Augusta House: Going green at the Masters

Like the majority of journalists covering the Masters this week, PGATOUR.COM's group of writers -- Melanie Hauser (MH), Mike McAllister (MM), Helen Ross (HR) and Brian Wacker (BW) -- have rented a house instead of staying in hotel rooms. So what did they talk about Saturday night? Here's a peek inside Augusta House.

MM: I went to the merchandise tent the other day and ended up buying a Masters sweater vest. It's green. It's probably the only thing in my closet that will be green. I just don't wear green, but I think when you're at Augusta National, you can't help but buy something that's green. It's weird.

BW: I didn't get anything that's green. I bought a hat that's dark blue and a shirt that's light blue. All the green stuff is hideous. It's ugly.

HR: I bought a white shirt once with the logo. Does that count?

MM: Do you agree with Brian that green is hideous?

HR: Well, let's just say I'm not a green person.

MM: Then I guess that leaves me as the only one who isn't appalled by the green jacket. I'll be sure to tell the folks at Augusta National about where we all stand on the color green.

BW: Oh, the green jacket is awesome. If they gave me one, I'd wear it on the street.

HR: It's symbolic.

MM: Hmm, you hate green but like the green jacket. Not sure you can have it both ways.

BW: Actually, I have a green Masters shirt. My brother has been here before and he bought my dad a green shirt with the logo on it, and my dad eventually gave it to me. It's hanging in my closet. It's a little big for me, though, so I don't wear it.

MM: Speaking of the green jacket, there's a story about Trevor Immelman's jacket that you were telling me the other day, Helen.

HR: He had flown to Japan soon after he won last year and when he got off the plane, he had the green jacket with him, since he didn't want to check it. So he's waiting for his bags and these people recognized him, and when they saw he had the green jacket, they started crying. They were really emotional about being that close to the green jacket.

MM: Very cool.

HR: The interesting thing is that Trevor had the jacket in a green suit bag with the Masters logo on it. The year before, I was at the airport when Zach Johnson left Augusta after he won. His wife got out of the car and had the green jacket in her arms. She didn't want to get it dirty, obviously, so she had put it inside a white garbage bag to protect it. You could even see those red ties at the corners. I mentioned that in the story I wrote later that day. The next year, Trevor has the suit bag. I'm sure it wasn't because of that story though.

MM: So, having covered 29 Masters, have you actually touched the green jacket?

HR: Yes, Trevor's. And I've held the Claret Jug. And I've touched the U.S. Open trophy. I've never touched the Wanamaker Trophy, though.

MM: Is there anything at Augusta National that should be green, but isn't?

HR: Well, the clubhouse is white, but it should be white. It's the antebellum style.

BW: I can't think of anything.

HR: I can't believe they would overlook anything.

BW: But why do they have the yellow in the logo?

HR: I don't know. But I think it looks good together. It's become the classic look.

MM: Yeah, I don't think anybody's complaining at the merchandise tent.