AUGUSTA, GA—For many years Augusta National Golf Club opted for a very private role with the outside golf community. Yes, the club would annually host the first major of the year with The Masters but the desire to keep itself sequestered away was a clear signal the club wanted only to impact elements within its property line. That changed noticeably with the ascension of Billy Payne to the role as Masters Chairman when he replaced Hootie Johnson on May 5, 2006.
William Porter Payne—known to all as Billy—came into the role with a clear track record of success. Payne played the lead role in securing Atlanta as the host site for the ‘96 Summer Olympics. What was viewed by many as a pipe dream was anything but when the Georgia-born native made it clear his desire to do what many did not see as doable.
The 68-year-old presents an interesting mixture of styles. At times Payne conveys the stereotypical good ole boy—the quick smile and the aw-shucks persona. On the flip side, a very smart and long term thinker—responsible in widening the influence of Augusta National and, at the same time, thrusting himself as a powerful voice within golf globally.
