Osmanthus fragrans, native to southern Asia, is an evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the Olive Family. It's intermittent displays of small white flowers from December to March are delightfully fragrant. The Tea Olive attains a height of 16 to 20' and can be found to the right of the fairway and rear of the green. Hole No.1 was first named "Cherokee Rose" for Georgia's state flower.
Significant changes: (2006) - Fairway bunker adjusted: Trees added to left side of fairway; Tee moved back 15-20 yards; (2009) - Back of tee reduced 7 yards and scorecard changed to 445 yards. "A drive that is long and straight ... will be in a favorable position for the second. It is difficult to obtain par figures from any other position." - Alister Mackenzie
July 19, 2008John "Pro" Phillips Champions Country Club
July 13, 2015John "Pro" Phillips Sea Island (Maggi Major)
May 19, 2017Ronny Byrd Blackhawk (Formerly The Houstonian)
Hole 2: "Pink Dogwood"
Cornus florida, <var. ruba>, is an American contribution to the world of ornamental horticulture. This tree is a mutation that is propagated by grafting onto a white dogwood seedling. Depending on the weather, the tree blooms late March through April. This hole is flanked by masses of these colorful native trees. Before it was Pink Dogwood, No. 2 was named "Woodbine."
Significant Changes: (1999) - Fairway bunker shifted to right; Tee moved back 20-25 yards.
"It was one of our guiding principles in building the Augusta National that even our par 5s should be reachable by two excellent shots." -Bobby Jones April 6, 1959
Prunus persica is native to China. The flowering varieties are cultivars developed for their showy blossoms and not their fruit. The flowers may come in white, pink, red or variegated colors; they usually bloom from mid- to late March and can be found along the right side of the fairway.
"The left hand side of the green is very narrow; whereas the right side is broad. It is easy for anyone to reach the wide portion of the green with their second shot but difficult to reach the narrow end where the pin will usually be placed." - Allster Mackenzie
Malus hybrida are Far Eastern varieties that have a more prolific flowering habit than native forms. The trees bloom in late March and early April, with light-pink to deep-rose flowers followed in the fall by colorful tiny apples, a popular food for wild birds.
Significant Changes: (2006) - Tee moved back 30-35 yards.
"The length of this hole can be varied a great deal, depending upon use of the back tee or the rear portion of the forward tee. From the back tee the shot is usually a strong iron or even a 4- or 3-wood." - Bobby Jones
Magnolia grandiflora the botanical name is descriptive of the massive evergreen tree with large, fragrant white flowers that bloom in May and June.The magnolia is one of the most prominent native trees at Augusta National. Deciduous imported varieties are also present.
Significant Changes: (2003) - Fairway bunkers extended about 80 yards toward the green.
The proper line here is, as closely as possible, past the bunker on the left side of the fairway. It is not necessary to carry this bunker in order to direct the drive into a groove in the fairway on top of the hill. But it is a very comforting safety factor to have sufficient length for the carry should the shot be pulled slightly." - Bobby Jones
Juniperus virginiana is a native evergreen tree. Commonly called Red Cedar, it is not a true cedar. The aromatic wood makes it popular for storage chests and other furniture. Younger trees are used extensively as Christmas trees in the South. Can be found on both sides of the tee and right of the green.
Significant Changes: (1930's) - Green fronted by a stream, converted to a pond 2 decades later; (1959) Pond filled in.
"With the ball stopping either short of this raised area (back plateau) or off to the left of it, it is an extremely difficult job to get the first putt close to the hole." - Bobby Jones
Cortaderia selloana. is native to Argentina, it sends up its plume-like flowers in August, the seed tassels lasting until the following spring. Pampas can be spotted on the left side of the fairway. Before it was Pampas, No. 7 was named "Cedar."
