"Chairman Fred Ridley will surely field questions about Augusta National’s stance during his annual pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday"

Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch calls on the major golf organizations to get involved in support voter registration and rights

The men facing this dilemma — Ridley, Jay Monahan and Seth Waugh — are measured, lawyerly types and not prone to intemperate or hasty responses, even in charged circumstances. All three have signed on to a collaborative effort to make golf not only more inclusive as a sport but more socially responsive as an industry. And while this is a situation not of their making, it is nevertheless a test of that commitment. Their responses (or lack thereof) won’t be without consequences.

All three organizations — the PGA Tour, PGA of America and Augusta National — would doubtless prefer not to be involved in the quagmire of Georgia politics. But there is a potential signpost for next steps, and it lies in the wording of the Tour’s statement, which used the term “critical priority” to describe efforts to “work together to make voting easier for all citizens.”

Golf’s bodies could use their reach, resources and events to support voter registration drives and back initiatives that increase voter access. In short, to join with other organizations and proactively shore up the democratic process against any insidious effort to undermine it.

And Christine Brennan of USA Today/Golfweek highlights the social activism of several Augusta National Women’s Amateur contestants that will likely not be repeated by the Masters contestants.

It has to be the first time Augusta National has ever hosted social activists of any kind and it certainly provides a stark contrast with what is likely coming Masters week as the eyes of the sports world turn to the very significant political and social issues percolating here in Georgia – and the predictable blank stares and no comments of the predominately white, rich, very conservative male golfers who will be playing here.

While I’m not sure the golfers see themselves primarily as social activists, it does seem the Masters might need to chime in sooner than later. If nothing else to avoid unwanted scrutiny of the membership.

Shirtless Shark: "I don't need to be seen to be seen."

Given his proclivity for posting photos of himself on Instagram, I found Greg Norman’s indifference to Augusta National’s Big Oak social scene curious.

From the New York Post’s Mark Cannizzaro on Norman’s return to Augusta as SiriusXM’s lead analyst.

But you won’t see Norman schmoozing with the who’s who in golf under the big oak tree this week.

“I’m not that type of person that needs to hang around underneath the tree just to hang around,’’ Norman said. “I don’t need to be seen to be seen.’’

Sadly, he will be heard with Brian Katrek as their year-one radio team following Westwood One losing the Masters radio deal. Between those two, it could be a very tough listen.

What ANWA Told Us About Augusta National And Other Notes

Blog readers, as predicted I will be a little less bloggy during major weeks now the The Quadrilateral’s main purpose has arrived.

Sunday’s letter focused on the ANWA, a couple of course surprises and an NBC broadcast review.

Saturday’s letter offered plenty of notes on everything from what to look for this week, Justin Rose, hotel and resale market options, Rob Manfred’s membership status, and much more.

This week’s Thursday edition will be for all followers of the newsletter. The rest can be delivered to your inbox free of conflicts of interest, pop-ups, WAG’s of Augusta slideshows, product placements, tacky ways to buy traffic, and all for $5 a month or $49 a year.

Quad: This Week's Masters Notes And 2021 Power Ranking

Well now that your NCAA brackets are dead it’s time to focus on Masters prognostication and today’s Quadrilateral features my look at favorites, longshots and a surprisingly large group this year who are tough to figure out. This one’s only for the paying folk.

Open to all is The Quadrilateral’s Masters league on the tournament’s official app. The prizes are all theirs.

But the weekly notes column, focused heavily on exciting TV plans and details is for all to enjoy.

Sign up and you get the weekly notes in your inbox for free. I’ll throw in the postage and spare you of pop-ups.

Quadrilateral: David Barrett Q&A, Plus Match Play Notes Including A Koepka Update

We the team at The Quadrilateral are moving into major mode with a few new editions.

The Story of the Masters author David Barrett answered my questions about his ambitious new book, available here. This Q&A was open to all Quad subscribers and you can read it here as well.

Following the scintillating WGC Dell Technologies won by Billy Horschel, I offered these notes for Masters and Ryder Cup watchers. This one is only for paying subscribers and includes news on Brooks Koepka’s possible status for Augusta.

Three UT Players Out Of The ANWA After Testing COVID-19 Positive

Beth Ann Nichols reports on a a rough start to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur where three players have WD’d due to COVID-19 positive tests. They had yet to travel from Austin to Augusta.

All three play for the University of Texas, including Kaitlyn Papp, the fifth place finisher in the inaugural 2019 ANWA.

Masters Lifts 72-Hour COVID Negative Test Result For Average Patrons

The Augusta Chronicle’s Will Cheney reports on the change in policy for spectators at the 2021 Masters:

Fans attending the practice rounds and the Masters will no longer be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entry. Those attending are still encouraged to get tested before arriving to Augusta.

Ticket holders were notified of the change in an email Wednesday afternoon. The protocols can also be found on the Masters website under the Patron Info tab.

The new policy only applies to those with practice round tickets, daily tournament tickets and series badges. Berkman’s Place ticket holders will still have to take the at-home test 72-hours prior to arriving and an on-site test the day of attending.

This last portion is interesting for a few reasons:

—The policy makes sense given how little non-Berckmans fans would be indoors on club property.

—A 72-hour negative window is pretty pointless given how the test will be administered before the person likely hangs in an airport or on a flight.

—The club is committed to resisting the option of adding fully vaccinated patrons or health care workers in a show of support to getting the country back to normal. Seemed like a tap-in. But so was adding women as members.

-The Augusta Chronicle or Golfweek misspelled Berckmans.

The Ground Game Makes Good TV, Files: Spieth And Wolff At Austin CC

No need to say much other than it sure is fun to see players use the ground so beautifully.

