Explained: Why does the Masters winner get a green jacket?
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why does the Masters winner get a green jacket
The Masters tournament is one of the four Major golf Championships, usually referred to simply as the Masters or the US Masters. Scheduled in April, it is usually the first Major tournament of each year, and brings an exciting opportunity for professionals to step up their games.
The Masters are always held at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia in southeastern United States. First introduced in 1934, the Masters are also now a money event on the PGA Tour. However, what make the Masters truly an iconic championship is the well known and historic green jacket that the winner receives every year. But, why does the Masters winner get a green jacket? What is the history behind the jacket, and why is it so iconic?
What are the origins of the iconic green jacket?
The original idea for the green Masters jacket was the brainchild of the great Bobby Jones. Inspired by the by the red hunting jacket worn by former captains of the Royal Liverpool club, the idea for the jacket was born after Jones won the Open of that trip in 1927. He felt that adding such a jacket would increase the gravitas that American Golf lacked, not to mention that it would look really smart.
When the Augusta National club opened in January of 1933, Jones introduced this idea to his business partner Clifford Roberts. However, the only issue was the colour. The pair struggled to choose, as red, yellow and every other colour seemed to already be taken. But soon as Roberts walked out, leaves underpinning the many azalea bushes found on the former Fruitland Nursery site caught his eye. Known as verdant green, the eureka moment shook him and a legendary green jacket was born.
Also read: “I haven’t given myself enough chances”: Rory McIlroy about struggle in winning a Major Title
What is the Green Jacket made of and why was it originally used?
Four years later in 1937, Roberts decided that all members attending the Masters would wear the green jacket, so that visitors could pick them out from the crowd and ask for directions. Of course, the thought of a wool jacket in the summer was not well received, but a different and lighter version of the jacket was accepted by all members.
Now one might think that these jackets of such reputation have to be made of fantastic material in some of the best factories in the world. However, it is quite the opposite. The jackets, even to today, are supplied by the Hamilton Tailoring Company of Cincinnati since 1967. Each single-breasted, centre-vented blazer costs just $250.
The jacket is cut and stitched in Dublin, Georgia by Victor Forstmann Inc. Each jacket is still made from a school uniform mix of wool and polyester and lined with sheer Bemberg rayon. The buttons – three for each cuff and three larger ones on the actual jacket – are made of polished brass by Waterbury Companies Inc. of Connecticut. The buttons bear the Augusta National logo and they match the one stitched onto the left-hand breast pocket before each jacket is finally delivered.
Why does the Masters winner get a green jacket now? What are the rules they must follow?
The first professional to receive a new green jacket was Sam Snead in 1949 from the hands of Jones himself. Fast forward 71 years, every winner gets the prestigious jacket that they treasure. First time winners are the only ones who are allowed to take the jacket off the club premises and only for the span of 12 months, till the next winner is crowned. After the year is over, each jacket is kept safely locked in the Champions locker and is only worn during the Masters week. However, in a recent change, winners are given a replica of the jacket that they may keep for themselves.
Perhaps the best known breaking of these rules involved three-time Masters champion Sir Nick Faldo. He wore his jacket during a number of high profile TV chat show interviews after his first win in 1989. This was severely against the rules, and frowned upon by the institution. However Seve Ballesteros pushed the envelope even further, as he flatly refused to return his jacket in 2002 when asked by Chairman, Hootie Johnson.
The iconic green jacket of the Masters has a great history behind it and in the years to come, it will be well known for the prestige that it holds.
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Saivee Phatak
(1164 Articles Published)