Augusta National Par 3 course
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Augusta National Par 3 course
Designed around DeSoto Springs and Ike's ponds, Augusta National's Par 3 Course is the place to be the day before the Masters. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National Par 3 course - Faldo
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Augusta National Par 3 course - Faldo
Three-time winner Nick Faldo tees off on the second hole of Augusta National's Par 3 Course. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National Par 3 course - Nicklaus
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Augusta National Par 3 course - Nicklaus
From across Ike's Pond, Jack Nicklaus tees off on the ninth hole of the Par 3 Course at Augusta National. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National Par 3 course - scoreboard
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Augusta National Par 3 course - scoreboard
The 2014 Par 3 scoreboard at Augusta National shows there were three aces. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National Par 3 course - O'Meara
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Augusta National Par 3 course - O'Meara
Mark O'Meara recorded one of the aces at the 2014 Par 3 contest at Augusta National. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National Par 3 course - Matt Jones
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Augusta National Par 3 course - Matt Jones
Matt Jones got into the 2014 Masters and Par 3 contest at Augusta National by virtue of his PGA Tour win the week before in Houston. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National Par 3 course - No. 7
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Augusta National Par 3 course - No. 7
The galleries on the Par 3 Course are almost as impressive as they are later in the week on the big course at Augusta National Golf Club. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National Par 3 course - Player
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Augusta National Par 3 course - Player
Gary Player shows he still has game by birdieing the ninth in the 2014 Masters Par 3 contest. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National Par 3 course - Leishman
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Augusta National Par 3 course - Leishman
Australian Marc Leishman, like many, made the Par 3 Contest at Augusta National a family affair. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National Par 3 course - Els
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Augusta National Par 3 course - Els
South African Ernie Els celebrates a birdie putt on the second hole of Augusta National's Par 3 Course. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
10 Images

Augusta National's other golf tournament: The Par 3 contest before the 2014 Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- The Par 3 contest at Augusta National the day before the Masters has become a major attraction in recent years. The brainchild of former tournament chairman Clifford Roberts, the course opened in 1958 (two Tom Fazio holes were added later) and hosts a tournament that's open to older and younger players alike, including some special guests of Augusta National.

For the patrons it's especially enjoyable because they are allowed to take pictures, get autographs and see the players at their most relaxed. Many of them bring their kids and have their wives or other family members or friends caddie for them.

Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.
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Augusta National's other golf tournament: The Par 3 contest before the 2014 Masters