Augusta now featured on PGA Tour game

Update: It has come to my attention that Royal Melbourne is also part of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2012!

EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 video game will feature the hallowed grounds of Augusta National as one of the courses you can now play. The course has been off limits to not just women but gamers across the world, until now.

According to club chairman, Billy Payne, the club agreed to open its virtual doors to grow the game and introduce more people to golf with all profits made form the game going towards a new (very vague) foundation.

“Our desire to help grow the game of golf throughout the world is sincere, and it is that commitment that first led us to EA Sports more than three years ago,” Payne said in a statement. “EA Sports, Tiger Woods and the PGA Tour have developed an extremely successful franchise that responds to one of the popular entertainment choices of kids today. We hope our inclusion will foster an appreciation for the history and traditions of the Masters and inspire the next generation of golfers.”

See promotional Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 video here

Jim Nantz has added his voice to the commentary during the game which will have gamers reaching for paper bags across the globe. It wouldn’t surprise me if you are forced to look at blooming flowers for minutes on end before you can play your next shot.

All jokes and sarcasm aside, this is pretty cool. I’ve always wondered why Augusta have never allowed their course to be a part of video games and I can’t wait to play it. But if they really are sincere in wanting to open the game of golf to more people, allowing women to join Augusta National would be a good start.