Famous Augusta National caddie no longer has unmarked grave

One of the most famous caddies in Masters Tournament history finally has a marker on his Augusta grave.

Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery, who caddied for Arnold Palmer in all four of his Masters victories, had been laid to rest in an unmarked grave in Southview Cemetery when he died in 1985.

Former Augusta resident Ward Clayton, an executive producer on the documentary "Loopers: A Caddie's Life," which will be released this summer, has known for years there was no gravestone for Avery at the all-black cemetery.

But last summer, he wanted to make sure. He found the number of the plot where Avery was located. There was still no gravestone.

An anonymous donor, in conjunction with the documentary, helped to change that. They designed and picked up the expense for the cost of the gravestone.

It was unveiled last summer at the cemetery, about five miles from Augusta National Golf Club's gates.

Former Westside High School and Duke guard and NBA first-round pick Will Avery, who is a great nephew to Iron Man, was among the family members at the cemetery the day the gravestone was placed.

“It meant a lot to me,” said Avery, who is now 38 and lives in Augusta. “I wasn’t even aware (of the unmarked grave) until this came about. I’m glad he got his just due. My family is thankful and proud he has that.”

Will Avery was born after Iron Man died, but he heard all the stories of the man who he has always called his Uncle Iron Man.

“His success, in today’s world, would be celebrated much more,” Avery said, referring to his four wins at the Masters. “That’s an amazing accomplishment.”

The record for most Masters wins by an Augusta National caddie  is five each, by Willie “Pappy” Stokes and Willie Peterson, while Avery and Steve Williams have four each.

The film traces the history of caddies and “a huge part” of it details Augusta National caddies such as Iron Man, according to Clayton.

Avery was one of the first caddies to become publicly known because he was by Palmer’s side as the King took the golf world by storm. Palmer was assigned Avery as his Masters caddie starting with his Augusta National debut in 1955, when he tied for 10th place.

Palmer then won green jackets in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964, making this the 60th anniversary of Palmer’s first victory.

Avery caddied for Palmer through “the late '60s,” said Clayton, whose 2004 book "Men on the Bag" was about Augusta National caddies.

In his book, Clayton writes that Avery would buy a new car the day after each Masters victory.

Avery fell on hard times after losing connection with Palmer.