The US Masters at Augusta: a rare chance to be there and, if you wish, you can play a round of golf at Augusta yourself

Augusta remains one of the toughest tickets to obtain in sport. Even the waiting list to purchase badges has been closed for years. So we are happy to say that CountryClubuk Members have the opportunity to be there at the US Masters Tournament, to enjoy insider benefits and privileges, to be guided on the ground by experienced Augusta specialists, to have the chance to enjoy the most prestigious hospitality in Augusta, and even to play a round or two of golf yourself. This special sporting travel event includes return flights, a three-night stay or more, tickets to the Masters Final, and other days, just as you wish. This has to be the most relaxing way to see the Masters, and to benefit from our acquisition of the ‘golden ticket in sport’, with exceptional, under-the-radar extras known only to the US Masters cognoscenti. For details, read on!

‘The most prized, and the most difficult ticket in sport to obtain’, the US Masters Tournament at Augusta is the ultimate ‘must-be-there’ event in golf. This is a course in as beautiful and near perfect condition as effort and money can create. Fiendishly difficult, with lightning-fast greens, Augusta is the most prestigious and enjoyable of golf tournaments, the one the top golfers desire most to win, and the Augusta committee are tireless in maintaining standards and developing natural vantage points for spectators across the course. If you enjoy golf, this is the place to be. It will provide memories for life.

And as a Member of CountryClubuk you have advantageous rates and access, to be there in person at the US Masters Tournament, even to play a round of golf at Augusta yourself—including taking shots across that world famous hazard, Rae’s Creek. This is an exclusive CountryClubuk Tailormade arrangement, not offered even to the golf-playing fanatics. Our experts have vetted the hotels, played the golf courses, driven with our transportation companies, visited all the venues, and dined at our recommended restaurants, in order to know, constantly and intimately, all the components of our exciting trip. The tickets are like gold—and our numbers are limited to 12 per year—because Augusta is such a phenomenon.

It was the brainchild of the great Bobby Jones, who when his championship playing days were over, built the course with Clifford Roberts. They found a 365-acre potential site, Fruitlands Nurseries, owned by a Belgian baron who had imported a great many flowering plants and trees (some of which can still be seen on the course, including the Magnolia Lane, which was planted before the Civil War). Jones, standing on what is now the practice putting green, surveyed the scene and pronounced the property ‘perfect’ for his plan. Building began in 1931 and the first Augusta National Invitation Tour-nament was held in 1934. The aim was to use the land’s natural contours, and as such it was a ground-breaker. Mounds were used instead of bunkers, there was no severe rough, and a natural creek—the now famous Rae’s Creek of course—created fascinating water hazards. Many decisions made in the early years still stand today, including the change of name in 1938 to The Masters Tourna-ment. Augusta National members’ Green Jacket tradition began in 1937 when members were urged to buy and wear the garment during the Masters so patrons could identify reliable sources of information. Sam Snead was the first US Masters Champion to receive a Green Jacket in 1949. So much history, so many great players: this is where we shall see the world’s greatest lineup of golfers, the cream, present and past, on the course and with us in the crowd.

The best way to make the most of being at this unique event is to plan your route in advance: our experts on the ground will assist with this, and in general there is time between watching individual shots to view the course’s great historical landmarks. These include the clubhouse—thought to be the first cement house in the entire Deep South. It encompasses the Eisenhower Cabin, built in 1953 for the golf-mad US President, who visited the Augusta course 45 times. Last year’s champion was Patrick Reed, before him Sergio Garcia, Danny Willett, Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson. England’s Jason Rose has been runner-up twice, in 2015 and 2017—he plans to be among those attempting to wear a Green Jacket this and every year. Rory McIlroy will be there, as will Tommy Fleetwood, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.

The Masters just continues to get better, and more of a magnet—as well as more expensive—each year. As Rory McIlroy said recently, ‘The Masters has now become the biggest golf tournament in the world. I don’t care about the US Open or The Open. Everything is at Augusta. For me it’s the most special tournament that we play and it’s the one everyone desperately wants to win.’ So many of the names you will see at the US Masters are star-studded. If you opt to have those sought-after tickets for the Final you will be in at the climax, there in your Masters Chair at the 18th Hole as the cream of today’s golfers battle it out for the most prized trophy in golf. And if you decide to join the Masters crowd on the Friday too, you will see also the ‘old and bold’ in action, players who might just not make the cut these days. Think of two of Britain’s greats, Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle, both expected to be in the line-up—they just can’t stay away.

