Masters champion banned from playing at Augusta as golf row emerges | Golf | Sport
Gary Player has been denied permission to play with his three grandsons (Image: Getty)
Gary Player has revealed that Augusta National have refused his request to play a four-ball with three of his grandsons. The golf legend became the first non-American player to wear the hallowed green jacket when he won his first Masters title in 1961. He followed up by winning it twice more in 1974 and 1978 on his way to becoming one of the tournament’s most iconic champions.
Player has been an honorary starter at the Masters since 2012 and carried out that role at last year’s tournament. His legacy is deeply woven into the history of Augusta National, which has hosted the event since its inception in 1934. Despite this, the 90-year-old says he has been denied permission to play a single round with his grandsons at the iconic course.
He admitted that he was saddened by the decision, telling Golf Monthly: “I have been an ambassador for Augusta for all these years, yet they won’t let me have one round of golf in my life with my three grandsons.
“My grandsons are dying to know about their grandfather’s episodes on that golf course. All the golf courses that have hosted The Open, the US Open and the PGA would oblige, but they won’t do it at Augusta.
“It is just this current management there, but these are the times we live in and I accept it, but I accept it with sadness.”
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It is notoriously rare for players to become fully-fledged members of Augusta National, regarded as one of the most exclusive clubs in world sport.
Player is the only member of the so-called Big Three, which also consists of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, not to have joined.
“There are a lot of things that have made Augusta what it is, but the part [the Big Three] played was a prevalent part of my career,” he added.
Player won three Masters titles and has been an honorary starter since 2012 (Image: Getty)
“When I go there, I feel like I am walking onto a golf course in heaven. I tread very carefully and I love Augusta so much but I don’t like all the rules.
“Bobby Jones was a wonderful man and a wonderful asset to a wonderful tournament, as was [member] President Eisenhower, as was [co-founder] Clifford Roberts. Those three people, they basically made Augusta.
“Then Arnold, Jack and I came along and we fought it out every year, and then we made Augusta thanks to the coverage and publicity we generated around the Masters, whether the club likes to admit it or not. They won’t admit it, but we made Augusta.”
Although the South African doesn’t agree with the club’s position, he added that he would reluctantly accept it out of respect.
“In conclusion, this is just my opinion,” reflected Player. “One of the things I have learned, at the age of 90, is that just as I hope people can have respect for my opinions, I also respect the opinions of others.”
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