AUGUSTA -- Option one for getting Masters badges: work with or be friends with someone who has them. Option two: work with or be friends with someone who knows someone who has them. Option three: Travel back in time to get on the ticket waiting list that is now closed. Option four: Own a convenience store.
The findings of an entirely unscientific survey of 21 sets of fans eating lunch Thursday at the tournament revealed that if you don't have connections, you're probably watching on TV or going through the pricey re-sale market.
Of the 21, 10 got tickets from a first- or second-degree connection with family or friends. Those sources generally either were members or people who receive tickets annually as patrons who got on the badge list back when they were available, which stopped in 1972 when the club began a waiting list. Brothers Bill and Paul Wood came from Cincinnati with badges belonging to the son of John Fischer, the 1936 U.S. Amateur champion and a friend of Bobby Jones. Fischer, the Woodses said, was an Augusta National member who was responsible for setting Masters pin placements for years.
Eight came to Augusta National on Thursday with badges received from business partners or employers. One of them was Patricia Crosby, who owns a convenience store near Savannah. When Pepsi and Coca-Cola sales people sought a contract for primary product placement in her store, the Coke sales rep noted the Masters cap that Crosby was wearing.
"He said, ‘If I give you two tickets to the Masters every year, will you sign?'" Crosby said. "Done deal."
She has been coming nine years.
The remaining three received tickets through the waiting list, which closed in 1978 and re-opened briefly in 2000.
A new opportunity has arisen, however. Club chairman Billy Payne announced this week that more tournament tickets will be made available via a lottery. The club will continue to hold a lottery for practice-round tickets. More information is available at masters.com.
Etc.
Georgia Tech grad and Duluth resident Stewart Cink has a rather big star on his side. NBA legend Magic Johnson tweeted his support Thursday after Cink shot a 1 under. Johnson, who tweeted Wednesday that he would be in Augusta, is connected to Cink through their endorsement for Dove men's skin-care products. ... South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier and former Hawks coach Mike Woodson, along with former assistant Jim Todd, were in the gallery. ... Weather forecast for Friday: High of 82 degrees with isolated thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. ... Amateur Nathan Smith flew the green on 18 and landed his ball in a fan's lap. Said Smith, "I think it was a sandwich or something." Smith made a bogey from the sandwich and gave the fan a ball for his troubles. "It was kind of like a Happy Gilmore situation," Smith said.
