Blame it on the weather.

Augusta National Chairman Billy Payne said that if weather forecasts prove accurate this week, tournament officials will finally get a chance to assess course changes made since 2002. (Kendrick Brinson/Special)

That was Augusta National Golf Club and Masters Tournament Chairman Billy Payne's response to the growing criticism that recent course changes have choked the fun out of the tournament. What many say they miss most are the full-throated Sunday roars that have long been part of Masters lore.

Payne acknowledged that these robust cheers have been missing for the most part recently but doesn't attribute that to the course changes. Since 2002, 450 yards have been added, along with trees on several holes. Light rough, which tournament officials call "the second cut," came in 1999.

"Well, no one wants to hear the roars and the excitement more than the members and the volunteers who put on the tournament," Payne said. "And it is also true that through the years we have become accustomed to those. It is also true that over the last couple of years there have not been as many.

"I maintain that it has been a consequence of the difficult playing conditions, mostly attributable to the weather on the weekend days of the last several years."

That is why Payne said this year is an "important test" of the course changes. Weather forecasts call for nearly ideal conditions when play starts today and particularly over the weekend, when the tournament picks up steam.

Inclement weather has affected play each year since 2002. If forecasts hold true, Payne said, tournament officials will get a chance to accurately assess the course setup this year.

"Since the most substantial changes to the course in 2006, we have not had good weather over the weekend," he said. "The players have not, in fact, had the opportunity to demonstrate their skills against the competitive test of the course.

"But I think we are going to see some good scores shot this week, and we are going to see the course played as it was designed to be played when those changes were made. I think we are going to be pleased with the results."

Payne said he is pleased with efforts to expand the sport and attract youths, promising that Augusta National will help lead in that area. Toward that goal, he said, the Masters is launching enhanced video capability, including streaming live video to iPhone users.

The club recently joined with the Royal & Ancient Golf Club and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation to create the Asian Amateur Championship, which will begin this fall in China and be held throughout Asia. "We do believe that the ultimate prize of a Masters invitation will inspire kids to take up this game, and through time, dramatically increase interest and participation in golf in the region," Payne said.

Still, he said, the club's main focus remains the Masters and keeping patrons happy, which is why the tournament will continue to seek patron input on how to make their experience more enjoyable.

Payne said patron comments led to a change this year to a popular Masters menu item.

"And in response to the literally hundreds of comments we had, I'm proud to say that our barbecue sandwiches, so popular on the course, are now being served heated," Payne said, drawing laughter from the assembled media.

Reach Mike Wynn at (706) 823-3218 or mike.wynn@augustachronicle.com.