Chasing the Green, but Not the Money

Any golf fan that's ever purchased masters tickets, or even seen the tournament from home, has probably heard of the reputable prize awarded to each year's winner: The Green Jacket. But for those who are unfamiliar, the historic Green Jacket is an award presented to every Masters champion as a gesture of acceptance into their prestigious golf community, and has been in tradition for over six decades. Signifying triumph and nobility, the prominence accompanying the elusive Green Jacket has become one of the most sought after achievements for golfing's elite.
Introduced in 1937, the Green Jacket was first recognized by the Augusta National Golf Club as an acceptance of membership into their established club-as opposed to solely Masters champions today. It was not until 1949 that the Green Jacket began being awarded to winners of the Masters tournament, as Sam Snead was the first to embrace its honor. Since then, the jacket has celebrated 50 different champions whom became a part of its history. The ritual is exactly as it sounds, it involves the shouldering of a shamrock green jacket at the end of each Masters Tournament as fans and spectators pay tribute to its new owner. And each year, the jacket is passed from champion to champion, where it honors and then awaits next year's champion. Who will be next?
This year's Masters Tournament is host to an arsenal of highly talented professional golfers whom, for some, are seeking their first Masters title. But let's not overshadow history and pay tribute to the fierce group of competitors chasing their 2nd or even 5th Masters Championship. With names like Woods and Mickelson in the hunt, there's no doubt that this year's Green Jacket winner is going to have to earn their award. We're all anxiously awaiting to see who will be the crowned champion at the 2011 Masters Tournament. So get your masters tickets before they're all gone.