The 2011 Masters Tournament's Par 3 Contest heralds the eve of the main event's first round. Since 1960, the short course has traditionally been played through on the Wednesday before the actual tournament. It's a casual competition, with many golfers opting to use their kids as caddies. Not every Masters golfer participates, and not every Par 3 golfer will contend in the tourney itself. You just kind of roll with it. It's like the slam dunk contest?

TV schedule, start time: The Par 3 Contest begins at 12:30 pm ET, with live streaming online at Masters.com and ESPN3 plus ESPN's broadcast set to begin at 3 pm ET. Listed the online ones first because you'll be at work at the time. Looking out for you.

Course history: Augusta National Golf Club's Par 3 Course features nine holes. The course par is ... 27! The course was designed in 1958, highlighted by Ike's Pond and DeSoto Springs Pond. Art Wall and Gay Brewer hold the course record: 7-under.

Last year: Louis Oosthuizen won by shooting 6 under, becoming the third-straight South African to take the event. He also fell prey to the legendary Par 3 curse -- no Par 3 winner has ever won the green jacket in the same year.

For more on the Masters, visit SB Nation's golf hub and Waggle Room.