One of the perks of playing in the Masters Tournament comes even before a participant sees Augusta National Golf Club's famed course.

The drive down Magnolia Lane, the stretch of road that leads directly to Augusta National's Clubhouse, is a thrill in itself, especially for first-time participants.

Not just anyone can go down the road, which adds to its mystique.

Upon entry at the main gate off Washington Road, only participants, tournament officials and members are allowed access down Magnolia Lane.

When a golfer qualifies for his first Masters, he often says he can't wait to take that trip.

The mental picture of Magnolia Lane is sometimes hard to match in real life for a golfer.

Indeed, the first time Tiger Woods (Stats | Bio) drove down the road, as a 19-year-old amateur in 1995, he expressed surprise that the lane wasn't longer.

Even the most casual Masters fan knows about the road, but because it's rarely shown in television coverage, Magnolia Lane is one of the first points of interest for a first-time tournament patron.

The road was even immortalized in a 1981 song, Augusta, written and performed by Dave Loggins. The song, inspired by Loggins' visit to Augusta National in 1980, mentions Magnolia Lane in the opening line:

"Well, it's springtime in the valley on Magnolia Lane ... "

One of the most famous quotes about Magnolia Lane came from Fulton Allem, who played in the Masters in 1992 and 1994.

"When you cross those magnolias, your hair stands up," Allem said. "It happens to everyone. And the person who combs his hair best wins the Masters."

Magnolia Lane, which is about 330 yards long and is bordered by 61 magnolia trees, dates back to pre-Civil War days. Originally, the 365-acre property it led to was an indigo plantation.

In 1857, Baron Louis Mathieu Edouard Berckmans purchased the property and turned it into Fruitlands Nurseries, one of the first commercial nurseries in the country.

When Berckmans died in 1910, the nursery ceased operations and the trade name was sold.

In 1930, a group of five men, including Masters Tournament co-founders Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones, purchased the property. Magnolia Lane remained a dirt road until 1947.

In his book The Story of the Augusta National Golf Club, Roberts, who served as Masters Tournament chairman from 1934 until his death in 1977, included a section on Magnolia Lane.

He wrote that at the time the club was formed, Magnolia Lane was "said to be the finest thing of its kind" and that the road served as a "most impressive entrance" to the club.

Reach David Westin at (706) 724-0851 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.