Minority Golf Magazine at the Masters 1996
By Herschel Caldwell
That’s how “reverent” Augusta National feels during its most famous week in the year. Once you enter the gates and pass through well-maintained concession areas, the world opens up to a rolling ocean of the greenest grass. Colorful azaleas adorn the entire course. The sky has never been so blue. Even the birds, like a chancel choir, sing in harmony.
And there are thousands of people, all obviously taken in by beauty and majesty. No one talks in loud tones. Without a doubt, each spectator is fully conscious of the fact that he/she is among the privileged “few” to attend THE MASTERS.
The story of MASTERS ’96 is now history. The news media covered Nick Faldo’s five stroke win and Greg Norman’s 
disastrous final round. Sports writers and golf magazines (ours included) crowded into the interview room to get a glimpse of Tiger Woods and hear the fine young player field questions about his game, his future and his intentions. Tiger Wood’s 1997 victory and his dominance of the PGA tour through the years is well documented and we will reflect of Tiger Woods’ accomplishments in later articles this week.
Our story took a different twist. We looked beyond the tournament’s superstar winners and losers who have mastered the game and become legends, to those behind-the-scenes legends who have made it possible for others to live out their dream. From the press room, to the clubhouse, to the kitchen and the “caddy shack”, we found hardworking men and women who in their own way contribute “super” efforts towards keeping the “Grandaddy of Them All” the most prestigious tournament of the year.
Twenty-one years ago Minority Golf Magazine applied for Press Credentials to cover the Masters Tournament. We 
deemed coverage of that event was absolutely essential because of the emergence of Tiger Woods on the PGA professional tour.
Upon making an initial request of Augusta National Golf Club for press credentials, we were firmly (though very nicely) told that (1) press credentials for the Masters were “impossible” to obtain; and (2) because of “world-wide media interest”, credentials would be limited to media with long-standing reputations for golf coverage. Minority Golf Magazine did not qualify on either point. However, after reviewing our quality and content, we were offered full press credentials and became the first and only golf publication of color granted full press access.
The unique perspective offered by the writers of Minority Golf Magazine has earned this publication full press credentials through the years.