Six fun facts about the green jacket at Augusta National

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The green jacket is the ultimate symbol of success in golf.

A golfer wearing the single-breasted, single-vent garment has achieved something special: a victory at the Masters Tournament.

Augusta National Golf Club members began wearing the jackets in 1937. The idea was to have them be easily identifiable so they could answer questions from patrons.

Brooks Uniform Co. in New York made the original jackets, which featured heavy wool material. Those soon gave way to a lightweight version that could be custom-ordered from the club’s pro shop.

Here’s what to know about the Masters green jacket:

Do Masters champions keep the green jacket?

The green jacket is reserved for Augusta National members and golfers who win the Masters. Jackets are kept on club grounds, and taking them off the premises is forbidden.

The exception is for the winner, who can take it home and return it to the club the following year.

Gary Player reportedly got into a heated exchange in 1962 with Cliff Roberts after he mistakenly took his jacket home to South Africa.

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“I didn’t know you were supposed to leave it there,” Player said. “Next thing you know, there was a call from Mr. Roberts.”

According to Player, here’s how the exchange went:

“‘Gary, have you got the jacket?’

“I said, ‘Yes, I do.’

“He said, ‘Well, no one ever takes the jacket away from here.’

“And I said, ‘Well, Mr. Roberts, if you want it, why don’t you come and fetch it?’”

Roberts, who didn’t lose many arguments, agreed to a compromise.

“He kind of chuckled and said don’t wear it in public,” Player said.

So, you can’t take it with you?

Champions can for a year – and some jackets from former members have come up for auction in recent years. And the Augusta National has filed suit to keep jackets off the auction block.

But the ultimate taking it with you story belongs to the 1970 Masters champion. Billy Casper never lost his appreciation for the Masters Tournament and Augusta National Golf Club.

The 1970 champion was buried in his green jacket. His wife, Shirley, asked for and received permission from Augusta National.

How it started

Augusta National members began wearing the jackets in 1937.

The original purpose of the…