The Masters was started by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones, who designed Augusta National with legendary course architect Alister MacKenzie but at first one of the world's most famous and beautiful golf courses was nothing more than 365 acres of simple farming land. Due to the foresight of Bob Jones and Clifford Roberts, Fruitlands Nurseries, purchased the land for $70,000 in 1931 and this is now home to the Augusta National Golf Course. After the course was completed, both men came up with the idea of organizing an annual tournament drawing all the best players from across the world. For the first five years of the tournament, it was called the Augusta National International Tournament but in 1939, it's name changed to The Masters.

In line with the other majors, winning the Masters gives a golfer several privileges which make his career more secure. Masters champions are automatically invited to play in the other three majors (the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship) for the next five years, and earn a lifetime invitation to the Masters. They also receive membership on the PGA Tour for the following five seasons and invitations to The Players Championship for five years. In 2006 the prize fund was US$7 million.

European players collected eleven victories in twenty years in the 1980s and 1990s, by far the strongest streak they have had in any of the three majors played in the United States since the early days of the U.S Open. Jack Nicklaus became the oldest player to win the Masters in 1986 when he won for the sixth time at age 46. In 1997 headlines were made around the world when Tiger Woods won the Masters by twelve shots at age twenty-one. Jose Maria Olazabel was the last European to with the Masters in 1999.

Like many other courses Augusta National's championship set up has been lengthened in recent years. In 1998 it measured approximately 6,925 yards from the Master's tees but in 2006 it was almost 500 yards longer at 7,445 yards. As well as the course being extended, the teeing positions have been altered. Some experts predict that Augusta may now play as many as three shots more following the changes, which would be approved by Jones and Roberts as they set out to challenge the best players in the game of golf.

YourGolfBreaks.com offers a variety of packages to the US Masters with the most cost effective way of viewing the US Masters is our Ticket and Hospitality packages. These packages include US Masters Badges and full use of our hospitality facility but do not include any accommodation. Please view our options to the Masters and call our specialist consultants for more information.

The Ryder Cup epitomises the greatest traditions of international sporting competition as one of the last great sporting events founded on prestige rather than prize money. Every two years the leading players from Europe and the United States entertain thousands of spectators on the course and thousands more on television across the world as they do battle for the Ryder Cup.

In 2004 Europe retained the Ryder Cup after sensational three days golf, where every Member of Bernhard Langer's team played their part. The 2004 Ryder Cup was played at Oakland Hills Country Club and Europe recorded a record 18.5 - 9.5 winning margin with, perhaps fittingly, the recognised on-course leader Colin Montgomerie providing the winning point amidst emotion-packed scenes around the 18th green

In 2006 Europe retained the Ryder Cup again at the K Club with another resounding victory and an emphatic statement about the high quality of golf on The European Tour. Inspired by Captain Ian Woosnam and with two commanding on-course leaders in Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie, Europe dominated the USA from the first drive on Friday morning to Lee Westwood's final long iron onto the 18th green in the late afternoon sunshine on Sunday.

Each one of the 12 European players contributed to the points tally during the first two days of fourballs and foursomes, and when it came to the singles on Sunday, they expressed their authority on the match to win the session by 8½ points to 3½. However along the way there was enough drama to keep Hollywood in business for years.

The 2008 Ryder Cup will take place at the Valhalla Country Club, in beautiful Louisville, Kentucky and whilst the result will be as unpredictable as ever, two things are certain - you and your guests will witness the most thrilling contest in golf and you will be greeted with the very warmest of welcomes.

YourGolfBreaks.com is offering official Ryder Cup Ltd golf hospitality and ticket inclusive packages to the 2008 at Valhalla from 1st February 2007 and looks forward to providing you with tailored packages and great service to one of the ultimate team sporting event experiences.

The 137th Open Golf Championship will run from 17th-20th July and will be the event's ninth visit to the Lancashire links. This challenging links course has been the venue of two Ryder Cups, the Walker Cup and the Curtis Cup but so far is the only course in the Open's rotation that has yet to produce a champion from the United Kingdom.

Previous winners of the ancient claret jug at Royal Birkdale include Ian Baker-Finch, Arnold Palmer & Johnny Miller but most will remember Royal Birkdale as being the venue where Tom Watson & Peter Thomson both won the last of their five titles, the only players to achieve five wins in the modern era. Thomson going one better by also winning his first title at Royal Birkdale at the start of a dominant 11 year spell.

The 1998 championship is best remembered for the emergence of a certain 17-year old amateur player Justin Rose, who scored a record 66 in the second round, matching the lowest amateur round score ever in The Open. By the last day Rose had become the crowds favourite and finished the Championship in a tie for fourth place, his best ever finish in the Open to date.

If this year's Open has anywhere near the excitement as 2007 or the weather of 1998 then it will be a fantastic sporting occasion. The YourGolfBreaks.com team looks forward to seeing you up at Royal Birkdale and let's hope that the course can finally produce a winner from the UK.

In 1995, for the first time in the history of this sacred of all golf courses, The St. Andrews Links Trust decided to introduce guaranteed commercial tee-off times on the Old Course for corporate UK and overseas clients who wish to Play St Andrews.

For the spring and summer golfing season we are offering clients the opportunity to visit and play St Andrews on a series of golf days, including an afternoon round on the New / Jubilee Championship Course, overnight accommodation and a guaranteed morning round on the Old Course.