2016 MASTERS: Payne’s window to Augusta’s future

BY STEVE KEIPERT AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL

AUGUSTA National chairman Billy Payne holds court annually on the Wednesday of the Masters, astutely blending a sense of authority with clever humour.

Usually his address is an opportunity to outline any changes made to the golf course during the past 12 months but there are none of those this year so inevitably the conversation turns to current issues within the sport. Payne’s opening remarks covered 1,450 words before talk moved to the Olympics, Augusta’s long-term visions, the size of the Masters field, the future of online and television coverage of the tournament and even the chairman’s health.

Billy Payne (centre) with fellow Augusta committeemen Fred Ridley (left) and Craig Heatley (right). PHOTO: Harry How/Getty Images

Payne maintains a sense of candour while conveying clout. While no significant changes to the course have been made in nearly a decade, recent rumours and reports of a future extension to the 13th tee to lengthen the great par-5 have created rumbles. But ever the diplomat, Payne played a straight bat.

“As we do every year, and historically forever, we are always looking at options for numerous of our holes,” he said. “We create plans looking into the future, when we believe that the shot value of certain second shots, principally, has been impacted by how far the ball is now travelling. As a consequence, 13 is one of those holes we are studying. We have made no decision whatsoever. Plans are underway to be considered and, as I said, that is one of many holes that we now have under consideration. We think there are multiple options where we could increase the difficulty of the hole and restore the shot values, only one of which deals with extending the length. So we are in the middle of all of those studies, a lot of arithmetic, lot of design issues, and we would only resort to equipment as the last resort because we believe that the governing bodies in golf deal with that very effectively.”

The chairman also revealed that when it comes to long-term plans and improvements to both the club and the tournament, they look as far ahead as two decades. This year’s re-alignment of adjoining Berckmans Road began 20 years ago and only took effect in February. The road’s redirection allows for more parking space near Augusta National, better traffic flow around the course during the Masters – and room to expand the course and corporate hospitality on the western side of the property.

“We plan very far into the future,” Payne said. “We look way out. We’re always trying to make our tournament better, and I think we’ll continue to do that into the future.”

Should Jordan Spieth win again this year, Payne will be the man to present him with his second green jacket. PHOTO: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

As the room settled and the questions softened, talk turned to backs and back injuries, of which Payne is nursing one himself.

“I had another very major surgery back in November and I haven’t even started rehab yet, but I’m soon to do it. And it’s been very frustrating, although I am feeling better, so I feel some light at the end of the tunnel. But it is frustrating not to play golf and I’m shooting for the middle of June.”

Unfortunately for the chairman, the course closes from May to October. “We may, however, open it up for one day,” he laughed. “It’s pretty tough just looking out your office and seeing the golf course and you can’t get on it, but I’m soon to be back.”

Which led Payne to offer a medical observation on the most talked-about back in the game, that of perpetually injured Tiger Woods who continues to recover from back surgery late last year.

“Well, last night, he looked good. He looked better than me,” Payne said of Woods’ presence at the Champions Dinner. “I was delighted. You know, he’s encouraged. I could tell the fire is building back up in his belly and I suspect Tiger’s going to be back fairly quickly, and I’m looking forward to it.”

As are we.