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Brilliance of azalea blooms below par, some patrons say

Posted April 7, 2015, 7:48 pm
BY |
Staff Writer

 

Augusta National Golf Club’s famed pink and purple azaleas appear to be lacking their normal vibrancy, some Masters Tournament patrons said Tuesday about the flowering plants.

Many of the bushes had partially bloomed, some had unopened buds and other blooms had been knocked to the ground or drooping after rainfall Monday night.

“They don’t seem as bright as they have been,” said Pat Serley, of Pensacola, Fla.

Serley and her husband, Mark, rested near an azalea-covered hill above the sixth hole. The bushes had many green leaves mixed with patchy spots of colorful blooms.

Suzanne Holmes, a horticulture program assistant for the Richmond County’s extension office, said several varieties of azaleas throughout Augusta are not in full bloom because of colder temperatures in March.

Holmes has not visited Augusta National but said azaleas are flowering across the Garden City.

“Some are in full bloom and some are just starting,” Holmes said.

The below-average temperatures last month, however, means other flowers are blooming simultaneously, she said. White and pink dogwood trees still have flowers, and yellow lady banksia and purple wisteria blooms have not faded.

“Normally, it’s spread out. They aren’t all blooming at the same time. This time, it’s hitting all together,” Holmes said.

Although the azalea blooms are less spectacular than her last visit in 2012, Seerley said, the course has an unmatched beauty.

“It’s still nice to come and see the course,” she said.

Many patrons were in awe of the azaleas, stopping to take photos in front of blooming bushes Tuesday.

SLIDESHOW: Augusta in Bloom

 

SLIDESHOW: Amen Corner

 

Course Tour
Par 72
7,435 yards
 
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THE COURSE’S TOP 18

Each hole at Augusta National Golf Club is named for a tree or shrub that adds to the natural beauty at the course:

HOLE PLANT

1 Tea olive

2 Pink dogwood

3 Flowering peach

4 Flowering crab apple

5 Magnolia

6 Juniper

7 Pampas

8 Yellow jasmine

9 Carolina cherry

10 Camellia

11 White dogwood

12 Golden bell

13 Azalea

HOLE PLANT

14 Chinese fir

15 Firethorn

16 Redbud

17 Nandina

18 Holly