THE DETAILS

Our exclusive Club arrangement gives the chance to be there on the most prestigious Final Day of the US Masters, the Sunday, during a three-night stay, right at the heart of the action. You will enjoy full hospitality all day at the Northwood Club, an exclusive venue with a country club atmosphere, located just a chip shot away from the Augusta National—it’s the closest hospitality venue to Augusta, serving delicious food and drink all day (7am to 8pm) in more than 8,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor facilities created exclusively to entertain Masters’ guests. You will have personal service from our golf specialists throughout your stay—and, exclusively, a Masters’ Chair which can be placed for you in prime position at the 18th Hole by a dedicated ‘Masters Chair runner’. To put this into perspective, the queue of spectators attempting to secure this, the best position, for their chair is a long one—but your Club runner will have been first in the queue, with your chair, from 5am!

On the day before the Final, the Saturday, you will have an exclusive chance to play a round of golf on the magnificent, and very private, Augusta Country Club course. This is the only course to march with Augusta National—you get to play your shots over Rae’s Creek, and up to Amen Corner—to the roars of the Masters Tournament crowd if your timing is right. Augusta Country Club is a truly fabulous place for the classic golfer, being as private as it gets and imbued with history. One of the very early golf clubs in America, and the first in Augusta, it had its beginnings in the 1890s. Augusta Country Club permits limited reciprocal privileges to other private clubs upon formal written introduction during Masters Week—and our Members will take advantage of our partner relationships in order to play there. This is an 18-hole par 72 Donald Ross re-designed golf course and their Bent grass greens are always perfect in the first week of April. The old school design features strategic, excellent bunkering and awesome greens, while the undulations provide plenty of enjoyment. It’s not Augusta National of course—but you can still casually announce that you have ‘played golf at Augusta’. And with the thrill of the Masters going on as backdrop to your round, it’s an unforgettable experience.

This three-day itinerary includes return flights from London or Manchester, direct to Atlanta, a hire car awaiting you at the airport, three nights in the Staybridge Suites—only a mile from the course and chock full of Augusta spectators—with breakfasts. And speaking of food, as a CountryClubuk Member you have a table reserved for you at the Frog Hollow Tavern, known by the Augusta crowd as the place to eat genuinely delicious food. Frog Hollow combines fine dining at surprisingly affordable prices, using regionally sourced ingredients from nearby farms—think juicy American Angus Fillet of Ribeye, Wild Caught Shrimp and Grits, Crisp All Natural Mountain Springer Chicken and Manchester Fried Quail, all expertly cooked and served with a good bottle of wine from the 100-plus list. Frog Hollow is fully booked year on year—but for you, a VIP table has already been reserved.

For all this, your Club price is currently £4,995 per person including VAT (instead of the £5,900-plus which others would pay—all provided they could make these exclusive arrangements by other means). To this three-night itinerary you can add several upgrades—a particularly good add-on is the Masters’ Chair runner at £350. As to flights, you can upgrade to Premium Economy return flights, currently at £825, or Business flights at £2,195 (these rates fluctuate depending on the airlines at the time of booking). If you prefer chauffeur-driven airport returns this adds £200 per person (airport to Augusta is about 2 hours 30 minutes’ drive each way).

ADD AN EXTRA DAY AT THE MASTERS

In addition to the three-day VIP Augusta Masters Final and Augusta Golf arrangement, you can add an extra day at the Masters: fly from the UK on the Thursday, and attend the Masters on the Friday, as well as the Sunday Final. An important day of the tournament, Friday gives the chance to see players who are unlikely now to make the cut—but have all the star status of their long revered past—memories are made of seeing these iconic international players in action. This option adds Friday’s hospitality at Northwood Club from 7am-8pm, an extra day’s car hire, an extra night’s accommodation at Staybridge Suites Augusta on the Thursday night, breakfast and transfers from hotel to Augusta National. It adds £2,495 per person to the £4,995 three-day itinerary above, based on two sharing and again including VAT. To put this into perspective, a ticket alone changes hands for £2,000-plus. (To upgrade your flights to Business Class for this extension, departing UK on the Thursday, returning on Monday, the current flight upgrade is £2,195, but this may change).

