AUGUSTA, Ga. — Opening day at the Masters doesn’t compare to the other sport that traditionally begins in the spring.
Baseball has $40 parking, $12 beer and a smell of hotdogs. Augusta National offers free parking, $5 beer (domestic or imported) and a soft aroma of cigars — real ones, no dime-store phonies.
What was different about Thursday’s opening day — or any of the four tournament rounds — at the Masters are the patrons, as they’re called.
Seasoned veterans, more in tune with the intricacies of the course than most of the 88 players, properly schooled on behavioral patterns.
After all, many have been coming here for decades. You don’t wait in line at a window or call TicketMaster for admittance. Patrons secure “badges,” which renew each year as long as the recipients are willing to pay the modest fee of $450 for all four days.
If there were such a thing as professional spectators, the Masters patrons would wear the label. They know how to dress — men mostly in golf polos, many women in light dresses or skirts. (Shout out to the gentleman whose polo read, “My green jacket is at the cleaners.”)
There is no proof, but the “golf clap” probably originated at Augusta National. You won’t hear anyone yelling “mashed potatoes,” “Baba Booey” or “You da man!” — phrases that will surface next month when the PGA Championship heads to suburban Rochester.
What does get uttered toward players is respectful. “Let go, Tiger” must have been heard a thousand times by Woods, still the most popular player here. Spectators were lined up 10-20 deep around the first tee to see Woods’ first shot en route to a disappointing opening-round 74.
Past champions are revered, even if they have no chance to win. Fred Couples, the 1992 winner still competitive at 63, was cheered around the…
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