Significant Changes: (1938) - Green relocated and bunkers added; (2006) Tee moved back 35-40 yards; Trees added to both sides of fairway, Green rebuilt for possible right-rear pin position. "Length is certainly not at a premium here, but the narrow fairway seems to have an added impact because it suddenly confronts the player just when he has become accustomed to the broad expanses of the preceding holes. ... The second shot is normally a steep pitch, often with a wedge, and precise judgment of range is required." - Bobby Jones
Gelsemium sempervirens is a twining vine native to the Southeast. The trumpet-shaped flowers bloom yellow from the first warmth in February through late March. It grows just short of the eighth green, on the left.
Significant Changes: (2002) - Tee moved back 15-20 yards and shifted 10 yards to golfer's right; Fairway bunker reshaped and nearly doubled in size. "(The green) is completely visible for the third shot and a player who is sufficiently long to get up in two will be able to define the position of the green owing to the size of the surrounding hillock." - Alister Mackenzie
March 4, 2016 Mark Ingebrigtsen Woodforest Golf Club
Hole 9: "Carolina Cherry"
Prunus caroliniana is a small, native evergreen tree. The plant bears prolific clusters of small, white flowers in April followed by black berries that are popular with a variety of birds. It grows along the right side of the fairway.
Signifcant Changes: (2002) - - Tee moved back 25-30 yards.
""Under normal playing conditions a long drive straight down the middle of the fairway will give the best result, since the ball will reach a reasonably flat area and provide an open shot for at least half the green. The hole opens up more and more as the drive is played to the right, but the distance becomes increasingly longer." - Bobby Jones
July 16, 2010Andy Turner & Peter VescovoPine Forest Country Club
February 7, 2014 Mark Murdock The Golf Club of Houston (Formerly Redstone)
Camellia japonica is a classic flowering evergreen shrub belonging to the Tea Family, and is native to China and Japan. The Berckmans family, who ran a nursery on the property prior to the construction of Augusta National, imported plants from Japan, France, England, Germany and Belgium, and listed 24 named varieties in P. J. A. Berckmans' catalogue of 1861. Blooming period and color vary depending on variety. Both the japonica and sasanqua species abound on this hole.
Significant Changes: (1937) - Green relocated from fairway bottom to current location; (2002) - Tee moved back 5-10 yards and moved five yards to the golfer's left. "A tee shot played to the right which does not avail itself of the slope will add at least two club numbers to the length of the second shot, in addition to which the approach to the green must be made across the slopes, rather than directly into them. A good drive down the left side usually makes it possible to play the second with a medium iron, sometimes even less if the wind be behind." - Bobby Jones
Cornus florida is one of the most popular flowering trees native to the eastern United States. The flowers—which bloom in late March and early April—are followed by shiny red berries in August and colorful foliage in the fall, making it the aristocrat of flowering trees in the South.
Significant Changes: (1950) - Tee relocated and pond left of green built; (1999) Green, pond and bunker complex adjusted; (2006) - Tee moved back 10-15 yards; Trees added to right side of fairway; Dogwoods added to wooded area on left; Fairway shifted to left; (2008) - Several trees removed on right side of fairway and fairway widened. "The second shot is usually played with a 3-iron or a stronger club, and a player must be bold indeed to go for the pin when it is in this location (left-hand side). ... a great many players play this hole safely to the right, relying on getting a long putt or chip dead for the par." - Bobby Jones
June 20, 2014John "Pro" Phillips Shadowhawk Country Club
July 14, 2016 Tim Colson The Traditions (Maggi Major)
Hole 12: "Golden Bell"
Forsythia intermedia is a hardy, deciduous shrub native to the Far East and belonging to the Olive family. It has become one of the more popular spring flowering shrubs in America, as few plants can match its brilliant display of yellow flowers in March and early April. Flower can be spotted behind the green. Before it was Golden Bell, No. 12 was named "Three Pines."
