Golf originated in Scotland, where participants used sticks to hit pebbles around tracks. The game has since evolved and is now a regulated sport played worldwide.
One of its most famous tournaments is the PGA Tour, which organises several professional tours in North America. We’ve addressed the popularity of golf and the significance of the green jacket in the sport.
Popularity of Golf
Some of the most followed tours in the PGA include the US Open, the Tour Championship and the Masters. These events are played every year, with fans able to catch up with their favourite players in different opens. The increasing popularity of the sports has led to the introduction of more golf-themed entertainment events. There are golf-themed games that are playable online. For instance, online casino sites offer golf-themed video slots that feature golf clubs, balls and carts. Examples include Playtech’s Golden Tour, KA Gaming’s Hole in One and NuWork Gaming’s Birdy Bucks.
Furthermore, more sports sites have turned the spotlight on golf, with fans gathering around certain PGA events and even participating in PGA tour betting. This allows golf enthusiasts to closely follow their idols and predict the outright winners or top finishers in the tournaments. The Masters is the most notable golfing tournament, due to the calibre of its participants and the famous green jacket adorned by the winner.
The Green Jacket’s Origin
The green jacket, which has become an icon of the Masters, was first worn in 1937. The idea came from Bobby Jones, who helped build Augusta National Golf Club. At first, the jackets were bought in New York from the Brooks Uniform Company. The practice aimed to make Augusta National members stand out from the crowd so that people looking for information or help could easily find them.
In 1949, Sam Snead became the first Masters winner to earn the now-iconic Green Jacket, beginning a tradition still highly sought after today. The practice was retrospectively extended to all prior champions. The green coat stood for success, custom, and honour.
Significance of the Green Jacket
The Masters green jacket has become a legendary emblem of world-class golfing since its creation. The jackets were made for Augusta National members in 1937 but were heavy for Georgia’s warm weather. This caused a significant change in 1967 when the Hamilton Tailoring Co. of Cincinnati took over production and made a lighter version that worked better. The unique “Masters Green” colour of the jacket, which is Pantone 342, was selected to match Augusta’s ryegrass.
The Augusta National Golf Club logo is proudly displayed on the left chest pocket, and the club’s emblem is engraved on handmade brass buttons. Each jacket requires great care and takes about a month to make.
The Legacy of the Jacket
Although Masters winners are awarded this jacket, they only keep it for a year, after which they must return it to Augusta National. This preserves the suit’s exclusivity and maintains its appeal, with contenders hoping to be adorned in it by the end of subsequent Masters tours. Beyond its exquisite appearance, the green jacket remains a unique prize, representing a major achievement in golf and rendering every winner an icon in sports history.
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