Payne’s Legacy: The Other Side of Augusta National

On 16th October 2017, William Porter Payne stepped down as Chairman of the world’s most exclusive golf club. Long-renowned for the secretive way in which it is run, Augusta National had made some extraordinary leaps under Payne’s stewardship; some widely known, some shrouded in the usual mystery.

As Masters week gathers momentum, pictures of the immaculate practice areas and the meticulously groomed golf course are beamed around the world for everyone to enjoy. We are filled with a sense of tradition as the Masters’ menu is posted on social media; pimento cheese, egg mayo, and sausage biscuits, all at preposterously low prices.

The green-and-white umbrellas, official merchandise, and fold-up chairs are as much a part of the scene as the fairways and greens, as are the pine needles and the famous bridges. Whilst patrons wander around the golf course, here and there we catch sight of a building; white, wooden…modest. However, the broadcast does not show us the true scale of Augusta National. It begs the question; what else is on that most prestigious of properties?

Behind the scenes at Augusta National

Well, if you are anything like me you will have wondered, at some point, what the high-end hospitality clients do at the Masters. At other tournaments it is obvious; huge corporate buildings with chrome-and-glass fronts and besuited occupants, positioned proudly on the edge of a fairway somewhere. Think the 18th at Carnoustie – during Open week, it is completely lined down one side by such constructions. At Augusta, though…nothing. Nothing visible, anyway.

Although you will not see it on the broadcast this week, Augusta National has its own, incredible version of Carnoustie’s 18th. Built and run by the club itself, Berckman’s Place came to pass under Billy Payne’s tenure with the aim of providing a ‘money-can’t-buy’ type of experience to corporate clients, members, and guests. To this end, if you are lucky enough to be within the mysterious walls of this building, you will not find a use for money in the usual sense.

The restaurants (four, apparently) attach no prices to their food and drink. The inside is state-of-the-art, with gleaming decor and attendants ready to swoop in at the merest sign of a footprint or, heaven forbid, a spillage. Amazingly, there is no sign of this building on course maps – Augusta certainly know how to spike the world’s curiosity, that’s for sure. Even more amazingly, in my opinion, Berckman’s place has three perfect replicas of actual Augusta greens; guests are allowed to putt on them with a borrowed, top-of-the-range putter and even get a boiler-suited caddie to guide them around.

It is the stuff of golfing dreamland – but it will set you back a pretty penny. Although nothing inside will cost you anything in the immediate sense, there is an entry fee. Apparently, nobody is exactly sure what it is or how long it is valid for, but the figures I have been able to find range between $6000 and $12,000. Sheesh.

If Berckman’s place is state-of-the-art, Billy Payne’s legacy includes an even more glitzy addition to the property. The press building was opened in 2017 to an outpouring of the usual surprise and mystery, not to mention pure delight amongst the golfing media. A local journalist estimated the cost to be somewhere around $65m, but goodness actually knows what it cost; it seems that much of the information we have about this project is pie-in-the-sky guesswork.

Whatever the price tag, we can all agree that it is impressive; the huge front doors open into an enormous entrance hall with a gigantic, illuminating skylight. A country-house-style staircase leads up to a restaurant and the media room, equipped with luxurious leather chairs and two TV screens to a desk. Previous inhabitants of this building describe it as a bricks-and-mortar tribute to the Masters tournament; memorabilia adorns the walls and entire rooms are dedicated to the memory of legendary players, moments, and events. No wonder we are not seeing many hacks walking the course these days.

However, it is not buildings or luxurious experiences that Billy Payne’s leadership will be remembered for. The records will show some much more meaningful achievements that may be looked back on as defining moments in the history of Augusta National; moments that may have allowed the club to enter the 21st century as an enduring institution as opposed to an old-fashioned, outdated place for wealthy men to congregate.

Payne’s successful introduction of Drive, Chip and Putt has provided this year’s most heartwarming moment so far, when Autumn Solesbee won the 7-9 age category and melted everybody’s hearts in the process. It’s not hard to make Bubba Watson cry, but on this occasion, I don’t blame him.

Billy Payne also managed to bring a female membership to Augusta National, something the club had resisted for a long while. Condoleeza Rice and Darla Moore were the first two, marking a significant change in the club’s history.

So, we begin and end this article with Billy Payne. This is not even the start of what he achieved during his time as Chairman, but it gives us an insight into some of the progress made at this historic club over the last decade. So, enjoy the beautiful colors this week, enjoy the fast greens and the pine needles, enjoy the Masters’ menus and the beautiful old leaderboards. But don’t forget to peek beyond them and wonder: ‘what’s down there?’