The year was 1958.
It was a momentous one for Augusta National Golf Course. The now-iconic bridges that span Rae's Creek were dedicated in honor of Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. And, a young pro by the name of Arnold Palmer took home his first Masters win. He would go on to win the tournament three more times in 1960, 1962, and 1964.
As if that isn't enough, 1958 was also the year Amen Corner was born.
Although the holes themselves -- Numbers 11, 12 and 13 -- had existed for 25 years, Sports Illustrated golf writer Herbert Warren Wind coined their famous nickname the year Palmer first won a green jacket.
Wind's full article can be read here, but it bears sharing his transformative opening paragraph here:
On the afternoon before the start of the recent Masters golf tournament, a wonderfully evocative ceremony [the dedication of the bridges] took place at the farthest reach of the Augusta National course—down in the Amen Corner where Rae's Creek intersects the 13th fairway near the tee, then parallels the front edge of the green on the short 12th and finally swirls alongside the 11th green.
Wind, who was also an avid jazz fan, appropriated the term from the jazz recording "Shoutin' in That Amen Corner."
As for Palmer's connection to Amen Corner that year, he played two balls on the 12th hole amid a rules controversy and made eagle on the 13th during the final round. This allowed 28-year-old Palmer to claim a one-shot victory over Doug Ford and Fred Hawkins.
There's no one better to inspire our final Masters cocktail of year.
"The Amen Corner" Cocktail Recipe
Photo byRebekah Barton
What You Need:
- 1/2 ounce gin
- 1/2 ounce vodka
- 1/2 ounce tequila
- 1/2 ounce rum
- 1/2 ounce Triple Sec
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 can of Arnold Palmer Half & Half Lite (will not use entire can for one cocktail)
What You Do:
- In a shaker with ice, combine all alcohol, Triple Sec, and lemon juice.
- Top off with desired amount of Arnold Palmer Lite.
- Shake well.
- Strain into glass with ice.
- Garnish with lemon and cherries, if desired. Enjoy!
I hope you've enjoyed this Masters cocktail series as much as I have. Til next year, Augusta!
P.S. As always, I love to hear from you on Instagram, @_rebekahbarton.
The adorable green jacket cups I’ve been using for this series are from the talented Taylor Amen Designs.
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