1934 Masters Program

(Finest Example Known!)

            Presented here is one of the most significant pieces of Masters Tournament memorabilia in existence - a near mint condition Program from the 1934 Augusta National Invitation Tournament, which would later be named "The Masters Tournament". The inaugural Augusta National Invitation Tournament was fortunate to gain some national exposure simply because Bobby Jones was attached to the golf course and the tournament. But no one, including Bobby Jones, could have envisioned the fame that the tournament would eventually receive. The first Augusta National Invitation Tournament actually lost money, and the purse was quickly assembled by a few of the first Augusta National members. But according to the 1999 book The Making of the Masters by David Owen, this 1934 program was actually a way for the club to both make money and pitch potential members:

"An additional source of revenue during the first tournament was an attractively printed program, which also served as an unofficial prospectus for potential members. The program was forty-four pages long and contained a map of the course, descriptions of the holes (written by MacKenzie), photographs of the clubhouse and other points of interest, historical information about the property, photographs of most of the members of the club, and several dozen advertisements. It sold for twenty-five cents. Overrepresented among the advertisers were the club's numerous creditors, who had been offered space in lieu of payment."

            Approximately two dozen 1934 Augusta National Invitation Tournament Programs are known to exist - many of which are in very poor condition. The one presented in this auction is quite possibly the finest in existence, and most certainly the best example ever offered to the public. The condition of this amazing program cannot be overstated - it is even believed to be superior in condition to the 1934 programs in Augusta National Golf Club's private collection.