Skyhorse Making the Masters: Bobby Jones and the Birth of America's Greatest Golf Tournament

Origins and inspiration behind the Masters

The fascinating true story behind Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters unfolds in the 1930s, guided by Bobby Jones, the living legend, and his trusted partner Clifford Roberts. The narrative blends sport history with the era's social and economic texture.

What you will gain

• Insight into the collaboration between Jones and Roberts and how a vision became a global tournament.
• Vivid portraits of the first Masters contests, including the dramatic 1935 victory by Gene Sarazen.
• Context about 1930s America and how golf intersected with culture and business.

Why this book resonates

Barrett crafts an accessible, engaging account that invites golf history fans and curious readers to imagine the effort and ambition behind launching a course, a club, and a competition that would captivate audiences for decades.

From course to cultural icon

The Masters is portrayed not just as a tournament but as a living institution. The book highlights design choices, behind the scenes decisions, and the enduring appeal that keeps the event at the center of sporting conversations each spring.

Key moments and people

• Origins of Augusta National and the Masters as ideas becoming reality.
• Profiles of the central figures and the roles they played.
• Climactic moments from 1934 and 1935 that shaped the event’s future.

Whether you are a golf enthusiast, a student of American history, or a collector of sports lore, this book offers a thoughtful, well-researched lens into the birth of a global icon. It presents a careful balance of factual detail and narrative drive, inviting readers to explore a pivotal chapter in golf history.