The Symbol of the Masters, the 'Green Jacket'... 'What Is Its Cost?'

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Australian Wool Material Price is $250 'Affordable'

"$250 (approximately 320,000 KRW)."

This is the cost price of the iconic "Green Jacket" symbolizing the "Masters," which embarks on its grand journey at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA, on the 6th (local time). Since 1967, the Green Jacket has been exclusively supplied by a company called Hamilton Tailoring in Ohio, USA. The design remains the same as the old style with three buttons. Several jackets are prepared in advance to fit the body types of players in contention right after the 3rd round, and they are first sent to the final 4th round awards ceremony. Later, precise measurements are taken again to complete the tailored jacket. Made from Australian wool, the cost price is only $250.

Scotty Scheffler is seen wearing the "Green Jacket" immediately after winning the Masters last year.

The "Golf Saint" Bobby Jones (USA) was inspired by the red jackets of captains when he visited Royal Liverpool in England and first created the jacket for Augusta National members in 1937. Members keep them in lockers and wear them only at the golf course. Initially, it was used to distinguish between the organizers and the gallery. It first appeared during Sam Snead's (USA) 1949 victory, and jackets were sent to champions before 1948 for collection. Since then, a unique tradition has developed where the previous year's champion presents the jacket.

Jack Nicklaus (USA) wore it alone after achieving back-to-back wins in 1966. He owns six jackets from his wins in 1963, 1965-1966 (back-to-back), 1972, 1975, and 1986. The "Golf Emperor" Tiger Woods (USA) reached his 5-win milestone in 2019. During the back-to-back wins of Nick Faldo (England, 1989-1990) and Woods (2001-2002), the Augusta National chairman assisted. Champions keep the jacket for one year and then return it the following year to be permanently displayed in the "Champions Locker Room."

There are special guidelines regarding the Green Jacket. The request is "Please avoid wearing it in crowded places such as restaurants and movie theaters." However, players freely enjoy wearing the Green Jacket while going around various places. In 2010, champion Phil Mickelson visited a donut shop; in 2014, Bubba Watson went to a waffle shop; and in 2018, Patrick Reed (all USA) stopped by a fast-food restaurant in 2019 to order a hamburger, which became a hot topic.

Although the cost price of the Green Jacket is inexpensive, its auction price is beyond imagination. The highest auction price recorded was $682,000 (approximately 890 million KRW). It belonged to Horton Smith (USA), the inaugural champion in 1934. He was a "golf legend" who won his second championship immediately in 1936, two years later. The jacket disappeared for decades and reappeared with a story of being kept in a relative's closet. Since 1993, a clubhouse-shaped trophy has been given upon the champion's request. The trophy of Arnold Palmer (USA), who passed away in September 2016, was sold for $444,000 (approximately 580 million KRW).