In the mid-1940s, the Jones Cabin was the first structure of its kind built at Augusta National Golf Club, and little has changed inside since its owner, Augusta National co-founder Bobby Jones, died in 1971.

Before his death, Jones stipulated that certain memorabilia remain in the cabin, which is to the left of the 10th tee at Augusta National.

Among the items untouched are several of Jones' awards and trophies; a map of the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, drawn to scale in 1924 by golf course designer Alister Mackenzie; and a large oil painting of Jones done by President Eisenhower, an Augusta National member.

Even the nameplate on the front door bearing Jones' name is intact.

Just don't expect to take a look inside. A Pinkerton guard will politely tell you it is off-limits to the public. It is visited occasionally by golfers who are in the running to win the Masters Tournament, including Len Mattiace (Stats | Bio) , who lost the 2003 tournament to Mike Weir (Stats | Bio) in a sudden-death playoff.

It is the Jones Cabin where players are taken by tournament officials after they finish the final round if they are leading or near the lead with players still on the course.

There, surrounded by the spirit of Bobby Jones, players watch the tournament unfold on television to see whether they'll be slipping on a green jacket, heading back out for a playoff or leaving as a runner-up or worse.

"It was a little nerve-wracking," Larry Mize (Stats | Bio) said.

In 1987, Mize and Seve Ballesteros (Stats | Bio) watched coverage in the Jones Cabin as Greg Norman played the final hole. If Norman parred, he'd win the Masters. A bogey meant he'd be in a sudden-death playoff with Mize and Ballesteros.

Norman made bogey, and Mize went on to win the Masters on the second playoff hole.

The experience in the Jones Cabin was so surreal for Mize that he has little recollection of his visit there. He doesn't remember whether he sat or stood while he was there, or where Ballesteros was.

He says he does remember that he and Ballesteros made eye contact when Norman missed his par putt on No. 18, meaning there would be a playoff.

"It was kind of wild," Mize said.

The Jones Cabin has never been moved, but its proximity to the course has changed.

In 1972, the 10th tee was moved 10 yards toward the cabin. And in 2002, the championship tee was moved back 10 yards and five yards to the left.

Now, instead of the cabin being almost parallel with the championship tee, it is in front of it.

Reach David Westin at (706) 724-0851 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.