House Of Payne: Augusta Chair Presides Over First Masters

Payne Announces Modification To Player Qualifications

Augusta National and The Masters have modified qualifications for player participation. Beginning next year, invitations will be extended to winners of most PGA Tour regular season and playoff events; those qualifying for the Tour Championship; and the top 30 players on the final PGA Tour money list. Previously, the ten leaders on the money list the week prior to The Masters were invited. The tournament-winner rule reinstates a qualification that was in place from ’72-99 (THE DAILY). Augusta National Chair Billy Payne: “I can remember when the winners (of Tour events) would be more excited to hear they had automatically qualified for the Masters than to receive the first-prize check” (Mult., 4/5). Payne said that a five-year study Sindicated that the Masters field would increase by only one or two players in the new qualification scenario.” Payne: “We missed the excitement of the winner of a PGA Tour event immediately qualifying for the Masters” (L.A. TIMES, 4/5).

Palmer Opens Up 71st Masters As Honorary Starter

SOLID OFF THE TEE: In Augusta, Scott Michaux writes Payne “has brought nothing but good cheer to everything he has touched this week,” as he presides over his first Masters since replacing Hootie Johnson as Augusta National Chair. He “persuaded Arnold Palmer” to serve as the honorary starter; “acknowledged the role the media have played in making the Masters the iconic event it is by creating an achievement award for journalists who have covered 40 or more tournaments”; and “restored one of the favorite [aforementioned] qualifying avenues.” Payne: “All of the things that we have announced have been in the works long before my tenure began. They were things that needed to be done” (AUGUSTA CHRONICLE, 4/5). In Philadelphia, Rich Hofmann notes Payne “has been active in recent months, doing many more interviews that his recent predecessors.” When asked if he often rejects proposed changes, Payne said, “We don’t have a suggestion box” (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 4/5).

FEMALE MEMBERSHIP: Payne declined to comment on whether Augusta plans to admit a female member, saying only, “As I’ve said many times, all members and membership are subject to private deliberations of the members” (Mult., 4/5). In DC, Leonard Shapiro notes U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced a bill this week that would eliminate tax breaks for business expenses “incurred at private clubs that discriminate on the basis of gender or race.” Maloney also introduced a nonbinding resolution that would “prohibit federal officials, either elected or appointed, from being members of clubs that discriminate.” Payne, asked to comment on the legislation, said, “I’m aware it’s been done many times in the past, and (there have been) no significant developments of which I’m aware” (WASHINGTON POST, 4/5). Golf Channel’s Brian Hewitt said of whether Payne and Fred Ridley, head of both the rules and competition committees, will seriously consider allowing female membership, “They’re not going to discuss that until they’re ready to make a decision, but I think there is a bit of a youth movement at the top at Augusta, and I think changes and a little bit more of a progressive outlook. If that happens, we shouldn’t be surprised” (ESPNews, 4/4).

KEEP IT PURE: In this week’s SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Erik Spanberg writes golf experts and sports-marketing execs “point to several areas where Augusta National could reap millions in additional revenue without sacrificing the integrity” of The Masters (SBJ, 4/2). Payne said there are “countless commercial” opportunities for the tournament but “we are very selective” (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 4/5).

POWER STRUGGLE: Payne said he “did not anticipate substantive changes” to the course in the near future. He added that the “push to introduce a limited-flight golf ball had waned” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 4/5).