Elite Traveler January-February 2018

National Golf Links of America SOUTHAMPTON, NEW YORK, USA Named the National Golf Links of America because the 67 founding members all lived in different areas of the US, the course is more commonly known as National. Designed by Charles Blair Macdonald in 1908, the course is laid out over 250 acres of Long Island scenery and is a blend of original holes and others inspired by famous courses in Britain — the third hole, Alps, is a par four that requires a blind approach shot to the green, similar to the 17th hole at Prestwick, and the 13th hole, Eden, is a par three that imitates the 11th hole at St Andrews. There’s a windmill between the second and 16th holes, apparently placed there at the suggestion of a member — Macdonald purchased a windmill when he was in Europe and sent the member the bill. Membership is invitation only, and fees can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, perhaps the reason it’s known as “America’s Snootiest Golf Course.” Par 73

Augusta National Golf Club AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, USA

Considered the most famous golf club in the world, the Augusta National Golf Club is home to the annual Masters Tournament, where golfers compete for the coveted green jacket. Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts founded the course on the grounds of a former plant nursery in 1933. The first Masters was played here in 1934, then known as the Augusta National Invitational Tournament. In tribute to its former life, each hole was initially named after a tree or shrub, but several have since been renamed, with the famous stretch of holes (numbers 11, 12 and 13) nicknamed Amen Corner. This site has seen key moments in Masters history and is often instrumental in deciding the Masters

winner. Par 72

Tournaments hosted Masters, PGA Seniors’ Championship Notable members Warren Buffett, Bill Gates (who struggled to get in after publicly stating he wanted to join), Pete Coors, Jack Nicklaus, T Boone Pickens, Jr.

Tournaments hosted Walker Cup Notable members Roger Waters