Augusta National and Masters Chairman Billy Payne gave an interview to Sports Editor John Boyette in December. Here are Payne's thoughts on key issues:

What do you expect to be the big issues as chairman?

Payne: I think the issue over which we all hope for closure is that the game of golf will have reached a plateau and settle down regarding the distances these guys are hitting it using new equipment, new technology. Because it has and continues to threaten some of the great courses in the world, Augusta included.

What changes to the course might be next?

Payne: We made some relatively minor changes this summer. We lengthened tees on 15 and 11, and that served the purpose of allowing us to play those two holes in less punitive fashion under adverse winds or unduly wet conditions. We removed grass under the pines on the right side of 11 and replaced it with pine straw. It's more consistent with the balance of the course and allows greater opportunity for recovery shots on a misplaced drive. We moved the (mow) line to the second cut about 3 to 5 yards on the right, giving a wider landing for the short and medium hitters. Other than that, we made what I would call some cosmetic changes.

What about plans to institute a "Masters ball"?

Payne: We'll do whatever is required to ensure the competitiveness of our golf course. And so while we do not believe the focus is now singularly on the ball, it is not an option that we would rule out unequivocally forever. It's not a burning issue now, I don't think.

Will winners of PGA Tour events receive automatic invitations?

Payne: There's a lot of magic to that. The public and the fans really like to see the joy that's associated with a victory when, more important than the prize money, is the fact that the winner knows he'll be able to compete in the Masters. And so we have been watching with interest the Tour as they finalize their FedEx Cup season and somewhat less than full-field season for the balance of the calendar year. We are getting close, I think, to being able to make a decision when it would be appropriate to invite back the winners. I can't give you a specific timetable because there's still a little bit up in the air, and we want to be sure we get it right.

How do you think the FedEx system will play out?

Payne: I'm a supporter of the tour and anything that promotes the game of golf. It seems to me that with a lot of time and the benefit of a lot of advice they're getting, they'll figure out exactly what is right in achieving their goal.

Are fewer tournaments the way to go?

Payne: I don't know the answer to that. I think there'll be something generally supported by different aspects. I definitely think the tour knows what it is doing. It looks like to me they're coming up with a pretty good answer to make sure the better players play a significant number of tournaments in order to qualify for this very impressive prize.

You said in the spring that any dialogue on the club's lack of female members would not be meaningful or helpful. Has that changed?

Payne: No sir.

Are there any plans to further diversify the club's membership?

Payne: We're going to continue our membership deliberations in a private manner, and we're just not going to talk about it.

Any new TV ideas to explore?

Payne: No. We look all the time at what is the right amount of coverage. It gets tweaked a little bit every year. ... I thought everyone enjoyed the bonus coverage we had this year (Sunday morning) because of completion of the third round. I think perhaps the next step to allowing greater access to the Masters is through some as yet undecided form of new media, like the little teaser we did at Amen Corner (live streaming video in 2006). It was received overwhelmingly positively. In terms of getting more people to have the experience, that's probably the direction we'll head over the next couple of years.

Any luck on getting Arnold Palmer to be the honorary starter?

Payne: Well, I made it clear to him that we all love him. Thousands of patrons and millions of television viewers would love to see him do it. I'm going to continue to work on it, and I think that when he's ready, I'll go pick him up personally. He's just such a fine man, and he is so intricately connected to Augusta National and the Masters. It would be a very special moment.

When will the new patron parking and the new practice facility be ready?

Payne: 2010 is the earliest first use of the new practice facility. We're sticking to that date, and I don't think it will be any sooner because there is a staged construction issue.