Mongell has unique perspective of Masters’ ‘Amen Corner’
Major League Baseball has storied Fenway Park, Chavez Ravine (Dodger Stadium) and Wrigley Field on the ledger of iconic sporting venues.
The British Isles sport venerable St. Andrews, along with several other famed courses that host the British Open.
The United States has destination sites from coast to coast, including Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh, but arguably none is more iconic than the host of the Masters, Augusta National Golf Club.
The Masters begins play today and runs through Sunday as golfers vie for the coveted Grand Slam title and famous green jacket.
The Club’s exclusive membership includes presidents of the United States, politicians, CEOs and well-known personalities of the sports world.
The Club was founded by famed golfer Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts in 1933. The course was designed by Jones and Alister Mackenzie, and opened for play in January 1933. Augusta National was built on the site of the Fruitland Nursery across 345 acres in Augusta, Ga.
The first Masters was held in 1934 and has been held every year since, save for a three-year period (1943-45) because of World War II.
The Masters is the only one of the Grand Slam events played on the same course, year-in, year-out. The U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the British Open are hosted by a different course every year.
The course was made for television with remarkable, eye-pleasing venues throughout the grounds, most notably “Amen Corner.”
Mark Mongell has the unique perspective of someone who has both played and spectated at Augusta National. The Connellsville native and 1978 Geibel Catholic graduate is the PGA director of golf at Cherokee Town & Country Club, one of the country’s premier clubs located north of Atlanta.
“People don’t realize just how undulating the greens are, the movement in the terrain,” described Mongell, who has played the course four times. “You see what you need to do (on the course). There’s no trick to it. If you’re not in the right position to attack the pin position, you have trouble.”
The par-72 course has four par-5s.
“The risk-reward on the par-5s makes it fun. I think the course favors a right-to-left, like Lee Trevino,” said Mongell.
Recently elected to be the 23rd president of the Georgia PGA, Mongell worked at South Hills Country Club, the Pittsburgh Field Club, the Olympic Club (in San Francisco) and Wilmington (Del.) Country Club before his current position in Georgia.
“(Augusta National) is not like playing Olympic where it’s so monotonous,” explained Mongell. “The spectators can really feel momentum. That makes things happen on the back nine.”
The famous trio of holes on the back nine, Amen Corner (Nos. 11-12-13), provide, according to Mongell, “birdie opportunities. Rae’s Creek has captured a lot of golf balls.”
Mongell also spoke to the sheer visual beauty of those holes, his favorite place to go as a spectator.
“(Amen Corner) is a special, majestic view. You feel the history — Hogan, Jack and Arnie — through today,” said Mongell. “You relive the strokes on the back nine.
“It’s the only major played on the same course every year. People know it from TV. Nos. 4-5-6-7 are wonderful golf holes. The greens are so undulating.”
It’s not just walking the course and watching the play unfold that brings Mongell to the prestigious tournament.
“I enjoy going to the practice range and watch them prepare.”
Mongell has met golf greats through the years and related a story from Tom Weiskopf about Augusta National. Weiskopf finished second in the Masters a record four times (1969, 1972, 1974, 1975).
“I met Tom Weiskopf (in March). He was commentating on No. 16 in the 1986 Masters. Jack Nicklaus (who won the Masters at 46 that year to become the oldest golfer to do so) had a 6-foot curler putt. I was asked how to make the putt,” said Mongell, recalling the conversation with a chuckle. “Weiskopf answered, ‘If I knew that I would’ve won four times.'”
Though it’s his profession, Mongell is also a fan and has a favorite.
“I’m a Phil Mickelson fan. I met him at Merion last year. It gave me an insight on how he likes to prepare (for a tournament). He’s a credit to the profession,” said Mongell.