Fishing and Friday Sing? Learn 5 Masters Tournament traditions that took place away from fans

USA Today

07-04-2025

Fishing and Friday Sing? Learn 5 Masters Tournament traditions that took place away from fans
Certain Masters Tournament traditions have stood the test of time.
Others, such as the Wednesday long-drive contest, have ceased.
Then, there are certain behind-the-scenes moments reserved only for club members and tournament players.
Here's a look at five lesser known facts about Augusta National.
To go, please
Dustin Johnson's menu at the 2021 Champions Dinner featured a main course of filet mignon or marinated sea bass.
The dessert? A choice of peach cobbler or apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
'We're finishing the meal,' 1982 winner Craig Stadler said. 'Then I start seeing people getting bottles of wine to go.'
Stadler — a supper attendee since 1983 — had never seen it done.
But there it was. An Augusta National waiter bringing bottles for the road.
'I thought, 'These would be a great addition to my wine collection,'' Stadler said.
The Walrus, seizing an opportunity to hike DJ's tab, ordered a bottle of white and red. Then, for good measure, had the host sign the bottles in gold Sharpie.
Fishing at DeSoto Springs Pond
It's been 50 years since Jerry Pate entered the bag room inside Augusta National's golf shop.
Stacked tall in one corner were golf bags. In another were fishing poles and a tackle box, belonging to caddie master Freddie Bennett.
Pate, competing as an amateur in 1975, dispensed a top-water lure, hooked it tight, then paced towards the Par 3 Course.
'I'd fish at Augusta every year,' said Pate, now 71. 'I caught a lot of bass on the upper pond.'
Pate qualified for the Masters seven times between 1975 and 1982, and each year — upon completing a practice round — he'd venture to DeSoto Springs Pond.
The Alabama native was often joined by Andy Bean, Dave Stockton and his brother-in-law, Bruce Lietzke. But the most notable fishermen were Julius Boros and Sam Snead.
'You wouldn't believe the bass we caught,' Pate said. 'But we'd always throw them back. I never took one to get fried up.'
Fishing at Augusta National lasted at least 30 years, with Pate continuing through 1982, and Snead being seen on the pond as early as 1953.
But Snead's most memorable catch occurred on April 6, 1970. According to journalist Dick Schaap, chairman Clifford Roberts was sitting in the club's barber shop when Snead walked inside holding a smallmouth weighing eight pounds.
'Biggest of its kind I've seen here,' Roberts said.
Snead's smile stretched across his face.
'Sam,' Roberts said. 'I don't believe you were this happy the first time you won the Masters.'
Buried in green
Billy Casper never lost his appreciation for the Masters Tournament and Augusta National Golf Club.
In fact, he took a piece with him when he died in 2015.
According to Casper's wife, Shirley, her husband wished to be buried in his green jacket, and Augusta National granted the request.
'It's hard to describe how much winning the 1970 Masters meant to Bill,' Shirley said.
Augusta National's singular trophy
'Would you care to play?' Bobby Jones asked 19-year-old Fred Haas after the 1934 Southern Amateur at New Orleans Country Club.
'Thank you very much, Mr. Jones,' Haas replied. 'I'll be there.'
With that, in 1935, the Louisiana amateur became the first teen to compete at the Masters Tournament. But it was 20 years later — in 1955 — when Haas received a trophy from Augusta National.
On April 6, 1955, Gene Sarazen had his bridge dedication ceremony, while Roberts gave the field two chances to recreate the Squire's hole-out from No. 15 fairway.
No player was successful, but Haas was closest to the pin: 4 feet, 1 inch away.
The award?
A crystal bowl with two eagles joined together.
The Friday Sing
Charlie Yates, whose member number at Augusta National was 3, behind only Bobby Jones (1) and Clifford Roberts (2), won low amateur at the Masters Tournament five times between 1934 and 1942.
He could also sing.
When the United States lost the Walker Cup in 1938 — its first defeat since the inception of the event in 1922 — Yates serenaded the St. Andrews crowd with the Scottish song, 'A Wee Deoch and Doris.'
Yates also crooned during his Augusta National membership.
Each Friday evening of Masters Week, after the cut was finalized, Yates hosted a gathering inside Butler Cabin called 'The Friday Sing.'
Tennessee Ernie Ford headlined the evening throughout the early 1980s, while the Gatlin Brothers (Larry, Steve and Rudy) joined forces in 1985.
The event, filled with dancing and levity, was a staple for Augusta National members until Yates' death in 2005.