We are approaching the excitement of Masters week and with it, all the speculation of how beautiful the course will be and if the azaleas will be in top form. After all, it's been a very warm winter and early spring. It doesn't take long for someone to suggest they are "icing" azaleas. I love it. There is even a Superintendent forum where folks in my business were talking about it (you think with a botany background some might be smarter). It went from icing azaleas to built-in underground refrigeration units that are able to "cool the roots to the point the shrub won't flower." When I left Augusta as an employee in September of 2000, I signed a confidentiality agreement saying I wouldn't discuss maintenance practices openly. To maintain that Augusta mystique, there has to be some theories of magic floating out there. I am not saying what does or does not happen at Augusta National. But, lets look at this with common sense. How is icing flower buds even possible or practical from a science perspective? How could you wrap ice on thousands and thousands of azalea shrubs, each one having hundreds of flowers? This is all done with a landscape staff of 20?
Flowering on many plants is primarily triggered by a photo period, meaning day length. Of course, temperature might play a small roll in this as well. Ever wonder why Poinsettias are "Christmas plants?" Or why Chrysanthemums are always associated with autumn decor? It's because these plants flower naturally at that time of year and thus became the flower of the season. The final round of the Masters has always and will always fall on the 2nd Sunday in April. Coincidence? Just like we can count on beautiful Poinsettias every Christmas, Azaleas in Augusta, GA rarely disappoint in early April. But...there have been Masters tournaments without flowers. Our selective memories would not have us believe this. If flowering lasts 2-3 weeks, there is always a chance of the tournament falling on the start, peak or tail end of this period. However, it isn't just azaleas that make the course so spectacular, it is also red-buds, dogwoods and other ornamentals that compliment the look. Don't believe me? Watch old Masters Tournaments on the Golf Channel and see for yourself. A former Superintendent of ANGC once made this point to me.
The next thing you hear about is the heating and air conditioning units located under the greens on the course. Is this another spectacular invention or technology only seen at ANGC? Absolutely not. There are many aspects of my business that did receive their start at Augusta but there is nothing that amazing about this particular one. In 2000, to the best of my knowledge, #12 green was the only green that had this technology but it is also my understanding that it has been added to most greens over the last 10 years as they are rebuilt. The system is quite simple. A grid of PEX piping (the blue
and red pipe used to plumb houses these days over copper or PVC) is installed 10" below the surface
as the new greens mix is installed in the green. This pipe runs to a manifold that is tied to a heat pump/condenser unit. Warm water or cold water is piped and circulated under the green. This isn't instant. If there is frost on the green, the superintendent doesn't just flip a switch, heat comes on frost is gone. It would take a period of days to substantially effect the temperature of the root zone. Maybe even weeks. The most impressive part of this isn't the technology, but the fact they pay the electric bill. I can't begin to imagine the cost. Furthermore, there needs to be adequate space near the green to put the AC unit. I understand they use portable units during the summer, mounted to a trailer and can be parked next to the green while the club is closed.
and red pipe used to plumb houses these days over copper or PVC) is installed 10" below the surface
as the new greens mix is installed in the green. This pipe runs to a manifold that is tied to a heat pump/condenser unit. Warm water or cold water is piped and circulated under the green. This isn't instant. If there is frost on the green, the superintendent doesn't just flip a switch, heat comes on frost is gone. It would take a period of days to substantially effect the temperature of the root zone. Maybe even weeks. The most impressive part of this isn't the technology, but the fact they pay the electric bill. I can't begin to imagine the cost. Furthermore, there needs to be adequate space near the green to put the AC unit. I understand they use portable units during the summer, mounted to a trailer and can be parked next to the green while the club is closed.
The magic in Augusta and the Masters is a First Class event and a marketing program like no other. One might say it is the most prestigious "Major" although I would disagree. To me, winning the Open Championship (British) would solidify your reputation as a great all-around player in the world. The Masters is certainly a close second followed by the US Open and then PGA Championship. There certainly isn't anything like it and I am forever grateful I was able to participate in a behind the scenes role for a year in 2000. However, my best memories at Augusta came from summer there, not the Masters, observing the many projects, installing SubAir vaults and managing bentgrass greens in the most God-awful summer climate. Talk about a great learning experience- there wasn't anything quite like it.