They are Sunday traditions on the PGA Tour.
A golfer wins a tournament. Celebrates with family and friends. Hoists a large trophy. Poses with an oversized check. Smiles for the cameras.
And sometimes dons a winner’s jacket.
These jackets come in all colors and patterns. Masters green is the most famous — and most desired — but there are several others on Tour that are certainly eye-catching. Check ’em out.
Scottish royal tartan plaid jacket
Charles Schwab Challenge
The Charles Schwab Challenge has had many tournament names over the years but one constant has been the awarding of an official Scottish royal tartan plaid jacket for its champions. They’ve been giving these out to winners since 1952.
According to the Fort Worth Star/Telegram, Barry Smith, owner of William Barry Distinctive Apparel, has created the winner’s jacket for the last 30 years. The tartan wool material comes from the United Kingdom.
And you don’t have to win the tournament to get one. Members of the Colonial Country Club also get one.
Heritage plaid
RBC Heritage
Similar to the Charles Schwab Challenge, the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, gives its winner a plaid jacket.
This particular plaid was actually accredited by the Council of the Scottish Tartan Society in 1970, according to islandpacket.com.
The tournament first gave out a canary yellow jacket but that lasted only a couple years, replaced by the plaid. “Heritage Plaid” became the official name of the fabric in 2000.
Palmettoes, a clothing and accessories shop in Sea Pines, makes the coats each year.
But you don’t have to win the RBC to get one. Amateur golfers who pay to play in the pro-am after 20 years or more of participation can get a plaid jacket. Board members of the Heritage Classic Foundation also receive a jacket. Turns out the governor of South Carolina and the mayor of Hilton Head Island also receive a jacket.
Green jacket
Masters Tournament
Augusta National members began wearing green jackets since 1937. The idea was to have them be easily identifiable so they could answer questions from patrons. Brooks Uniform Co. in New York made the original jackets, which featured heavy wool material.
Those soon gave way to a lightweight version that could be custom-ordered from the club’s pro shop. The jacket today features the Augusta National logo on the left chest pocket and the brass buttons. Since 1967, the jackets have been made by Hamilton Tailoring Co. of Cincinnati.
The first green jacket was awarded to a winner when Sam Snead won the tournament for the first time in 1949.
The green jacket is reserved for Augusta National members and golfers who win the Masters. Jackets are kept on club grounds, and taking them off the premises is forbidden. The exception is for the winner, who can take it home and return it to the club the following year.
Red alpaca cardigan sweater
Arnold Palmer Invitational
The winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill once received a standard navy blue blazer, but now, the champ dons a red alpaca cardigan sweater, similar to the one Palmer used to wear.
The tournament crest on this cardigan is removable, but it’s doubtful any tournament champ would do that.
Tyrrell Hatton won the event in March and became the first event champion to don the cardigan.
Thunderbirds blue blazer
Waste Management Phoenix Open
Webb Simpson, winner of the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open, is the latest to be awarded a blue blazer by the Thunderbirds, the charitable organization that annually stages the most highly attended golf tournament on the PGA Tour.
Members of the Thunderbirds wear velvet blue tunics each year, making them easy to spot by fans and players alike.
