Inside Augusta's Masters secrets including gran of PGA ace who refuses to move

It's probably the most famous golf course in the world, but even Augusta National has a secret side that very few people know about. From why the grass is so green to a grumpy resident who refused to move out of the Augusta grounds (and just so happens to be the grandmother of one PGA ace), there are plenty of untold tales about the iconic course.

Trick behind the verdant green grass

One of the most striking sights when watching the is the verdant green grass. The lucid greenery leaps through the television screen, and for those lucky enough to visit Augusta National - or even play on it - the grass is described as some of the greenest in the sporting world.

The secret behind it? Bermuda grass tees and fairways are overseeded with perennial ryegrass for the greenest of green looks in the tournament. Just what you thought, ey?

Angry gran refuses to move out of house

When the Augusta National chiefs were looking to expand their car parking options, the club spent a reported £155million ($200m) buying homes in an area just outside the course, but were met with one refusal. That came from the owners of 1112 Stanley Drive, Elizabeth and Herman Thacker, who were not for budging when Augusta National came with cash in hand.

The couple had built the house themselves back in the 1950s, and despite tax increases in the area, the pair refused to move. While Herman passed away in 2019, Elizabeth has remained steadfast about her refusal and is even the grandmother of PGA player Scott Brown, who, rather ironically, has never featured as a player at the Masters.

£108m practice facilities

Only the best for the best, right? Well, they are the Masters, after all. Which is part of the reason why Augusta have splashed over £100m ($140m) on upgrading the practice facilities so they're among some of the best in the world.

On the grounds of an old car park (no issues with moving grumpy residents this time), the 18-acre practice facilities were opened in 2010. They're designed by legendary golf course architect, Tom Fazio, and are strictly reserved for players competing in the Masters, Women's Amateur or Drive, Chip & Putt Contest.

Hidden green not even players can use

There are some spots at Augusta National that aren't open to competing players, though. Chief amongst them is a hidden practice green only . As per , even professional golfers will struggle to gain access to this hidden gem, which is located parallel to the 10th fairway.

Augusta pond the sight of co-founder's death

Clifford Roberts' fingerprints are all over Augusta National, but the co-founder's connection to the course is much deeper than many think. A year after stepping down as chairman, Roberts, who had been struggling with ill-health, took his own life with a revolver on the banks of Ike's Pond at the course. A bronze plaque was later unveiled to commemorate Roberts' life at the entrance to Augusta National.