Well, Now That You Ask ...

There never will be more than one president of Augusta National Golf Club, and that is co-founder and golfing legend Robert T. Jones Jr., who, after his death in 1971 was named President in Perpetuity. But the chairmanship, first filled by Jones' partner and friend, Clifford Roberts, is the revolving leadership position that continues to rule the club, with Billy Payne the current commander of all things at 2604 Washington Road.

Payne is the sixth club chairman, succeeding Hootie Johnson in 2006, and his executive management of club business and the Masters Tournament is supreme and unquestioned. Such power was bequeathed to him via the iron-fisted command of Roberts, who became known as a "benevolent dictator," during his tenure from 1934-76. So absolute was his reign that Roberts summarily dismissed President Dwight Eisenhower's wish to have a large oak tree removed from the left of the 17th fairway because it stymied his slicing tee shots.

Roberts was meticulous and sought perfection for every facet of the club and the tournament. His successors have all taken up the cause with unparalleled commitment. Their combined efforts must have yielded something special. After all, no one this side of Lee Trevino would ever think of missing the Masters, and no ticket in sports is more coveted.

"Top to bottom, Augusta is a pretty neat deal," Scott Verplank said.

Indeed, but even the most perspicacious individual could never think of everything.

Fortunately, the capable Mr. Payne won't ever be at a loss for ideas. The men he invites to the Masters on behalf of the club are only too happy to offer their suggestions -- when prompted -- on ways to improve the venerable home of the season's first major.

As Hunter Mahan says: "I don't think there is a place in the world that couldn't be better, even one as good as Augusta. So anything you do, you just want to make it better. But you want to walk softly when you do it."

True, but what's the fun in that? Herewith is a list to get Mr. Payne's fertile mind working even faster:

Sunday, Sunday, can't trust that day ...

Hunter Mahan: "You can't undo what another guy has done. You want to be respectful of what someone like Hootie (Johnson) has done for the tournament. But my goal would be to make sure I bring back the excitement to the back nine again on Sunday. That's what the Masters represents is one of the most exciting tournaments in the world. You don't want to see a battle for pars. The way Phil (Mickelson) won in 2004, shooting all those birdies on the back nine, that's what you want to see every year."

Dudley Hart: "I wish they would go back to the original course setup. I know what they were trying to do, and that was they didn't want anybody shooting too low or to shoot low too easily, so I understand. But I remember as a kid there was nothing more exciting than the back nine on Sunday at Augusta and watching to see who could come out of nowhere and win it. Just speaking as a fan I would love to see that happen."

Steve Flesch: "Set up the golf course on Sunday exactly how it was when Jack (Nicklaus) shot 30 on the back nine in the final round in 1986, and never change it again. That was the most memorable comeback in history, and who wouldn't want to see more of that? That is what the Masters has lost is the ability for a player to make a back-nine charge on Sunday. Right now, people are cheering pars instead of birdies. It's become a test of survival, and that's not what the Masters is about. That was always the fun part about the Masters, the chance that somebody could go out and shoot a score to win."

Because, you know, everyone is an architect ...

Mike Weir: "They make changes every year to the golf course, and if I were in charge, I would certainly look at doing a few more things. I would probably, first of all, change No. 7. I'd change it back to the way it was, when it was a much shorter hole. I would also like to change 15 to make the green a bit more receptive. You can hit a great shot there and be in the water."

Scott Verplank: "There wouldn't be much. I think I would just eliminate a few back tees. The golf course isn't the same as it once was. The greens are the same, and the ground that it actually sits on is the same, but the rest of the course is a lot different. It doesn't take the same kind of skills it used to take. It was more fun to play and a more fun atmosphere for the crowd."