Billy Payne retiring as Masters, Augusta National chairman
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Billy Payne ruled more with an open mind than an iron fist.
As the sixth chairman of Augusta National Golf Club — and the first with no direct link to co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts — he held fast to the heritage and traditions of the club, while looking beyond Magnolia Lane at how the Masters could wield influence around the world for more than one week of the year.
Women joined Augusta National for the first time. Juniors were allowed to attend the Masters for free with an adult. Amateurs from the Asia Pacific region and throughout Latin America could dream about competing for a green jacket.
Payne announced Wednesday that he is retiring after 11 years of change that made the Augusta National logo more powerful than ever.