As is well known, membership at Augusta National, home of the Masters, is a very well-kept secret. It usually has around 300 members, approximately, but there is no application process. To become a member of the world’s most famous golf course, which hosts the first major of the season each year, an invitation is required.
The amount required to be paid if granted this privilege is estimated to range between $100,000 and $300,000, with annual fees between $30,000 and $50,000. In other words, being able to wear one of its famous Green Jackets is not within everyone’s reach. Some of its most famous members are billionaire businessmen Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Dirk Ziff, and Stanley Druckenmiller, as well as Pete Coors, former chairman of the Coors brewing empire, and Hugh McColl, former CEO of Bank of America.
In 2012, former United States Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and businesswoman Darla Moore became the first women admitted as members of Augusta National. Among the former members is, for example, the 34th US president, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The champions of the Masters are honorary members, with the exception of Jack Nicklaus, who is a full member.
Other members linked to sports include LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam and NFL superstar Peyton Manning. And it seems there will be another Manning wearing the Green Jacket from next year, Eli, Peyton’s brother, who tops the list of members for 2025. According to the Sports Business Journal, Manning will be joined by former CBS Sports president Sean McManus, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian.
The 43-year-old player, like his older brother, is a two-time Superbowl champion and was awarded the MVP in both games. Manning, who spent his entire career with the New York Giants, is also a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025. If inducted, he will receive the coveted gold jacket. We’ll have to see if he has room in his wardrobe for so many new jackets…
