Amateurs carry on proud tradition
ROAD TO AUGUSTA
Amateurs have always been part of the Masters tradition, mainly because Augusta National and tournament co-founder Bobby Jones was a career amateur. Here's how the 2011 amateurs qualified:
- David Chung, U.S. Amateur runner-up
- Jin Jeong, British Amateur winner
- Lion Kim, U.S. Public Links winner
- Hideki Matsuyama, Asian Amateur winner
- Nathan Smith, U.S. Mid-Amateur winner
Peter Uihlein, U.S. Amateur winner
AMATEUR FACTS
Best finish: Frank Stranahan (tie for second), 1947; Ken Venturi (second), 1956; Charles Coe (tie for second), 1961
Most starts: Dick Chapman, 19 (1939-62); Charles Coe, 19 (1949-71)
Most starters, tournament: 26 in 1966
Last amateur to make cut: Matteo Manassero, 2010
Fewest in field: 3 in 1942
WHAT THEY GET
(IF THEY MAKE THE CUT)
Low amateur: Silver cup
Amateur runner-up: Silver medal
THE CROW'S NEST
Atop the Augusta National clubhouse is the Crow's Nest, where amateurs are invited to stay during the tournament.
The 30-by-40-foot room is above the Champions Locker Room and the library, at the top of a steep set of stairs.
While amateurs dream of glory, they can draw inspiration from Jack Nicklaus, Ben Crenshaw and Tiger Woods, who all stayed in the Crow's Nest as amateurs and eventually went on to win the Masters Tournament.
Partitions divide the Crow's Nest into four cubicles, and three have space for a single bed and one has two beds. One full bathroom and an extra sink round out the accommodations.