The Masters Isn’t Content

Imagine walking around the greens when all the sudden, click, someone took a photo. Heads turn and then it registers that it was a popular influencer. Murmurs start because isn’t it a no phone event? A wave of shock carries over the whole crowd.
The Masters, at Augusta National Golf Club, had more influencers attend through brand trips or invites this year to make content. During the first week of April, the most prestigious golf event is held where pro golfers come from all over America only being invited via ranking from past tournaments and championships.
“The masters is popular because it’s prestigious,” said Freshman Adelae Vaillancourt.
She’s not the only golfer to have feelings about how the popular Augusta event is famous because it’s a hard event to score an invite to and many never get the opportunity to. Varsity Golfer Elaina Rathert said it was shocking how many influencers were at The Masters this year. With the fact the popular music festival, Coachella, was happening at the same time that many content creators usually attend. The course is ”one of the most difficult courses in the country,” said Assistant Principal Jens Erie. Erie was the first girls golf team coach here at Sunnyslope. Attending such a high profile golf event is a privilege ranging from the experience itself, but mainly being able to watch the top golfers in the nation that’s why. An event that’s supposed to be surrounded by golf is now “content and status” oriented, which is not what it should be about, said Vaillancourt. Some may think it is cool to get an inside look inside of the event, but does that defeat the whole purpose of it being such a distinguished tournament?“Social media gives it more attention ,which is nice, but that means it can reach the wrong audience at the same time,” said Rathert. Social media makes people constant followers, gaining such media coverage attracts a lot of people. Sometimes that’s not always a good thing as people could start going just for status instead of going to see golf. “Being the most important tournament in golf it’s also an exercise of patience,” rather that’s being the golfer on the course, or being the person watching, said Erie. Having patients with influencers as they also experience a once in a lifetime event is important. Indeed, The Master is an awesome annual event, but learning that content doesn’t belong in certain parts is important. A once in a lifetime experience shouldn’t be tainted by people snapping videos of the greens for Instagram. With a lottery system of people only ever being able to attend once, it’s important to remember to live in the moment.