Significant Changes: <None>
"Here the distance must be gauged very accurately, and the wind sweeping down along Rae's Creek is often deceptive to the player standing on the tee about to hit." - Bobby Jones
Rhododendron specie, This hole bears the name of the plant for which Augusta National is most noted with over 30 varieties present. Native species and many of the rare older plants are also present. The flowering period ranges from March through mid-April. From tee to green, this hole is flanked on its south side by approximately 1,600 azaleas, including many different species and cultivars.
Significant Changes: (2002) - Tee moved back 20-25 yards. "Whatever position may be reached with the tee shot, the second shot as well entails a momentous decision whether or not to try for the green. Several tournaments have been won or lost here, even though the decision may not have been obvious at the time." - Bobby Jones
The exotic Cunninghamia lanceolata, native to China, is an unusual evergreen. The flowers are inconspicuous green catkins, which are followed by an ornamental cone. Older foliage remains dry and dead on the branches for several years. The Chinese fir is a highly prized tree in China and Japan, where it's often used for lumber and woodworking. Can be found let of the fairway.
Significant Changes: (1952) - Bunker on right side of fairway landing area removed; (2002) - Tee moved back 30-35 yards. "The putting surface along the front spills over the contours into the fairway. But an approach putt from this area is exceedingly difficult. A really good second shot leaving the ball close to the hole is most comforting here." - Bobby Jones
Pyracantha coccinea is one of the most prolific bearers of orange-red berries. It belongs to the Rose family, and in April is covered with numerous small, creamy white flowers, which in turn form the brilliant berries. The name Firethorn comes from the multitude of thorns covering the branches. The tree is native to southern Europe. Hole was previously named "Spanish Dagger."
Significant Changes: (1961) - Pond in front of green enlarged; (2006) - Tee moved back 25-30 yards; Tee shifted about 20 yards to golfer's left. "It is not only an interesting three-shot hole, as one will be maneuvering for position from the tee shot onwards, but also a magnificent two-shot hole, as a skillful and courageous player will, aided by a large hillock to the right, be able to pull his second shot around to the green. A pond in front of the green provides the penalty for the long player who fails to make a perfect second shot." - Alister Mackenzie
Cercis canadensis - Blooms March to May; clusters of small orchid-pink blooms before new heart-shaped leaves appear; followed by long seed pods. Called Judas tree based on myth that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on the related Cercis siliquastrum. It grows behind the 16th tee, left of the pond and right of the fairway cut.
Significant Changes: (1947) - Stream in front of green transformed into a pond. ""The tee shot to this hole will be played by the tournament players with a number 2-, 3- or 4-iron, depending upon the wind." - Bobby Jones.
Nandina domestica - Old-fashioned, tough evergreen shrub with fernlike foliage, Blooms April to May; large clusters of small, creamy flowers; In winter, yields clusters of brilliant red berries. It grows in a cluster near the records fountain on the right and to the left and right of the hole, close to the members' tee.
Significant Changes: (2006) - Tee moved back 10-15 yards. "Depending upon the wind, a fine drive may leave a second shot requiring anything from a good 5-iron or easy 4 to a short pitch." - Bobby Jones
Ike's Tree isn't a problem for big hitters, but others still struggle to hit it far enough to have a good look at the green. Golfers want to hit as short a club as possible for their approach to this difficult green.
Holly I-ex - - Dioecious evergreen tree with spiny, dull green leaves; From March to June, male and female bear inconspicuous green or white flowers; Female yields bright red poisonous berries in winter, if male is also present. Holly grows right of the 18th tee and on both sides of the fairway.
Significant Changes: (1967) - Double bunker constructed left of fairway landing area; (2002) - Tee moved back 55-60 yards and moved to the golfer's right five yards; (2002) - Bunker complex adjusted.
"The front area of this green is nicely molded to receive a pitch and provide a good putt for a birdie when the hole is cut here. Yet a ball driven to the left side of the fairway safely away from the trees must be pitched quite closely over the guarding bunker." - Bobby Jones
