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Nov. 11 in Masters history
1982: Augusta National announces players can bring their own caddies
Following growing complaints from participating Masters golfers, the Augusta National voted to allow Tournament participants to use their own caddies, instead of those affiliated with the private club.
The change after almost 50 years of tradition upset the local caddies, but was preferred by touring pros who favored continued working relationships with those who carried their bags.
- 6 previous chairmen at Augusta National Golf Club
Tom Watson perhaps made the point best when he wrote to Chairman Hord Hardin, a retired attorney, and asked, “Suppose you had to go into your biggest trial and were told you couldn’t use your own legal secretary?”
“Mr. Watson, you plead a very strong case,” Hardin replied, according to Ward Clayton’s book “Men on the Bag.”
1951: Fuzzy Zoeller is born and 28 years later would win the 1979 Masters in his first attempt - a feat accomplished by only three golfers in the tournament's history.
1952: The Korean Conflict is looking grim and the Russians might have been up to mischief, but there was good news in Augusta.
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who would be soon be sworn in as president, had scored the first birdie of his golf vacation.
He sank an eight-foot putt for a 2 on the 165-yard par 3 12th hole at Augusta National.
- Eisenhower left mark on National
Despite bad weather, Eisenhower played 13 holes with Ed Dudley, the club pro.
He did not keep score as he and Dudley skipped over the course, playing only certain holes.
Dudley said the general's long game was particularly good. He had one 250-yard drive on the 10th hole, and a 225-yard drive on the 17th.