A tradition like no other, can’t just be copied.
According to the U.K.'s Daily Mail, that's the message Augusta National Golf Club has related to a British counterpart that has adopted The Masters Tournament's famed tradition of awarding a green jacket to its winner.
The Mullion Golf Club in Cornwall, a fishing community on England's southwestern tip, began a tournament in 1992 called the Coverack Masters. Played in the last weekend of December, the Mullion's tournament celebrates the winner with a pint (or two) at a local club and an honorary green sports coat.
Augusta National took notice in 2017 and, according to The Mail, told the tiny English club they were in breach of copyright — and to stop using the name Masters and handing out green jackets.
Augusta’s traditions are steeped in time.
The tournament was originally dubbed the “Augusta National Invitational” when it first began in 1934. The name Masters was formally adopted five years later.
Sports Illustrated explains co-founder Bobby Jones first objected to it being called The Masters:
Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the founders of the event, originally named the tournament, The Augusta National Invitational Tournament. When Roberts proposed the name, The Masters, Jones objected, believing the name was too presumptuous. However, five years later, Jones relented and the name was officially changed. Beginning in 1940, the Masters was scheduled each year during the first full week in April.
The tournament website details all that the map-and-flag logo, and the terms Masters, Augusta and Amen Corner are registered trademarks owned by Augusta National.
The green jacket has been an Augusta tradition since 1949 when Sam Snead was the first to receive the now coveted prize. The jacket is the property of the club and champion must return it to the clubhouse one year after his win.
Mullion club secretary Ray Griffiths told The Mail on Sunday that Augusta's cease and desist letter was passed to Coverack Masters organizers and the event has now been renamed in honor of a late former captain.
They would not discuss the prized trophy. Augusta National said the matter was private.
The 2019 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club starts Thursday, April 11. Patrick Reed is the defending champion.
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