For decades, Masters week has begun with one of golf’s most beloved traditions: the Par 3 Contest at Augusta National Golf Club, a relaxed Wednesday afternoon where legends, families and young children stroll the nine-hole course.
But starting this year, this tradition is officially being replaced.
In a move that stunned the golf world, Augusta National announced it will replace the Par 3 Contest with the inaugural Masters Pickleball Invitational.
NOTICE
The news appeared quietly on the Masters website late Monday evening with the headline:
“A tradition unlike any other … Now with paddles.”
According to the release, the club believes pickleball best captures the spirit of competition, community and slightly tough athleticism that defines the modern sport.
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley addressed the change during a brief press conference.
“Of all the traditions at the Masters, none has been more compelling than the Par 3 Contest,” Ridley said. “But after careful consideration, we determined that it paled in comparison to the sheer thrill of watching two amazing athletes battle it out over a 34-inch net with a plastic ball.
Ridley added that the decision was unanimous among the club’s management.
“Once we saw the growth numbers for pickleball, the decision was clear. We either adapt … or risk falling behind local retirement communities.”
New courts, new traditions
Augusta National has been quietly buying up the property surrounding the club for years.
While most assumed those purchases were intended for additional parking, hospitality suites, or perhaps another putting green, it turns out the club had bigger plans.
Last fall, Augusta National bought a nearby elementary school, which has since been torn down to make way for six championship courses, concession stands and merchandise tents.
Club officials confirmed that the new facility — referred to internally as the Magnolia Paddle Pavilion — was designed with the same attention to detail that defines every corner of Augusta National.
According to Augusta officials, the Masters Pickleball Invitational will follow a doubles format featuring 16 teams of Masters competitors paired with either family members, caddies or other professionals. Ridley noted that while the event aims to maintain the relaxed spirit of the former Par 3 Contest, it will still embody the club’s commitment to competitive excellence.
Not surprisingly, the betting markets reacted quickly to the announcement. Within hours, major sportsbooks began posting odds for the inaugural event. Early lines from FanDuel list Scottie Scheffler as the favorite, with speculation already swirling about whether the longstanding “curse” of Par 3 Contest winners never capturing a green jacket in the same year could carry over to the Pickleball Invitational.
Augusta National officials also confirmed that traditional Masters concessions — including the iconic pimento cheese sandwich — will remain available at the new venue, though an additional item, the Paddle Melt, is expected to debut exclusively during Wednesday’s festivities.
Ridley concluded the announcement by emphasizing that the club remains deeply committed to maintaining the spirit of Masters week.
“The Par 3 Contest has brought joy to generations of customers and players alike,” said Ridley. “The Masters Pickleball Invitational simply represents the next chapter in a tradition unlike any other.”
Tickets for the Masters Pickleball Invitational will be awarded through Augusta National’s regular lottery system, ensuring that thousands of fans can once again participate in one of golf’s most enduring traditions: receiving the annual opt-out notice.
