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Augusta National asks three former champs to drop out
Posted: Wednesday February 27, 2002 3:27 PM
Augusta Chroncile Staff and Wire Reports
One reason some former Masters champions might not return to Augusta National has more to do with 300 words than 300 yards.
Golf World magazine reports in its March 1 issue that club chairman Hootie Johnson has written to at least three former champions - Doug Ford, Gay Brewer and Billy Casper - asking that they no longer play.
"Your recent record is not indicative of active participation (and) in keeping with the spirit of the intent of the founders, we believe that the 2001 Masters should be your final one as a player," the magazine cited the letter as saying.
No player has formally notified the club he will not play in this year's tournament, which will be held April 11-14. Extensive course changes made since last year's tournament have lengthened the course almost 300 yards.
Johnson said several players were asked to "evaluate their participation."
"We think the intent of Bob Jones and Clifford
Roberts was for a golfer to play as long as he made a serious effort to participate actively in the tournament," Johnson said.
All former champions are invited to play in the tournament and are welcome to play practice rounds, compete in the Par-3 Contest and attend the Masters Club dinner.
Casper, the last of those three to make a cut in 1987, shot 87-80 last year. Brewer withdrew after an 84, while Ford withdrew after playing the first hole - a double bogey.
Ford, the 1957 Masters winner, has the most appearances in tournament history with 49. Casper, who won at Augusta National in 1970, has played in 44 Masters. Brewer, the 1967 champion, has teed it up in 39 Masters.
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