Tiger Woods PGA Tour '12: Game On at Augusta National Golf Club

What golf course do you want to play the most?

This question is asked with regularity amongst golfers. And much of the time the answer is Augusta National.

But unless you are one of the 300 or so members or happen to be close friends with one of the select few who belong to the club, you have always been out of luck.

Well it seems your luck is about to change (sort of).

EA Sports, the creator of the popular Tiger Woods PGA Tour golf game franchise, announced last week that this year's edition of the popular golf game will take place at Augusta National. 

That’s right, people who have always wanted to play the hallowed track can soon do so virtually. And while it may not be the same as playing the course, it is a lot better than viewing the course on television for one week a year.

Say what you will about Augusta National and its members but this announcement marks a huge change in the golf landscape.

This is the course that until 2002 did not allow the front nine of the golf course to be televised during the Masters Golf Tournament. The reason being is they wanted to keep the course a mystery to the masses. So letting gamers play all eighteen holes shows they are willing to shred the veil of secrecy and open the course to the average Joe. 

This is a course that until 1990 did not have any African-American members. So to lend it’s name to a game that features a golfer of African descent shows that Augusta National is willing to change with the times.

And while many of you will say it is about time they changed, you must realize Augusta National does things at its own pace. They have a deep tradition rooted in years of history and as a result change does not come easy, so let's be happy that change did happen.

After all, it was not that long ago that the membership included no African Americans.

Augusta Chairmen Billy Payne elaborates on another reason of the significance of Augusta's inclusion in the game when he states, "We hope our inclusion will foster an appreciation for the history and traditions of the Masters and inspire the next generation of golfers."

Lets be honest, the recent economic times have not been friendly to the game.  And with the growth of golf stagnant and more courses closing than opening, the game needs all the help it can get.

After playing the video game, people may fall in love with Augusta National. And when the game is not enough for them, they may go buy a set of used clubs and try their hand at the real thing.

Finally, it will help people view Tiger in a better light.

Tiger has had more than his fair share of troubles over the last year. One company after the next has decided to cut ties with him, including two more in just the last couple of weeks.

Yet if one of, if not the most, private, exclusive, golf clubs in the world is willing to put their faith in him, maybe it is time the rest of the world starts again.