Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club was originally established in 1933 and in the years since, it has become one of the most famous golf courses in the country. It is best known as the host of the Masters Tournament and is widely recognized as one of the best and most beautiful golf courses in the world. All of the biggest legends of the sport have participated in the tournament with many of them including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and others winning the Masters at Augusta. For years Augusta served as a men's only club which was very controversial, but in 2012 Augusta National Golf Club finally admitted its first two women members: Darla Moore and Condoleeza Rice. The course was ranked the number one course in the United States by Golf Digest in 2009 and ranked number ten in the country based on its architecture by Golfweek Magazine in 2011.
The Masters Tournament is held every April at Augusta National Golf Club and is far and away one of the most prestigious tournaments in professional golf. The winner of the tournament is given a green jacket, and only the winner of the current year's tournament is allowed to leave the golf club with the green jacket.
Atlanta is one of the busiest and largest metropolitan areas in the United States and as such there is always plenty to do in the city. It boasts the sixth largest economy of any city in the United States and the 15th in the world. In 1996 Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics and the city began a renovation that continues to this day and has truly made it a world class city. Atlanta has permanent resident companies in all major performing arts: the Atlanta Opera, the Atlanta Ballet, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Alliance Theatre. The Fox Theatre is a historic landmark and a great place to take in a show, or you can visit any of the wonderful museums in the area including Museum of Design Atlanta, the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, and many others.
Even those who are not die hard golf fans are drawn to the majesty of Augusta National Golf Club. Spending a lovely summer day outside walking a beautiful course and seeing the best golfers in the world battle one another is an experience you will never forget and one which will likely have you wanting to never have to settle for watching from your couch again. As the days and holes wear on, the drama builds and each stroke becomes more and more vital. The nervous tension in the air builds and this can be felt both by the golfers swinging their clubs and the fans following them from hole to hole holding their breath with each approach to the ball.
On the 17th hole visitors can find the Eisenhower Tree which is named after former President Dwight D. Eisenhower who, according to legend, regularly hit the tree when he played at Augusta. The golf club had considered removing the tree, but decided to honor the President by naming the tree after him instead.