Back in the day, Lee Trevino learned the hard way about getting on the wrong side of the Augusta National hierarchy.
The Masters was the only major that Lee Trevino failed to win, and it certainly didn’t help that he boycotted playing at Augusta National for three years in the early 1970s.
Trevino chose not to play at Augusta National in 1970, 1971 and 1974 due to his well-documented fall-out with Cliff Roberts – the chairman of Augusta at the time.
The now 86-year-old won every other major aside from The Masters twice.
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He also won 92 professional tournaments worldwide including 29 PGA Tour events.
Trevino was obviously an incredibly gifted golfer but he was just as well known for his humorous, outgoing nature on the golf course and his uncompromising attitude off it.
Lee Trevino blasted modern-day players for not challenging one Augusta National rule
The man from Garland, Texas, has never been one to keep quiet when he doesn’t agree with something, whatever that may be.
The fact that he boycotted playing in The Masters for three years in the 1970s proves that he is a man with principles.
The six-time major champion believes there are not enough players on Tour these days who think like him.
Trevino shared his belief that modern-day players are too scared to question one specific rule at Augusta National, when speaking to Golfweek back in 2016.
“If you go there (to the Masters) now and try to use a cellphone they will kick you out, even if you are using it in the parking lot or on the driving range,“ Trevino said.
“The players can’t even use them on the driving range. Have you heard one of them complain yet? No, because they are gutless.
“If they went to the U.S. Open and the U.S. Open told them they couldn’t use their cellphones on the driving range they would raise all kinds of hell. They’re scared to death.”
It is interesting that the Augusta National hierarchy haven’t changed their stance on cell phones, given the prominence of mobile telephones in society these days.
In a way, though, Augusta’s refusal to deviate from their traditions is part of the golf course’s allure.
Some of Augusta National’s weird and wacky rules
Aside from the ‘no cell phones allowed policy’, Augusta have plenty more weird and wacky rules.
Spectators are strictly prohibited from sitting down on the grass, while absolutely no running is allowed on the Augusta National property.
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Players competing in The Masters, as well as commentators, also have to abide by strict policies.
Frank Stranahan was kicked out of The Masters in 1949 after he played more than one ball during his practice round.
Then there was the story of CBS broadcaster Gary McCord getting banned for life from Augusta after, during commentary, he said: “I don’t think they mow these greens, I think they bikini wax them.“
It was taken in the light-hearted manner that it was meant at the time but after a letter of complaint from Tom Watson, Augusta made the call to ban McCord for life.
The moral of the story is, fall foul of Augusta National’s rules at your peril.
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