Gary Player slams Masters host for rejection: ‘We did Augusta’

During the legendary career of World Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player, few places have mattered more Augusta National. And few tournaments have been more special than Masters.

But this week, the Player, a three-time Masters champion and long-time honorary titleholder, offered a rare public critique of the club. Criticisms made in one interview with Golf Monthlystemmed from Augusta National’s alleged denial of Player’s request to play a round with his grandchildren at the historic course.

Here’s what you need to know.

Gary Player criticizes Augusta National during round with grandchildren: ‘They won’t do it’

The player, 90, captured nine major titles in his career, including three Masters victories in 1961, 1974 and 1978. He, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus were known as the “big three” professional golfers of their era, all making their mark at Augusta.

Beginning in 2012, Player joined Palmer and Nicklaus as honorary starters at the Masters, a tournament he has played more than anyone else. He retains this role to this day.

But unlike Palmer and Nicklaus, Player was never granted membership at Augusta National. While his past champion status allows him the privilege of playing at Augusta, because he is not a member, he is not allowed to bring guests to play alongside him.

And this is the source of the player’s animosity towards the club, which he explained his monthly Golf interview.

“I’ve been an ambassador for Augusta for all these years, but they won’t let me have a round of golf in my life with my three grandchildren,” lamented Player. My nephews are dying to know about their grandfather’s episodes on that golf course.

He went on to claim that any other major championship host course would have accepted Player’s request, but Augusta turned him down, blaming the club’s “current management” for the decision.

“All the golf courses that have hosted the Open (Championship), the US Open and the PGA (Championship) would oblige, but they won’t do that at Augusta,” Player argued. “It’s just this current management there, but these are the times we live in and I accept that, but I accept it sadly.”

The player went on to sing the praises of Augusta National co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, as well as President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a prominent member of the club, arguing that they laid the foundation for what the club became.

He went on to claim that he, Palmer and Nicklaus then “made Augusta” with their inspired play at the Masters in the ’60s and ’70s.

“(Jones, Roberts and Eisenhower), they basically created Augusta. Then Arnold (Palmer), Jack (Nicklaus) and I came and we fought it every year, and then we made Augusta because of the coverage and publicity we created around the Masters, whether the club likes to admit it or not. They’re not going to admit it.”

The Story of Gary Player Controversy at Augusta National

This is not the first time the Player has complained about the lack of privileges at Augusta National.

In 2023, he said he was “disappointed” how difficult it was for him to play there with a guest.

“A lot of people assume I have those privileges, but they’re wrong. If I want to play a practice round with friends, I can’t just call the pro shop and make those arrangements,” Player said at the time.

To play with a guest, he must find a full member of Augusta National to host, a project he claimed was “not easy.”

When asked to rank the four men’s championships in order of importance earlier in 2023, Player said “never mind the Masters” and ranked it last.

“I rate the Open (championship) one, the US Open two, the PGA (championship) three and Augusta four; Four great tournaments,” The Player told the UK’s Daily Mail.

At the 2021 Masters, the player’s son, Wayne, got into hot water for an impromptu golf ball commercial during a ceremony honoring Lee Elder. Wayne was reportedly banned for life from Augusta National on the incident.

Then in 2022, Player filed a lawsuit against his son Marc and nephew Damian for selling some of his golf memorabilia. Among the memorabilia items were the player’s 1974 Masters trophy and the shoes he wore in his 52nd Masters appearance. The player claimed he did not authorize the items to be sold.