Officials at Augusta National, home to the Masters, announced in partnership with EA SPORTS that its golf course will be included in the 2012 installment of the Tiger Woods PGA Tour golf game.
The game will go on sale March 29, just a few weeks before the 75th playing of the Masters, and allow participants to “play” the Augusta National course by “qualifying” for and attempting to win the Masters.
Augusta National chairman Billy Payne said that the Masters will be featured in the game as part of a bigger club initiative that will allow the tournament and the club to donate more money to the Masters Tournament Foundation. “The establishment of the Masters Tournament Foundation is central to fulfilling our responsibility of supporting the game’s continuous growth around the world,” Payne said in a statement. “This tradition, shaped by our founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, is the cornerstone of the Foundation’s important commitment.”
The Masters will receive proceeds from the EA Sports game, and will direct 100 percent of that money to its newly formed foundation.
“Our desire to help grow the game of golf throughout the world is sincere, and it is that commitment that first led us to EA Sports more than three years ago,” Payne said. “EA Sports, Tiger Woods and the PGA Tour have developed an extremely successful franchise that responds to one of the popular entertainment choices of kids today.
“We hope our inclusion will foster an appreciation for the history and traditions of the Masters and inspire the next generation of golfers. Equally important is its ability to help further the mission of the Masters Tournament Foundation with the entirety of its proceeds.”
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