ESPN.com
Thursday, April 5
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Masters will have a slightly new look next year, both at the course and on television. Augusta National Golf Club officials say they will lengthen and alter several par-4s, making the course measure more than 7,000 yards for the first time. It plays 6,985 yards for this year's tournament, which begins Thursday. In addition, club chairman Hootie Johnson says that all 18 holes are likely to be shown on television during the final round next year, allowing CBS to follow the leaders throughout their rounds. In recent years, The Masters has been televised for 2½ hours each on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and three hours on Sunday, with coverage limited mainly to the back nine. The course changes provided the biggest buzz, however. "We do plan to make extensive changes in an attempt to strengthen some of our par-4s next summer for the 2002 Masters," Johnson said. "We don't have those plans finalized." Johnson said that some of the changes will be lengthening holes, and the 405-yard 14th has been mentioned as a possibility. Other changes will be in the size and possibly the placement bunkers -- to encourage "accuracy off the tee," as Johnson said. Tom Fazio will be the architect. "The equipment is making a huge difference and we are going to make an attempt, as we always have, to try and keep the golf course current with the times," Johnson said. "Hootie is reacting to what has to happen," said Jack Nicklaus, who blamed golf balls and other equipment which has shortened courses. "You have to compete wih what's gonig on." Johnson said that the changes are not in response to low scores. Masters officials were criticized three years ago for adding rough to narrow the driving area on several holes the year after Tiger Woods had scorched the field at 18-under. Johnson said that the ninth hole was lengthened 30 years ago after players were hitting short irons into the par-4 green, rather than 4- and 5-irons. Several other minor alterations have also marked Augusta National's 67-year history. This is the 65th Masters. "(We're) trying to maintain (Augusta National's) integrity and at the same time, attempting to have it current with the golf game today," Johnson said. "I think they're just trying to make par a good score again," said Loren Roberts, who said he was surprised by the news. Some were saddened. "I don't know how you compare performances over time if you keep changing the golf course," said Hal Sutton. "I've heard them say that Bobby Jones didn't intend for us to be hitting short irons into greens. He didn't intend for the greens to be rolling 13 (on the Stimpmeter) either." Sutton doesn't expect to have much influence, however. "Who am I to say?" he said, laughing. "They're going to do what they want to do. They're not going to consult with me." Others were fine with the changes. "If they want to lengthen it, I'll still come back if they invite me," said Stewart Cink. "But I don't think they need to tinker with it. It's a great course the way it is." "I think that if you're going to let the golf ball do what it's doing, you have to lengthen the golf course," Nicklaus said. As for television, Johnson said that Sunday is the only day being considered for extended coverage. "It takes us a long time to get around to making a decision, but we are considering 18-hole coverage for the leaders on Sunday," Johnson said. "And possibly that could come about next year." Johnson said that coverage would be extended either 60 or 90 minutes.
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