At the attic of the plantation-style clubhouse at Augusta National are living quarters reserved for amateurs in the Masters.
The 30-by-40-foot room provides living space for up to five amateurs playing in the tournament, each partitioned-off from the common living room, and featuring an 11-foot, square cupola with windows on each side, the lofty tip reachable only by ladder. There’s one shower and two sinks. Each room has a small dish with toiletries.
Tiger Woods bunked there in ’95 and ’96. Jack Nicklaus stayed there in 1959 and discovered it wasn’t an all-you-can-eat operation.
“Phil Rodgers and I ate two steaks apiece,” says Nicklaus, “and the guy running the dining room says, `That’s enough. From now on out you’re paying $2 for every steak you eat.’ ”
The term ‘Crow’s Nest’ comes from the crow’s nest of a ship, which is its highest look-out point. The four bedrooms are accessible via a back staircase so players don’t have to come through the clubhouse to get to their room. A steep and narrow set of stairs on the third floor in a small hallway between the Champions Locker Room and Dining Room also provides access to the amateur lodgings.
During Phil Mickelson’s stay, he slipped down the back staircase at night to steal a look at the champions locker room.
The common area has green carpet, chairs, a couch, a card table, a small TV and Wifi. The walls are decorated with various scenes from past Masters, including a framed caricature of Clifford Roberts, one of the club’s founding fathers and the Masters.
The accommodations are spartan but it is an honor bestowed to the few, the proud. Would pros want to stay there if they could? Here are their answers.
Keegan Bradley
“Yeah, for sure. I’m jealous of the camaraderie that those amateurs who’ve stayed there have.”
Corey Conners
“I did. The insulation wasn’t that good between the rooms, but it was awesome.”
Harris English
“Yes. It’s such a cool thing for the amateur champions and something I wish I could’ve done. I’ve never been up there to see it but I’d love to go up there sometime.”
Tony Finau
“No. It’s kind of small. I’ve been in there and it felt a little claustrophobic. I know the history of it but it’s good enough for me to have been in it.”
Matt Fitzpatrick
“It was pretty cool apart from the light being on all night.”
Tommy Fleetwood
“Yeah, I would like to experience that, why not.”
Jim Furyk
“Yes. I’ve never been up there. If you got the opportunity as an amateur you ought to.”
Billy Horschel
“Yes. It would be an honor. I hear it’s not that glamorous but to be able to say I spent a night there would be pretty special.”
Zach Johnson
“No. I like my space. I don’t want to stink up the room, and I tend to stink at night.”
Kevin Kisner
“No, too small. Plus I get to sleep in my own bed at home that week.”
Matt Kuchar
“For sure. I got to stay there twice (as U.S. Amateur champ) and spent six-seven nights there. Still love the concept, the idea of it, still feel like I’m a college kid and I’d do it again.”
Collin Morikawa
“No. It’s something that you have to earn; it’s really designed for an amateur and I’m past that. It’s sacred for a reason.”
Jack Nicklaus
“If I could go back and start my career over again, that would be great.”
Gary Player
“I’m not sure I would really want to stay in the Crow’s Nest at this point in my life. I’d rather see the past champions be allowed to bring their friends once a year to play than spend the night on their property.”
Xander Schauffele
“Maybe one night to check it out.”
Kevin Streelman
“No, I would’ve 10 years ago. I’m too much of a snob now.”
Justin Thomas
“Now? Yeah, you feel like you’d have to do it if you get a chance.”
Gary Woodland
“Probably not. Too much noise from what I’ve heard, and I like my space.”