The PGA Tour’s Twitter account agrees. Artists at work, 2021 WGC Dell Match Play:

Artists at work. @JordanSpieth and @Matthew_Wolff5 put their imaginations to work and executed. 👏#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/ZXa9oiH2Vx

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 25, 2021

Spieth and Wolff are in a fascinating bracket both because of the recent strong play by their other group members (Fitzpatrick/Connors), but also because their Friday scenarios are wild.

From GolfDigest.com’s Christopher Powers:

Now, rather than being 2-0-0 and controlling his own destiny, Spieth is 1-0-1, as is Wolff, who will play Matthew Fitzpatrick on Friday. Fitzpatrick won his Thursday match handily over Corey Conners, the group’s fourth member, bringing his record to 1-1-0. Should Spieth lose to Conners on Friday, a Fitzpatrick victory would advance the Englishman to the knockout stage, while a Wolff win or tie would put him in the knockout stage. Even if Spieth wins, he may still have to beat Wolff in a sudden-death playoff if Wolff beats Fitzpatrick. A Spieth win and a Fitzpatrick win or Wolff-Fitzpatrick halve are Spieth’s two dream scenarios. Got all that?

Major(s) News And Notes, March 25, 2021

We’re just 14-day from The Masters and so it features prominently in this week’s free edition of The Quadrilateral.

But there are plenty of other notes, maybe a cringe or eye roll or two and hopefully just a bit more excitement about major championship season.

Subscriber info and other FAQ’s here.

Q&A With 1971 Masters Champion Charles Coody

Anniversaries are great excuses to go back in time and get our attention in advance of the Masters. This year will be 50 years since Charles Coody won and I got to spend a very compelling hour listening to his stories, including the incredible tale of his caddie for the week and how Coody played those final holes just two years removed from blowing a lead with three holes to go.

We also discussed Hogan, the Champions Dinner, his grandson making the Walker Cup team, and the odd treatment he got from fellow TCU Horned Frog Dan Jenkins. But that’s in part 2.

For now, here is Part 1 of my Quadrilateral chat with Charles Coody that I’ve opened up to all subscribers. I think you’ll enjoy it.

If you want to watch the 1971 final round before reading, here it is:

Quadrilateral Major(s) News And Notes: March 18

It’s an all-Masters edition of the Quadrilateral’s weekly notes letter available to all who sign up for free.

Past editions of the newsletter are here.

And if you’re new to the newsletter thing, I explain the Quadrilateral here and even answer questions.

Behind The Scenes Doc: ESPN Debuts "The One in November"

ESPN is debuting "The One in November," billed as a “first-ever look behind the scenes” at Augusta National Golf Club” in advance of 2020 Masters tournament.

The 30-minute doc debuts Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. ET. and has several more airings to come, including an ABC showing the Saturday prior to the Masters.

The pitch:

The 2020 edition of the Masters was unprecedented. Postponed to November from its traditional April dates and staged with no patrons for the first time in its history, the Masters overcame numerous new challenges in making the annual, world-class event a reality during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film chronicles the days leading into the Tournament, following those on the grounds who are responsible for planning and executing a renowned and unprecedented sporting event. Viewers will see and hear from officials and executives from the organization, who offer a rare glimpse into their roles in preparing for the Masters.

Viewers also will see Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, honor Lee Elder, who was first Black man to compete in the Masters in 1975. Ridley announces Elder’s inclusion as an Honorary Starter at the 2021 Masters and the creation of the Lee Elder Scholarships at Paine College in Augusta. Other storylines include Cameron Champ’s experience as a first-time player in the Tournament, as well as preparations for the traditional Champions Dinner hosted by 2019 Masters champion Tiger Woods.

The film was produced by Augusta National Golf Club in association with Boardwalk Pictures. A preview wasn’t quite what I expected as behind-the-scenes intrigue, but it’s something different for sure…

The One in November preview from ESPN Press Room on Vimeo.

Major(s) Notes, March 11, 2011

This week we learned Augusta National’s tax bill, major concerns for two major favorites, horrifying Masters radio news and a progressive maintenance plan for the U.S. Women's Open.

And it’s all in the latest Quadrilateral.This and so, so much more for the low price of free to read once a week and even free to sign-up.

Can The Players In March Foreshadow Masters Glory?

3rd at TPC Sawgrass in March, 2019 (Geoff Shackelford)

We’re in year three of the Players back in March, but only one tournament completed so far.

But from 1982 to 2006 the TPC Sawgrass hosted the world’s best as the last big pre-Masters championship. While three weeks now separate these two great tournaments, we’re still so close that a little analysis is warranted.

As I did with Riviera and Bay Hill a few weeks ago, I wanted to see how Masters winners and runner-ups fared at the Players. Here it is for Quadrilateral subscribers.

And this traditional reminder: The Quadrilateral is a newsletter dropping once a week for free to all. You can read back issues here, join the paid subscriber base here and get all newsletters, or check out the website for a full explanation here.

Quadrilateral: Major(s) News And Notes For March 4, 2021

The Quadrilateral’s weekly news and notes editon goes to all subscribers and while you can read it here, what fun is that when you can have it delivered free in a mobile-friendly edition for safe keeping. Or reading in line at Trader Joes.

You can read more on how The Quad will work as we near the first major, or at the Substack landing page where you can see past editions. I’ve got a few fun Q&A’s lined up for the coming weeks, some looks at Augusta National’s architecture and more as we near the season’s first major.

Also, if you’re enjoying Substack as much as I am, consider downloading their reader beta where you can read all of your favorite Substacks in one spot.