AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta National Golf Club’s new Player Services Building was easily the most talked-about new piece of construction for this year’s Masters Tournament. But there was another new build that a small handful of industry executives were buzzing about on Wednesday: The “Governors Lodge.”
The venue, situated along the left side of the 10th hole, is a towering, multiroom facility that was constructed since last year’s Masters. It’s not in use this week. On Wednesday afternoon, there were no patrons or security near the venue. Despite being newly constructed, and similar to the Player Services Building, Governors Lodge appears to have been in place for years.
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It’s not clear how many rooms are in Governors Lodge; Augusta National declined to comment for this story. But multiple sources suggested the space has at least 20 rooms for overnight stays, and that it could be used for ANGC’s annual member-member Jamboree, which is held every spring.
It’s not clear if it will be used during future Masters tournaments. A plaque on the outside of the venue suggests it is inspired by ANGC founders Bobby Jones’ and Clifford Roberts’ idea for a venue that “serves members who visit Augusta National during member parties.”
That plaque gives an idea of what lies inside. It notes that Jones and Roberts envisioned a “lodge of simple design that would not overshadow the clubhouse.” It was originally presented to be constructed on the South side of the clubhouse and include a “large community room with the rest of the building being devoted to suites, single and double rooms.”
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Governors Lodge is situated along the left side of the 10th hole between the club’s various hospitality cabins, though it’s almost entirely hidden by the tall loblolly pines from the players’ side. It’s more visible along a paved road that lines the Par 3 course to the Southeast. A concrete pathway winds through pink azaleas, magnolias and Japanese maples before leading to the facility, which features a covered porch with lounge chairs and ceiling fans just outside the entryway.
Wooden French doors open to the venue, which is at least two stories tall. The building follows the same white color palette as Augusta National’s other on-site cabins and clubhouse.
The Governors Lodge was originally presented in 1937 but not built due to financial constraints. It was again proposed to members in 1940 but wasn’t started due to the onset of World War II.
With the construction of the Player Services Building, Augusta Chairman Fred Ridley was asked on Wednesday about the possibility of providing player housing in the future.
“I think we would look at housing for our tournament workforce or parts of our tournament workforce before we’d look at housing for players,” Ridley said.
The plaque just outside the Governors Lodge doors reads in full:
“In the early days of Augusta National, Bobby Jones and Clifford Robert envisioned a ‘lodge of simple design that would not overshadow the clubhouse.’
Originally to be constructed on the South side of the clubhouse, the lodge would include a large community room with the rest of the building being devoted to suites, single and double rooms.
First proposed to members in 1937, the lodge was not built due to financial constraints. In 1940, the lodge was presented to members again, but with the onset of World War II, the additional sleeping quarters were never constructed.
The Governors Lodge is inspired by Roberts’ and Jones’ original idea and serves members who visit Augusta National during member parties."
