The Masters’ newest wonder? It has 1 thing in common with the others

AUGUSTA, Ga. – One of the biggest tricks of Augusta National is changing without ever knowing.

The 13th tee box was uneventful moved 35 meters back three years ago, cozy in a corner that was previously wooded. That same year, the storm downed several treesalthough the next morning you would never have guessed. Greens are often stripped and rebuilt. New buildings appear here or there.

And the last magic, like Houdini?

The massive three-story Player Services building that was NO here last year, but looks like it’s been on the property for decades.

“Shoot,” says a security guard stationed near her on Monday, “you can’t even build a house that fast.”

Monday, the first official day of Masters week, was the newest curiosity among Masters regulars (badge holders) or those who know the property. It’s located behind the driving range in an area that used to be the players’ parking lot, which, get this, is now DOWN the building.

It has pretty much everything a pro golfer would need and a bunch of stuff they don’t actually do but are happy to use anyway. (AP’s Doug Ferguson reported for the first time details last week.) There are large dining areas and a bar with TVs, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and the recovery room has physical therapist tables, cold plunges, a sauna room, and a hot tub. All of this, mind you, has subtle bits of Masters history around every corner. Thought went into every detail.

“It’s world class, just like what we’ve come to expect from Augusta National,” Cameron Smith said. “We didn’t think it would be anything different. It’s pretty spectacular. The locker room is great. The dining room is great. The gym is great. There’s no flaws. Everyone’s really happy with it.”

Smith said his favorite part is the new locker room, which is spacious and even has a handy charger for his TrackMan. He also likes the recovery facility downstairs, which he calls “very special,” and you’ll have to take his word for it because you’ll probably never see it. The badge color needed to enter the newest and coolest new building at Augusta National is Gold, Yellow or Yellow Block. If you’re reading this, you’re probably not allowed to. It is only for players, their families, coaches, teams and coaches.

But despite all the bells and whistles, what impresses the most is the fact that this behemoth of a building looks like it’s been there for years. The pine straw and the landscape and the bushes and trees that surround it look like they’ve been there all along. Everything fits. And, surprisingly, it doesn’t look messy. Martha Stewart would be impressed.

From the rear of the range, which is open to the public, there is a stone retaining wall and black metal railing separating it from the building. Not ironically, it’s hard to see IN Player Services building, but easy to see OUTSIDE from it, as from the outdoor terrace overlooking the range.

Someone mentioned to a security guard that the structure definitely it wasn’t there last year.

“You’re right, it wasn’t!” he said. “It’s the one you read all about.”

The main reason for its addition is because it gives players closer access to the locker room from a distance, not to mention much more space than before, plus five-star equipment and amenities. They can walk out the security-lined front door, hop on a trolley and head up to the club, where they can walk under the famous big tree and start their round. Or, after their day is done, they can reverse course and recuperate there.

After his practice on Monday, Min Woo Lee disappeared behind the club, walked along a path and got into a golf cart driven by a volunteer, who asked him where he was going.

“The Player Services Building,” he said.

We would too.

You can contact the author at joshua.berhow@golf.com.

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