Courtesy: Augusta.com

Someone opened a window at Augusta National and a breath of fresh air is sweeping down the stuffy corridors.

the masters committee announced this week several changes to next year's tournament (which begins in just 4 months. But who's counting?).

And they are changes that should be applauded.

First, the committee is allowing the kick-off par 3 tournament to be televised for the first time in the history of the Masters on TV.

I think this is great and I would guess most golfers starved for good TV golf after a winter of broadcast inactivity would welcome it, too.

I have often wondered why the event was never televised - in fact, I now wonder why the committee took so long to get around to it.

I have always wanted to see that par-3 course at Augusta; it always struck me as the "mystery 9" at Augusta.

Of course, it has always been the one event in town that no one wants to win. Perhaps by televising it, that could "break the jinx". Who knows?

I'll tell you one thing. Televising the par-3 tournament will jack up audience ratings for The Masters itself substantially.

The other laudable change for 2008 relates to attendance. The Masters committee is going to allow every tournament badge holder to bring along one child aged 8 to 16 for free.

Billy Payne, club chairman, says the committee is intent on helping to grow the game among the next generation.

I can't think of a better way to excite a kid about golf than taking him or her to The Masters.

Good on Billy Payne and the other committee members. Take deep gulps of that fresh air and keep it coming.