Photos: Billy Payne’s tenure at Augusta National

Golf

William Porter Payne, the former Atlanta Olympic Committee CEO and Georgia Bulldogs lineman, has served as Augusta National Golf Club chairman since 2006. He has faced such hot-button issues and left a legacy at the home of the Masters Tournament.

April 11, 2013 - Augusta, Ga: Masters Chairman Billy Payne welcomes patrons following the honorary starters teeing off on the first tee for the start of the 2013 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday morning in Augusta, Ga., April 11, 2013. Legends of golf, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus started the Masters with a tee shot on the first tee. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM

060405 - AUGUSTA, GA -- Hootie Johnson (left), Chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club smiles with Billy Payne (right) as they talk about the course's recent lengthening Wednesday, April 5, 2006 during Johnson's annual Masters Tournament address to the media. Johnson also said the tournament was not ready to go to a specific golf ball to control shot length. (David Tulis/AJC staff)

040614 AUGUSTA: Chairman Billy Payne and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice check out the weather on the 18th green at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Augusta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 04: Masters Chairman Billy Payne speaks to the media during the third practice day prior to the start of The Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 4, 2007 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

070405 Augusta, GA -- Arnold Palmer waves to patrons as this year's honorary starter during the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, April 5, 2007. (Rich Addicks / AJC Staff)

April 5, 2012 AUGUSTA-- Honorary starter Arnold Palmer gives Masters chairman Billy Payne a high five before he tees off Thursday morning to start play in the 2012 Masters. Shots from the 2012 Masters opening round Thursday April 5, 2012. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

060409 - AUGUSTA, GA -- Wearing the traditional green winner's jacket, Masters champion Phil Mickelson (L) is escorted from the 18th green by Augusta National's Billy Payne (R) during the Masters final round Sunday 4/9/06 in Augusta. Payne was named chairman of the club Friday 5/5/06 replacing outgoing chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club, Hootie Johnson. (Rich Addicks / AJC staff)

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09: Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, William Porter Payne (R), hands the Masters Trophy to Sergio Garcia (L) of Spain during the Green Jacket ceremony after Garcia won in a playoff during the final round of the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2017 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

APRIL 10, 2012-AUGUSTA: Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Billy Payne speaks at a press conference on Wednesday April 10th, 2013. PHIL SKINNER / PSKINNER@AJC.COM

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 05: Augusta National chairman Billy Payne and competition committee chairman Fred Ridley look over the 18th green during a practice round prior to the start of the 2016 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2016 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images for Golfweek)

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April 11, 2013 - Augusta, Ga: Masters Chairman Billy Payne welcomes patrons following the honorary starters teeing off on the first tee for the start of the 2013 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club Thursday morning in Augusta, Ga., April 11, 2013. Legends of golf, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus started the Masters with a tee shot on the first tee. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM

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