The Masters: Is the Par-3 Contest and Course Overlooked?

The Masters is one of the most beloved events in all of sports. However, the popular but underrated annual Par-3 Contest could inspire other events.

The Masters, golf’s springtime tradition, is near and as always will provide sports fans with highlights to remember. The annual par-3 contest has become one of the funnest events in golf, but does it get overlooked?

With so many minds laser focused on the big tournament, it’s easy to sleep on the par-3 tournament. In reality though, the contest is what helps make Masters Week so special.

Featuring nine stunning holes, the course incorporates fun design elements which will test any great iron player. What makes the track so exciting is the numerous shots over water, making each shot a make or break moment.

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With the event taking place the day before the big show, it’s a cool way for fans to soak in the beauty of Augusta National early. The tournament is great for numerous reasons which include the family-like atmosphere it has been known for.

With many players bringing their children and wives on the course as caddies, it shows how much golf can bring people together. I feel the event also shows the importance of par-3s in the sport.

I’ve written many times about my passion for the shorter courses, and the Augusta par-3 track is one of the best in the world. The digital age is continuing to take shape. With this, more media coverage today exposes the joys of the contest to many viewers, listeners and readers around the world.

Also, with the course being all par-3s, there’s a great chance for the always amazing holes-in-one. As we saw last year, everybody brought their best sticks of accuracy as there were a record nine (!!) aces.

Thanks to the ever evolving nature of digital media, it helps expose more folks to the contest, which is a good thing.

Although it is a popular event with fans, does it get overlooked at times? It gets fairly strong coverage, but it may not be taken as seriously due to its laid back nature.

I’m not saying that the Masters par-3 competition should become a fierce duel to the death like in For Honor between the Knights, Vikings and Samurai. It would destroy the feeling that makes it such a wonderful event every Spring.

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However, I hope that, as the digital age of media coverage progresses, that the tourney can inspire new events. There should be more competitive par-3 competitions at the professional as as well as the college level.

The Masters has the power to inspire, due to its rich history and iconic location. Not to mention, it’s the biggest golf tournament that general sports fans will take in each year.

At least one major par-3 tournament should be added to the professional golf calendar. It could be at the same course every year, or it could rotate like the majors (excluding Masters) do each season.

With the Azaleas of Augusta coming ever so near our TV screens, it’s only right to salute one of the finest events in golf. I hope the par-3 contest gets fans inspired to tee it up at a short track themselves.

Not only are the courses fun to play, but they also provide a great challenge. Augusta’s par-3 track is arguably the best our world has to offer.

The Masters is upon us. Soak it all in.

Next: Ranking All 18 Holes at Augusta National

Do you believe the Masters par-3 contest is underrated? What are some your favorite memories of the event? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments or you can let me know on Twitter @ChiGolfRadio.

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