THE AUGUSTA WAY

The men who play in it are aware that no golf championship in the world can match the Masters for elegance and tradition, but rarely are outsiders privileged to see what makes this event unique. Here and on the following pages are some of the elements that give Masters Week a mystique all its own.

Touches of distinction are everywhere at Augusta National, from the silver tea service given to the winner of the par-3 tournament, to the limousine—being dusted in the driveway by Chauffeur Johnny Milton—that is always available for the use of members, to the club's seven "cabins." Shown here is the living room of the Eisenhower Cabin at a moment when everybody is outdoors because there is action on the course, as the television shows. Below is the umbrella-shaded clubhouse lawn in late afternoon, and Clifford Roberts walking up an azalea-bordered pathway toward the cabins.

For the players, the rewards of a Masters invitation are many. At far left is one of several Steuben glass prizes and a rack of the champions' green coats, which are only worn on such occasions as the Masters Club Dinner (below center), the most elite meal in golf, where last year the defending champion and host, Jack Nicklaus, was flanked by Bobby Jones and Tournament Chairman Roberts, with Ben Hogan and Sam Snead in the foreground. At left, with Jones' clubs as a backdrop, a tournament-day buffet is set. Below, Bert Yancey and Julius Boros relax over a snack in the Upper Grill Room.

Certain outdoor scenes emphasize still other unusual dimensions of the Masters spectacle: the permanent trophy (far left), which is on display near the first tee; the club's famed wistaria, as seen through a TV camera; English Newsman Leonard Crawley, one of a press corps that makes this the most fully covered of all tournaments; Caddie "Fireball" Franklin, who had a winner in his first Masters—Doug Ford in '57—but hasn't hit since; and golf's ubiquitous George Low ("I'm everybody's guest"), lighting the veranda in flaming red.

The end comes. First, the awards presentation, with former champion Nicklaus, runner-up Bobby Nichols and winner Gay Brewer seated at one side, Jones and Roberts at the other, and the trophies between them, including the silver bas relief that goes to the winner. And last, a sight that officials won't let television show, trash encircling the 18th green. In moments it will be picked up and Augusta National will be immaculate again.

NINETEEN PHOTOS

JAY MAISEL