AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Commander James "Marshall" Willis, Navy Information Operations Command Georgia, was very pleased to be among those who attended the 2019 Masters Tournament. His visit was a testament to the ongoing relationship between the Augusta National Golf Club and Fort Gordon.

Traditionally, the Masters Credentials Committee offers 100 series badges for purchase to Fort Gordon's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR), which are then provided to Servicemembers by way of a Masters Badge Lottery. It's a tradition of cooperation between the post and Augusta National that has continued more than four decades.

During the first full week in April, the Augusta National Golf Club hosts the Masters Tournament and opens its gates to the world. The club's sense of history and tradition reaches beyond its immaculate greens to Fort Gordon.

Prior to World War II, Augusta National co-founders Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts provided recreation for Soldiers by donating its 1942 Masters Tournament's proceeds to finance a putting green, driving range, golf clubs and balls for then-Camp Gordon.

According to The Augusta Chronicle archives, Jones provided green-and-yellow caps for Camp Gordon's softball team that matched the ones worn by caddies at that time.

Fort Gordon's Signal Corps Branch Historian Steve Rauch stated, "Jones wanted to promote golfing as a sport for Soldiers as an alternative to other sports. So anything they did would of course reflect that promotion."

In Golfdom magazine's March 1942 edition, quoted from a letter by club co-founder Roberts, "I can tell you only briefly that the officers in Camp Gordon in Augusta were most appreciative of our offering and are doing everything they can to cooperate ..."

The club closed for play after the 1942 tournament, and the Masters was not held again until the end of World War II. In 1945, the relationship between Augusta National and Camp Gordon resumed. The Masters Tournament began again in April 1946, and Soldiers from Camp Gordon were offered badges to the Masters.

Famed golfer Arnold Palmer's legion of fans, known as Arnie's Army, credited the moniker to Soldiers who were asked to man the leaderboards in the 1950s. According to an interview with The Augusta Chronicle, Palmer stated, "… They used to holler at me and hold up signs. They were talking to me about playing well and would say, 'We're members of Arnie's Army.'"

Masters Badge Lottery winner Tech Sgt. Jeffrey Blile, 31st Intelligence Squadron, attended his first Masters on the first round April 11.

"I expected a lot of people and a beautiful course. It surpassed both of those," he said. "What surprised me the most was how very well organized everything was. From entry to the gift shop everything was organized and professional." Blile added, "Just after I got to the course I was just walking around looking and just about 6 feet away Tiger Woods was walking up to the starting green before his tee off."

Willis is a golf fan who attended the tournament's second round on April 12. Expecting a beautiful course, he was not expecting it to be as surreal as it appears on television.

"It far exceeded my expectations," he said.

When asked about his most memorable moment of his experience, Willis replied, "Getting to see all of the iconic parts of the course -- Amen Corner, Magnolia Drive, Founders Circle. Plus, getting to try all the food! I would love to share the Masters experience with my kids."

The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world, and tickets are amongst the toughest to get in all of sporting events.

Thanks to the longstanding partnership between Augusta National Golf Club and DFMWR, each spring, Servicemembers stationed at Fort Gordon and Gillem Enclave have an opportunity to purchase one of dozens of badges set aside exclusively for them.