Azalea, the famous hole 13, a par 5 with a dog leg and with the unique stream (Rae’s Creek) meandering the left side of this Augusta National hole, is already a reality after completing its transformation and its “redesign”.
This is the great novelty of the 87th edition of the Augusta Masters, first Grand Slam 2023.
Masters, hole 13
In one of the most iconic corners of the field, its appearance has changed after the decision of those responsible for the club to make changes to this part of the route.
The hole, with only 510 yards (466 meters) in length, the great hitters of the circuit had found the formula to easily overcome the ‘dog leg’ and take their ball with a single stroke to an area where they could look for the green two with an 8, 9 iron or even the pitching wedge.
Even players who did not go that far from the tee could enjoy comfortable shots with their irons in search of the eagle, which in the case of the final day on Sunday could be decisive. But this, from this week, is going to be very complicated.
Augusta National’s idea was to delay the tee off of the hole by eating up ground on the adjacent golf course. No sooner said than done. Thus, some 50 yards (46 meters) have been gained in an area that was part of the 9th hole fairway of the Augusta Country Club, a neighboring course to the Masters headquarters.
Augusta National acquired that land to grow. It will be for money. In 2002, this same hole was modified, moving its tee back some 25 yards (23 meters). After Augusta National closed the course in May 2022, as every year due to heat and also maintenance, work began on the 13th hole, which was the third easiest in the last edition of the Masters.
Aerial photos in June showed trees being felled and irrigation ditches being dug, apparently in preparation for the installation of a new tee. According to the Golf.com website, where they have analyzed these changes, the 13th hole could now measure 550 yards (503 meters).
That is, with a drive of 300 yards (274 meters) from the new tee, it may not be enough to get the ball in a position with a direct angle to the green. This is the big change therefore for this 87 Masters. After the adjustments in holes 11 and 15 for the 2022 edition, the 2023 edition will have another novelty.
The Eureka Earth account published a photograph of a drone in which the reviewed works can be seen. The Augusta National does not give previous details of this type of action but the images speak for themselves and the events this week too.
