The Overlooked History Behind the Masters Trophy

The History Behind the Masters TrophyRichard Heathcote - Getty Images

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The green jacket might be most synonymous with the winner of the Masters, one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments. But what’s often forgotten, or not even known, is that there’s also a large trophy that comes with the victory. The hardware, which is quite large, has a history nearly as storied as the event itself. From a simple brass plaque to a 132-pound silver clubhouse that never leaves Augusta, the trophy has evolved considerably since the tournament’s earliest days. Here, a brief history on the Masters trophy.

The early awards

Arnold Palmer (left), winner of the 1960 Masters Golf Tournament, with the previous trophy plaque.Bettmann - Getty Images

The Masters was founded in 1934. There was certainly prize money still handed out back then to the winners, but the extras didn’t come until later. It was in 1937, three years after the Augusta National Golf Club opened, that members first began wearing green blazers to identify themselves to patrons. A green jacket was first awarded to winner Sam Snead in 1949.

The trophy for low amateur seen at the 1978 Masters Tournament.Augusta National - Getty Images

The first trophy handed out at the Masters was a simple brass plaque, presented to Byron Nelson after winning the 1942 tournament. Since 1952, the low amateur—the amateur golfer with the lowest score who makes the 36-hole cut—has received a silver cup. Beginning in 1954, crystal vases were added for three single-round achievements: the day’s low score, a hole-in-one, and an eagle, which is two strokes under par on a single hole.

The permanent clubhouse trophy

A photograph of the Masters trophy dated to 1961.Augusta National - Getty Images

It was in 1961 that the Masters introduced the winner’s trophy we know today. Made in England from over 900 separate pieces of sterling silver, the trophy is a scale model of the Augusta Masters clubhouse.

The trophy on display during the 1963 Masters.Augusta National - Getty Images

It rests on a four-foot-wide wooden pedestal wrapped in a silver band measuring 9 feet, 6 inches in length, on which the names of every champion and runner-up in tournament history are engraved. The trophy weighs 132 pounds and has never left the Augusta National grounds.

Tiger Woods with his replica trophy at the 1997 Masters.PGA TOUR Archive - Getty Images

Rory McIlroy hoists the trophy over his head after winning last year.Richard Heathcote - Getty Images

Since 1993, the champion has received a smaller sterling silver replica of the permanent trophy to keep. The replica is 13.5 inches wide, 6.5 inches tall, and weighs 20 pounds. Bernhard Langer, the 1993 Masters champion, was the first recipient. When the replica was introduced, all previous champions were offered the opportunity to purchase their own versions, and many of them did. Jack Nicklaus was said to have bought four, although he won the Masters six times.

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