AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Masters was among the many things that British-born writer, broadcaster and raconteur Alistair Cooke came to love about America. It was, he noted, “more like a vast Edwardian garden party than a golf tournament.” In many ways, that still holds true decades after Cooke’s passing, in the insistence on propriety, in the reverence for rules, in the expectation of orderliness, even if Augusta National’s Edwardian romanticism comes now with a conspicuous splash of Thatcherite corporatism.

Attempts to imitate The Masters generally fall short for lack of (at least) one of the important attributes evident here: exclusivity, history, affluence and influence. Each of the other three major championships can boast a couple of those, but only The Masters can claim the quadrilateral. Thus, triumphing over the smallest and arguably weakest field is still the most-prized victory in the sport. A venue visited annually lends an intimate familiarity that’s beyond the reach of other fine courses seen less frequently. Its enormous revenue is reinvested in the tournament and broader game, while untold sums are left on the table so as to preserve the right to make every decision for the right reason. On paper, it’s a golf club; in reality, it’s a shadow governing body wielding as much power as the recognized authorities.

But none of that explains why this is the best-run tournament in golf.

So why is it? Consider a couple of contributing factors. It’s the most sought-after ticket in sport, but Augusta National won’t maximize the revenue potential of larger crowds because that would dilute the experience. In an era when every sport is desperate to draw a younger, non-conventional audience, and golf obsequiously so, the Masters makes no concession to modern mores and ejects patrons at the first hint of oafishness. But the key reason why the Masters is golf’s best-run event has become nakedly apparent during this current moment in the men’s professional game: the tournament couldn’t possibly care less what its players want.

That’s not to say competitors aren’t treated with respect. They are, and former champions with outright reverence. They receive all of the customary courtesies. In addition, they’re provided the finest practice facility in the game and families are included in the par-3 contest, regardless of age or social media thirstiness. But the only thing players dictate at Augusta National is their lunch order, whereas in every other precinct, their power is increasingly evident.

The U.S. Open used to be notorious as the season’s sternest test, but years of loud locker room griping has loosened the thumbscrews. These days, the Open sequesters its competitors from interacting with spectators or media beyond the unavoidable. The most cherished metric for a successful PGA Championship is positive player feedback, as though a proficient abattoir should concern itself with the reviews of the cattle. A predictable by-product of prioritizing player comfort is making one’s major least distinguishable from week-to-week fare. And what is the PGA Tour itself if not run for the contentment of its membership? (Albeit less so now that private equity must also be nuzzled).

But players’ writ does not run when they get to Magnolia Lane.

They are expected to consent to media interviews if requested, even if they believe they don’t owe anyone a thing. They’d like their coaches inside the ropes during practice rounds, but only players and caddies cross that line from Monday morning. To whatever extent the entourage acts as a crutch, players must learn to walk alone or be wheeled back to Washington Road. Most every contestant could use many more guest passes than they’re assigned, but good luck getting them. Video from on-site — whether in service of a loyal sponsor or mere flattery by a team member — is verboten. Just ask the instructor who had his credential yanked last year.

The Masters treats players as what they are — respected performers — but they do not mistake them for the end user of the product. They aren’t why the tournament exists. The end user is the fan, whether on site or at home, and the focus on fans is apparent wherever you look.

In concession prices seemingly paused in tribute to Augusta National’s Depression-era beginnings. In ticket costs, where all four days play can be had for less than half of what you’ll spend for a single day at the Ryder Cup this year. In the digital realm, where app coverage is peerless. In the merchandise, not hawked through online retailers but sold only to those on the grounds, and at civilized prices compared to the banditry commonplace elsewhere. And particularly in the broadcast. It wasn’t too long ago that the final round telecast picked up the leaders nearing the turn because the club wanted to keep the opening holes exclusive to ticket-holders. Now it’s everything, but with minimal commercial intrusion.

The Masters has not lost sight of its most important constituency, and that isn’t the one inside the ropes. It’s the folks who pay for the pleasure and those at home who dream of being afforded the opportunity to do so. The Masters is not in the business of telling golf fans to pay more but expect less, or of excluding guys because their former colleagues are pissed that they split, or of cutting budgetary corners because the purse needs a boost to quiet a mutiny. There’s a lesson in that for every other entity in golf, if only they would heed it.

In the digital realm, where app coverage is peerless. In the merchandise, not hawked through online retailers but soldonly to those on the grounds, and at civilized prices compared to the banditry commonplace elsewhere. Andparticularly in the broadcast. It wasn’t too long ago that the final round telecast picked up the leaders nearing the turnbecause the club wanted to keep the opening holes exclusive to ticket-holders. Now it’s everything, but with minimalcommercial intrusion.The Masters has not lost sight of its most important constituency, and that isn’t the one inside the ropes. It’s the folkswho pay for the pleasure and those at home who dream of being afforded the opportunity to do so. The Masters is notin the business of telling golf fans to pay more but expect less, or of excluding guys because their former colleaguesare pissed that they split, or of cutting budgetary corners because the purse needs a boost to quiet a mutiny. There’s alesson in that for every other entity in golf, if only they would heed it.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Lynch: Why is the Masters the best golf event? One specific reason

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