Masters chairman asking some older champions to consider not competing

One reason some former Masters champions might not return to Augusta National has more to do with 300 words than 300 yards. <br> <br> Golf World magazine reports this week that club chairman Hootie Johnson has written to at least three former champions -- Doug Ford, Gay Brewer and Billy Casper -- asking that they no longer play. <br> <br> The magazine cited the letter as saying, ``Your recent record is not indicative of active participation (and) in keeping with the spirit of the intent of the founders, we believe that the 2001 Masters should be your final one as a player.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Johnson said several players were asked to evaluate their participation. <br> <br> Johnson said, ``We think the intent of Bob Jones and Clifford Roberts was for a golfer to play as long as he made a serious effort to participate actively in the tournament.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Casper, the last of those three to make a cut in 1987, shot 87-80 last year. Brewer withdrew after an 84, while Ford withdrew after playing the first hole -- a double bogey.