Family fun and holes in one - the Masters tradition crossing generations

Frankie Fleetwood (bottom of the photo) proved to be one of the stars of the show at the Masters annual Par 3 Contest on Wednesday [Getty Images]

Three-time Masters champion Gary Player might turn 91 later this year, but on Wednesday he was still high-kicking his way around Augusta and lapping up another chance to play in front of the patrons.

Remy Scheffler is just two weeks old. The new-born son of world number one Scottie was ferried around the course by his mother Meredith in a baby carrier.

The presence of two people at the opposite ends of human lifespan showed the Masters' annual Par 3 Contest is not just providing wholesome, family-friendly entertainment.

It also showed how golf - in a time when all sports and pursuits are battling for attention in a saturated leisure market more than ever before - has the capacity to bring generations together like few others.

The sight of Player holing birdie putts and celebrating by lifting one young fan into his arms, contrasted superbly with nine-year-old Frankie Fleetwood's focus and determination to clear the water and hit the ninth green.

"I just think about the time span. That's why our game is so incredible," defending champion Rory McIlroy said earlier this week.

For the world's leading golfers, there are few weeks in the season which heighten the senses more than the Masters - especially if you're in the mix for the Green Jacket.

The shortform spectacle demonstrated once again that the annual pilgrimage to Augusta National is not all about stressing over fairway lies and pin positions.

It's about seeing the stars switch off on the eve of what could be the biggest week of their careers, beaming from ear-to-ear as they play a glamorous version of pitch and putt, with their partners and children by their side dressed in Augusta caddie boiler suits.

England's Aaron Rai said it felt "phenomenal" to top the leaderboard - even though nobody has ever won the event - which started in 1960 - and gone on to claim the main prize at the weekend.

"I'm not sure if it's a good omen or not," smiled Rai, who credited his wife Gaurika - also a professional golfer - for helping him win by reading his putts.

"A lot of people just enjoy this tournament for what it means for spending time with the family."

Rai was spot on. The event isn't about the winning. It's all about the taking part.

Last year, McIlroy's daughter Poppy stole the show by knocking in a 30-foot putt as the stars cut loose before the serious stuff starts on Thursday.

This year, it was Tommy Fleetwood's son Frankie who took the spotlight.

Wolverhampton-born Rai won the Par 3 Contest with a six-under-par score of 21 [Getty Images]

The youngster had the galleries chanting his name as he tried to fulfill a vow made 12 months ago - to clear the water with his tee-shot on the final ninth hole.

A year older, bigger and stronger - and armed with a bespoke club - he had made it a mission to fulfill what had turned into a personal challenge.

"When I go on to the range I just think about this every single day," Frankie said in one of countless television interviews during the round.

Described as a "chatterbox" by his dad, Frankie showed he is a chip off the old block - talking confidently in front of the camera, demonstrating a steeliness to succeed and possessing a stylish swing of the club.

Anticipation built on the course as the Fleetwood family, again playing alongside the McIlroys and Lowrys, played their way round to the ninth tee.

Young Frankie was wide right with his first attempt and, after the Augusta patrons chanted for him to get another chance, came closer with a second but it still ended up wet. He walked off with the consoling arm of Shane's daughter Iris Lowry - who also went close to hitting the putting surface - round his shoulders

"I think more than anything the pressure is on me to keep making the Masters until he reaches the green on the ninth," said his father Tommy, who continues his quest this week for a first major title following several top-five finishes.

Fleetwood tuned up his short game with a hole-in-one which made the patrons roar, with American trio Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark and Keegan Bradley also carding aces to dial up the entertainment factor.

Bradley, who was the US captain in their Ryder Cup defeat by Europe last year, is first player in the history of the 66-year competition to land holes-in-one in consecutive years.

The noise in the galleries may be matched over the course of the week as the sporting drama intensifies, but the chaos inside the ropes - children sliding down bunkers - will make way for the usual cordiality of the main event.

Father-of-five Jason Day jokingly described the occasion as "a circus", with Clark adding: "As a man with no kids I'll say it's great birth control but it's a lot of fun."

Celebrity stardust came in the shape of comedian Kevin Hart, who caddied for three-time major champion Bryson DeChambeau, and former NFL star Jason Kelce in a roving reporter role on the course.

Their presence came hours after Augusta chairman Fred Ridley discussed the ongoing battle for the Masters to find the balance "between respecting tradition and innovating".

On this evidence, the Par 3 Contest is treading the line nicely as the Masters looks to ensure it - and golf - remains relevant for decades to come.

Gary Player, who first appeared at the Masters in 1957, was accompanied by his great-grandchildren [Getty Images]

All the excitement became a bit too much for Jon Rahm's son Kepa by the time they reached the ninth hole [Getty Images]

Even the players want photos at Augusta with world number 25 Maverick McNealy snapping his wife Maya and daughter Adeline to mark his second appearance at the Masters [Getty Images]

Scottie Scheffler and his wife Meredith showed off their newly-extended family as two-week-old Remy joined his older brother Bennett at Augusta [Getty Images]