Chairman Payne: I Don't Get Much Pushback

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There are fables of member consternation over the speed with which Billy Payne has attempted to move Augusta National into the 21st Century while staying true to the origins of the club, but in an ESPN.com profile by Bob Harig, the Chairman refutes that he gets much pushback. Or funny looks.

Harig writes:

None of his efforts have necessarily been required. There are likely those inside the Augusta National gates who were satisfied with that status quo -- showcasing their beautiful golf course to the world one week a year and then going about their business while practicing the club's intense desire to reveal little.

So perhaps it is fair to wonder: Have the decisions Payne has made over the past eight years produced any pushback among the powers-that-be? 


"That's not really the way Augusta works," Payne said with a sly smile, as if to suggest one should know better. "You don't get many quizzical looks."

And moving forward, Payne feels he's upholding the tradition of the club with his approach.

"That's always been the attitude of Augusta National; that's not me," Payne said. "I inherited that. You go back and read a lot of what Mr. Roberts said. I've mentioned this in a lot of the member meetings. There is a complete, absolute driving mandate to do better every year. That may be the one overwhelming objective of everything we do.

"Now people can measure whether we attain that. That's a different question than what we are trying to do."

The King: I'll Be There Thursday Morning

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Arnold Palmer, who has a bum shoulder that has kept him from swinging the club and entering the Par 3 contest, is a go.

He tells GolfDigest.com's Dave Shedloski that he'll be at Augusta National Thursday morning for his honorary starter duties.

"I will be there," Palmer said by phone Monday from his office at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando. "I am getting myself ready."

Ben Crenshaw is stepping in for Mr. Palmer Wednesday in the Par-3 contest where he will play with Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. David Westin's report.

Bubba Wins! Now He Must Avoid Parking Lot Fights

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ESPN.com has posted a fun survey of 103 PGA Tour pros, including 21 major winners from 20 different countries, not including Florida.

The result that's getting all of the attention, deservedly so, involves the defending Masters champ Bubba Watson. Let's just say he trounces Patrick Reed and cagey vets Robert Allenby and Rory Sabbatini in the most-likely-to-get-beat-up-without-anyone-coming-to-his-rescue division.

ESPN.com surveyed 103 tour pros, 21 of which were major champions, and gathered their thoughts on myriad topics. The players came from 20 different countries and their answers are below.

Other polls of note: top bucket list course (Cypress Point edges Pine Valley, no doubt because one is almost fully restored and one isn't...you know how discerning these pros are.)

And big congrats to Kevin Na for winning player-they'd-most-like-to-see-penalized division.

You've earned it big guy!

Masters Adds "Track" Feature To Tablet App

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And that actually could mean a few things...

A) We may be one step closer to seeing more ShotLink-gathered information on the players and course (which, because it's the same venue every year, would be meaningful and interesting).

B) You can track a player who is not part of the many fine Masters.com feeds more easily. And potentially relive their round details.

C) The best "app" and digital presentation may be getting even better.

For us Apple fanboys, here's the iTunes link to the app.

Thanks to reader Jeremy for catching the fine print on this: