AUGUSTA, Ga. — One of Augusta National’s greatest tricks is changing without you ever knowing.
The 13th tee box was seamlessly moved back 35 yards three years ago, cozying up in a corner that was previously wooded. That same year, storms knocked over a few trees, although the next morning you would have never guessed. Greens are often stripped down and rebuilt. New buildings pop up here or there.
And the latest, Houdini-like wizardry?
The massive three-story Player Services Building, which was not here last year but looks like it’s been on property for decades.
“Shoot,” says a security guard stationed near it on Monday, “you can’t even get a house built that quick.”
On Monday, the first official day of Masters week, it was the newest curiosity among Masters regulars (badge holders) or those familiar with the property. It sits behind the range in an area that used to be player parking, which, get this, is now beneath the building.
It has pretty much everything a pro golfer would ever need and a bunch of things they actually don’t but are happy to use anyway. (Doug Ferguson of the AP first reported details last week.) There’s large dining areas and a bar with TVs, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and the recovery room has physical therapists tables, cold plunges, a sauna room and hot tub. All of it, mind you, has subtle nuggets of Masters history at every corner. Thought went into every detail.
“It’s world class, just like what we’ve come to expect of Augusta National,” said Cameron Smith. “We wouldn’t have thought 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 is really happy with it.”
Smith said his favorite part is the new locker room, which is expansive and even has a handy charger for his TrackMan. He also likes the recovery facility downstairs, which he calls “pretty special,” and you’ll have to take his word for it, because you’ll likely never see it. The badge color needed to access the newest and coolest new building at Augusta National is Gold, Yellow or Yellow Block. If you are reading this, you’re probably not allowed. It’s only for players, their families, coaches, caddies and trainers.
But despite all the bells and whistles, what’s most impressive is the fact that this behemoth of a building looks like it’s been there for years. The pine straw and landscaping and bushes and trees surrounding it look like they’ve been there all along. It all fits. And, surprisingly enough, it doesn’t look cluttered. Martha Stewart would be impressed.
From the back of the range, which is open to the public, there’s a stone retaining wall and black metal railing that separates it from the building. Not ironically, it’s difficult to see into the Player Services Building but easy to see out of it, like from the outdoor terrace that overlooks the range.