ADD AN EXTRA DAY’S GOLF AT SAGE VALLEY

This option adds an extra day to the end of the original VIP Augusta Masters Final and Augusta Golf three-day event, with a round of golf at the private, members-only Sage Valley Golf Club on the Monday, returning to the UK on Tuesday. This is a good plan, not only for the chance to play Sage Valley, but also because the airports are overcrowded with Augusta spectators all leaving on the Monday: it’s much quieter to fly on Tuesday, and the hotel rates are lower too, so this extension is exceptionally good value. After playing Augusta Country Club on the Saturday, and attending The Masters Final on Sunday, you will play a round of golf at Sage Valley, the most exclusive course in Georgia after Augusta National. If it isn’t there already, Sage Valley really should be on your must-play list. A highflying contender for the world’s Top 100 courses, the story goes that the billionaire owner didn’t get into Augusta National so he decided to build his own version a few miles away. The course definitely has an Augusta feel to it, with stately pines, wide fairways and hundreds of azaleas. This extension includes an extra day’s car hire with satnav, an extra night’s accommodation at The Staybridge Suites Augusta, on the Monday, with breakfast, and your round of golf at Sage Valley Golf Club. It adds £1,295 to the £4,995 three-night itinerary above, again based on two sharing a twin or double room, including tax. (To upgrade flights to Business Class for this extension, departing UK on Friday and returning on Tuesday, the upgrade is currently only £1,695 per person.)

ADD BOTH EXTRA DAYS FOR A FIVE-NIGHT TRIP

For a grand five-night US Masters and Golf trip you can combine the main itinerary with both extensions: Five nights, including two days at the Masters and two rounds of golf, one at the Augusta Country Club and one at Sage Valley. Sounds like golf heaven! For the two extra nights and their full itineraries, the extra cost is £3,790 per person (for two sharing), and again including tax. The Business Class flight upgrade is £1,695.

NON-PLAYING OPTIONS

Attend the US Masters on any day, or all of them, without playing golf at all—our itineraries are flexible and we can tailor any trip, again at your exclusive Club rates. If you wish to travel on for an extra holiday, this too can be arranged.

YOUR HOTEL: THE STAYBRIDGE SUITES

Renowned as an Augusta Masters venue, the Staybridge Suites is just a mile from Augusta National Golf Club. This is good, sensible accommodation, and an Augusta fixture—it’s so close to the course and right in the centre of the action. Guest amenities at this all-suite hotel include an on-site putting green, fitness centre, convenience store and laundry facilities. Breakfast, a daily hot buffet, is included.

YOUR MASTERS’ ALL-DAY CLUB HOSPITALITY

Northwood Club is the closest hospitality venue, a chip away from Augusta National ’s main entrance (many facilities are not even within walking distance). Northwood is a fully air-conditioned permanent building (some are tented marquees), with 8,000 sq ft of facilities and a country club atmosphere. It is open 7am to 8pm each day and your hospitality encompasses: Gourmet meals, which will include: Full buffet breakfast with omelette station; Daily changing luncheon buffet; Afternoon hors d’oeuvres and barbecue; Complimentary full-service bar; Coverage of the Masters on multiple TV screens; Private outdoor patios, decks and lounge for relaxation; Reserved car parking.

BERCKMANS PLACE

Berckmans Place hospitality is considered the ‘Golden Ticket’ of the Masters, an ultra-exclusive, invitation-only pass allowing access to a 90,000 sq ft hospitality venue behind the 5th fairway. It gives access to five full-service, all-inclusive themed restaurants and bars. Call us on 020 7399 2960 for further details.

CHECK AVAILABILITY AND BOOK THE MASTERS

Rates quoted above are based on the 2019 Masters, April 11-14; the 2020 dates are April 9-12. For details, and to check availability and current pricing, call us on 020 7399 2960. Rates and specifications correct at time of going to press, but may change without notice. Bookings subject to Club rules, terms and conditions, and those of Tailormade Luxury Golf Holidays.

 

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