Old trees restored at Augusta National plus a brand-new one - Martin Dempster's Masters diary

Scotsman golf correspodent Martin Dempster brings you his latest Masters Diary from Augusta National...

Tree cheers for the restoration work!

They’ve been replanting some trees at Augusta National that were brought down when Hurricane Helene hit the course in September 2024.

Three at the back of the green at the par-4 11th are back in place, much to the delight of three-time runner-up Justin Rose.

Trees at the back of the 11th green that were brought down by Hurricane Helene have been restored at Augusta National | Getty Images

“That’s nice those are back this year,” declared the Englishman. “The cricket stumps, I call them, because that was my target there into 11.”

A new tree has also been put in fairly close to the tee on the left of the fairway at the par-5 second, making it more difficult for players who hit a big fade with that drive.

Scottish success already in Augusta area

As Bob MacIntyre bids to emulate 1988 winner Sandy Lyle by claiming a Green Jacket, there’s already been a Scottish golfing success in the Augusta area over the past few days.

Niall Shiels Donegan, who was one of three Scots in last year’s GB&I Walker Cup team, helped North Carolina win the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational at Forest Hills, which is about three miles from Augusta National Golf Club.

California-based Shiels Donegan finished joint-third in the individual event after a closing 65, which came on the back of a last-round 62 that included eight straight birdies in the Valspar Collegiate Invitational in Florida last month.

New player facility hailed as ‘world class’

The Green Jackets don’t do half measures when it comes to improving the facilities at Augusta National.

A new Press Building, which is some place, was opened for the 2016 event and now a Players Services Building has been added for the event’s 90th edition.

“It’s world class, just like what we’ve come to expect of Augusta National,” declared 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith.

“It’s pretty spectacular. The locker room is great. The dining room is great. The gym is great. There’s no flaws. Everyone is really happy with it.”

Apart, that is, from those who aren’t allowed in it, including agents and managers!

Patrick Reed is golf’s true ‘worldwide player’

Former winner Patrick Reed has probably played golf in more countries around the world than any other player in the field this week.

Just since 2022, the American has teed it up in 27 different countries on either the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour and the LIV Golf League.

“You just made me feel really tired telling me how much I've travelled,” he said, laughing, to the journalist who’d taken the time to come up with that fact.

Proud of being a true worldwide player, the 2018 champion embraces the countries he visits, adding: “I like to really dive in and experience the cultures, different cuisines, different areas, different places.”