Masters: Stories of the rich and famous who have played Augusta National
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Augusta National Golf Club is on the must-play bucket list of pretty much everyone who’s ever swung a golf club. There are two ways to get on the course: you’ve got to know somebody, or you’ve got to be somebody. Let’s take a look at a few well-known folks who have wrangled their way onto the sacred links. Their scores might make you feel a bit better about the state of your game, even if the venue doesn’t.
Peyton Manning: The former quarterback shot a 77 during a round at Augusta in 2013, part of a team-building exercise with Denver Broncos brass.
John Elway: The only Broncos QB with a more sterling record on the field than Manning also beat him on the golf course, shooting a 72 during that same round.
Warren Buffett: Told Dan Patrick that he’s a member of Augusta National — come on, Warren Buffett doesn’t worry about keeping secrets of that nature — and also confessed to shooting an 89.
Bill Gates: Like Buffett, he’s got a member’s green jacket. He’s also got a bit of game — enough that, according to Buffett, Gates shot a hole in one playing on the Par 3 course. That particular shot cost each of the members of Gates’ foursome $5,500, as they split the cost of drinks for everyone in the clubhouse. (What were they drinking, Pappy Van Winkle by the bottle?)
Rush Limbaugh: Had played five times as of 2017. “You really feel like you’re in hallowed ground, and you don’t want your round to end because you don’t want to have to leave the place,” Limbaugh told his radio audience. “You don’t care how well you play the first time. Second, third time, then you say, ‘Okay, now I want to play well. I’ve gotten being here out of my system. Now I want to…' It’s difficult as hell. It’s so much more difficult than it even looks on TV.”
Presidents: Dwight Eisenhower, obviously, played the course enough that he got landmarks named after him. Richard Nixon played when he was Ike’s vice-president. Ronald Reagan played a memorable round that involved a hostage crisis at the club’s pro shop. George H.W. Bush played after he was president. While Donald Trump has been spotted on the grounds at Augusta National during the Masters, there’s no indication he’s ever played the course.
Steph Curry: The Golden State Warriors gunner is a good enough golfer that he’s won sponsors’ exemptions into actual, real-life golf tournaments. He didn’t disclose what he shot when he played Augusta recently, but did admit to birdieing the first hole … which is a feat Tiger Woods can’t often manage.
Jim Nantz: When he’s not caressing the airwaves with his gentle tones, he’s caressing the fairways with his gentle swing, or something like that. Back in 2010, he played a round with Arnold Palmer. Palmer three-putted for a double-bogey on 10, and Nantz told the following story: “As he was coming out of his knee bend from retrieving his ball from the cup, one of the guests, brandishing a scorecard, said, ‘What did you make, Arnold?’ Arnold gave me a quick, telling glance that said, ‘Help me out here.’ As we walked to the 11th tee, I suggested to the other guest that he ride with Arnold for a while. Then, to the fellow who had the scorecard, I said quietly, ‘Just my two cents, but I've played a lot of golf with Arnold, and we never keep score. At this stage of Arnold's life, any round—especially here, today—is so much more enjoyable when it isn't being recorded for posterity.’ The man understood, and we never saw the scorecard and pencil again.”
Mark Wahlberg, Jon Hamm, Bill Murray: Three of Hollywood’s most notable golfing types have walked the grounds at Augusta National during the Masters, and it’s a safe bet at least some of them have teed it up afterward.
Wayne Gretzky: The Great One’s daughter is married to Dustin Johnson, so Gretzky’s gotten the chance to play AGNC a few times, shooting, in his estimation, somewhere in the high 80s. “It’s a very special place, kind of like Yankee Stadium or Maple Leaf Gardens in hockey, Wimbledon for tennis,” Gretzky said. “It’s so unique. One of the things you can’t change in sports is the history of the game. And the history of this place is so spectacular.”
Larry the Cable Guy: Larry got ‘er done at Augusta National, shooting, in his recollection, a 91. But he did par all three holes of Amen Corner while doubling 10 and 14.
Samuel L. Jackson: Nick Fury claims a six handicap, and has played Augusta National on multiple occasions. As a wrap gift for filming the movie “Freedomland” in 2006, Jackson received three rounds at Augusta. He also claims to have carded an eagle over the water on the famed 15th.
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