holes but since then you need to remember I’m at the tournament to work. I’ve kindly been offered to play by a number of members over the years but I wouldn’t think about making a special trip to play any golf course around the world. I fl y all over the world to work with my players on some of the greatest courses but in my own personal time the last thing I want to be doing is fl ying anywhere to play golf. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I played 18 holes, it was such a long time ago.

If I wasn’t able to play Augusta in my professional prime, I would certainly not want to play now. Thankfully I can appreciate the course, having watched my players take it on over the years.

Green Rolex from Hideki

I’ve had the fortune to work with some great players at Augusta over last 28 years, but it wasn’t until Danny won in 2016 had I got one of my players into a Green Jacket. Then last year we got another when Hideki won the 85th Masters by one from Zalatoris. This year at The Players Hideki gave me a green Rolex that was engraved with the words: “Thanks for all your help Pete, Hideki.” It was a nice surprise. He always said he wanted to give me a gift for all the help I’ve provided over the years. I’ve been supporting Hideki on and off whenever he asked since the 2013 Open at Muirfi eld. Let’s just hope his neck is ok and he can defend this year. Ironically, he didn’t injure himself in the gym but apparently he slept awkwardly and now he’s having acupuncture to sort it out.

The Masters this year feels a little weird, whether it is lockdown after-effects and all the other things that are happening in the world right now, but the season doesn’t feel to have got started. The majority of big names haven’t come into Major form, but some have showed signs at the Match Play the other week. Morikawa and Hovland have started well but Scottie Scheffl er looks to be peaking just in time. But to win the Masters you also need to know the course and that comes from experience. ■

1994