The champion of the Masters Tournament famously receives the iconic Green Jacket, but they also get to take home a beautiful piece of hardware called the Masters Trophy. This stunning award is a detailed sterling silver replica of the Augusta National Golf Club's clubhouse. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about the Masters Trophy, from its intricate design to the other incredible awards players can win during that special week in April.
While the Green Jacket gets most of the television time, the Masters Trophy is a work of art in its own right. First introduced in 1961, the trophy is a magnificent, handcrafted sterling silver rendering of the famous Augusta National clubhouse. The level of detail is something to see, it captures the building's signature columned veranda, its iconic cupola on the roof, and even the surrounding landscaping, all rendered in polished silver.
The main, permanent trophy is quite substantial, weighing approximately 100 pounds and resting on a large pedestal. The winner, however, receives a smaller, personal replica to keep forever. This player's trophy still weighs a solid 25-30 pounds and is mounted on a silver base. Engraved on bands around the trophy base are the names of the year's winner and runner-up, immortalizing their accomplishment from that tournament. Seeing your name etched onto that silver alongside some of the game’s greatest legends has to be an unbelievable feeling.
Unlike the Green Jacket, which a winner can only take home for a year, the sterling silver Masters Trophy is theirs to keep permanently. It’s a physical, lasting symbol of their victory at one of golf's most revered events.
When you see the champion beaming on television, they are being presented with their personal, take-home replica of the Masters Trophy. But there is another, much larger version that lives at Augusta National year-round. Understanding the difference between the two is a nice bit of Masters lore.
The original, and much larger, version of the trophy was first commissioned by Augusta National in 1961. This grand trophy stays on the club grounds permanently and is displayed for members and guests to see inside the clubhouse. It rests on a massive pedestal with silver bands that feature the engraved names of every single Masters winner and runner-up since the tournament's inception in 1934. Each year, a new band is added with the names from the most recent tournament. It serves as a continuous, living history of the championship, connecting generations of champions in one place.
For decades, the only trophy was the big one that stayed at the club. Players saw it and perhaps posed with it, but they didn't get one of their own. That changed in 1993. Recognizing the desire for players to have a permanent keepsake of their victory, the club began the tradition of awarding a sterling silver replica of the clubhouse to the winner to take home. This is the trophy we see players like Scottie Scheffler or Jon Rahm clutching after their wins.
This gesture adds a significant personal element to the victory. While the Green Jacket represents entry into one of the most exclusive clubs in sports, having the physical clubhouse replica sitting on your mantlepiece for the rest of your life is a constant, tangible reminder of the week you conquered Augusta National.
One of the things that makes the Masters special is its deep sense of tradition and its appreciation for fine play beyond just crowning a champion. To that end, Augusta National awards a variety of smaller, yet highly prestigious, awards for specific achievements throughout the week. For a player, earning one of these is a badge of honor that recognizes a moment of brilliance.
Along with the trophy and jacket, the winner of the Masters receives a Gold Medal. It's about 3.4 inches in diameter and features a detailed depiction of the clubhouse on its face. It’s another beautiful and traditional acknowledgment of their victory.
The runner-up is also honored for their excellent play. They receive a Silver Medal of the a similar design to the gold one, as well as a large, round silver plate known as a Silver Salver. Although finishing second can be heartbreaking, receiving these incredible mementos is a formal recognition of a world-class performance.
Given that club co-founder Bobby Jones remained a career amateur legend, it’s no surprise that the Masters pays special respect to the amateur players in the field. The low amateur who successfully makes the 36-hole cut is honored in the Butler Cabin ceremony alongside the champion and receives the Silver Cup. This tradition connects the tournament back to its roots and is often an incredible launching pad Afor a young player's career. If there is a runner-up amateur who also makes the cut, they are awarded a silver medal.
This is where things get really cool for players. Augusta National rewards spectacular single shots and daily performances with beautiful custom crystal. These pieces are highly prized by the pros. Here’s how it breaks down:
Players often give these crystal awards to their caddies, parents, or coaches as a thank you for their support, making them powerful symbols of a shared accomplishment.
Of course, no discussion of Masters awards is complete without talking about the Green Jacket. Even though the question is about the trophy, the jacket is without argue the most famous prize in all of golf. Members of Augusta National began wearing the jackets in 1937 to make themselves stand out to patrons who might have questions. The tradition of awarding one to the champion began in 1949 with Sam Snead's victory.
It's made of a distinct rye green wool and bears the Augusta National logo on the left breast pocket. The ceremony where the previous year's winner helps the new champion put on the jacket is one of the most enduring images in sports. It is a symbol of entry into an ultra-exclusive club of champions.
The "one-year rule" is what truly sets it apart. The champion gets to take their jacket off the club grounds for the first year after their victory - a sort of victory lap. After that year, the jacket must be returned to Augusta National, where it is stored in a special champions' locker room. From then on, the player can only wear their jacket when they are on the club's grounds. This rule adds to the garment's mystique and transforms it from a simple prize into a sacred piece of golf history, forever tied to its home at Augusta.
So, while the legendary Green Jacket may be the prize every golfer dreams of, the official Masters Trophy is a stunning and permanent work of art awarded to the champion. Together with the gold medal, the crystal for exceptional shots, and the honors for amateurs, the awards at the Masters paint a complete picture of tradition and a deep respect for outstanding play.
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