The Masters Golf Tournament

Each April, the world's best come together to tee offMastering The Masters
for their place in history, at the Masters GolfMaster's Passes
Tournament in Augusta, GA. After a chilly winterEach April, the world's best come together to tee off
break, the Master's kicks off the beginning of a newfor their place in history, at the Masters Golf
season for professional golfers. With Dogwoods andTournament in Augusta, GA. After a chilly winter
Magnolias in full bloom, perfectly manicured greens linedbreak, the Master's kicks off the beginning of a new
with tall stately Georgia Pines provide the picturesqueseason for professional golfers. With Dogwoods and
backdrop for the greatest and most prestigious eventMagnolias in full bloom, perfectly manicured greens lined
in golf.with tall stately Georgia Pines provide the picturesque
Winning the Masters will change a golfer's life forever.backdrop for the greatest and most prestigious event
Many of the greats have shined here including Samin golf.
Snead, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, GaryWinning the Masters will change a golfer's life forever.
Player, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods. And someMany of the greats have shined here including Sam
have unexplainably gone and never experiencedSnead, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary
victory - most notably Greg Norman, who has playedPlayer, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods. And some
in five Master's tournaments and never won.have unexplainably gone and never experienced
But as beautiful as the Augusta National Golf Club is,victory - most notably Greg Norman, who has played
most of us just dream of the chance to play thein five Master's tournaments and never won.
course or even be a spectator. Tickets are sold outBut as beautiful as the Augusta National Golf Club is,
months in advance and "waiting lists" are rumored tomost of us just dream of the chance to play the
be in excess of ten years. So how do you get yourcourse or even be a spectator. Tickets are sold out
ticket to the greatest tradition in golf? Here are somemonths in advance and "waiting lists" are rumored to
tips on how to get there and some "dos" and "don'ts"be in excess of ten years. So how do you get your
from people who know.ticket to the greatest tradition in golf? Here are some
That's the tickettips on how to get there and some "dos" and "don'ts"
Everyone who has a passion for golf wants thefrom people who know.
opportunity to experience the Master's, this April 3rd toThat's the ticket
the 9th - but where do you get tickets?Everyone who has a passion for golf wants the
If you are not fortunate enough to have seasonopportunity to experience the Master's, this April 3rd to
passes, the best and most secure way to guaranteethe 9th - but where do you get tickets?
quality tickets is through a reputable and experiencedIf you are not fortunate enough to have season
ticket broker/agency. They offer one-day ticketpasses, the best and most secure way to guarantee
passes, weekend ticket passes, practice round play,quality tickets is through a reputable and experienced
VIP parties and wonderful packages that includeticket broker/agency. They offer one-day ticket
tickets to the events, first class transportation, four starpasses, weekend ticket passes, practice round play,
dining and accommodations that range from a basicVIP parties and wonderful packages that include
hotel room to a 15,000 square foot home.tickets to the events, first class transportation, four star
"Look for a full service broker that has a history ofdining and accommodations that range from a basic
success with Master's packages" says Robbi Raitt,hotel room to a 15,000 square foot home.
President of Empire Tickets, in Atlanta. "Make sure that"Look for a full service broker that has a history of
your package can be customized to fit your needs, sosuccess with Master's packages" says Robbi Raitt,
that it will be an experience unique to your personalPresident of Empire Tickets, in Atlanta. "Make sure that
taste and confirm that your agent will have someoneyour package can be customized to fit your needs, so
on-site during the event to offer assistance if needed."that it will be an experience unique to your personal
Raitt advises that a customer should never be shytaste and confirm that your agent will have someone
about asking for references and that the best rule toon-site during the event to offer assistance if needed."
live by when purchasing tickets/ packages for anyRaitt advises that a customer should never be shy
event is tired and true - if it seems too good to be true,about asking for references and that the best rule to
it is.live by when purchasing tickets/ packages for any
And whatever you do, don't throw those tickets awayevent is tired and true - if it seems too good to be true,
when the event is over. "Tickets are heirlooms." Ericit is.
O'Brien, long-time Masters fan says, "Going to theAnd whatever you do, don't throw those tickets away
Masters is a family tradition. Old tickets are passedwhen the event is over. "Tickets are heirlooms." Eric
down along with the great stories that go with them."O'Brien, long-time Masters fan says, "Going to the
Way to go!Masters is a family tradition. Old tickets are passed
Getting into the Master's is not cheap but worth everydown along with the great stories that go with them."
penny. Here is some advice on ways to optimize yourWay to go!
experience from some "old pros".Getting into the Master's is not cheap but worth every
Food. Come hungry because the concession standspenny. Here is some advice on ways to optimize your
get an A + from patrons for taste and quality. Evenexperience from some "old pros".
though the tickets are pricey, once inside a soft drink isFood. Come hungry because the concession stands
still about .35 cents and those famous sandwiches,get an A + from patrons for taste and quality. Even
egg salad, ham & cheese, or the house specialtythough the tickets are pricey, once inside a soft drink is
pimento cheese, are still only about $1.00. Of coursestill about .35 cents and those famous sandwiches,
there are also many excellent restaurants in the area.egg salad, ham & cheese, or the house specialty
Shops. The Masters logo is recognized worldwide sopimento cheese, are still only about $1.00. Of course
don't forget visit the two "outdoor golf shops." The onethere are also many excellent restaurants in the area.
at the main gate is the big one - every MastersShops. The Masters logo is recognized worldwide so
souvenir you can think of can be found there. At thedon't forget visit the two "outdoor golf shops." The one
back gate - on the back of hole 5, gate 10 - is whereat the main gate is the big one - every Masters
a smaller shop is located. People line up to get in bothsouvenir you can think of can be found there. At the
shops to buy golf shirts, sweaters, hats, seats, glasses,back gate - on the back of hole 5, gate 10 - is where
briefcases, screensavers, and calendars -- anythinga smaller shop is located. People line up to get in both
with the logo. A good tip is to visit these at the end ofshops to buy golf shirts, sweaters, hats, seats, glasses,
the day, so you don't have to carry your purchasebriefcases, screensavers, and calendars -- anything
around with you.with the logo. A good tip is to visit these at the end of
Attire & Etiquette. Spectators of the Mastersthe day, so you don't have to carry your purchase
dress in golf shoes/attire as a sign of respect for thearound with you.
game. The Masters Tournament is an internationalAttire & Etiquette. Spectators of the Masters
competition and the contestants are invited guests.dress in golf shoes/attire as a sign of respect for the
Everyone should be treated with courtesy andgame. The Masters Tournament is an international
respect.competition and the contestants are invited guests.
Everyone is requested to display the proper customsEveryone should be treated with courtesy and
of etiquette, decorum and behavior, and to obey allrespect.
Tournament policies, signs and verbal instructions ofEveryone is requested to display the proper customs
Tournament officials.of etiquette, decorum and behavior, and to obey all
For the safety of everyone, and in keeping with policyTournament policies, signs and verbal instructions of
established at major sporting events, running isTournament officials.
considered to be unacceptable behavior.For the safety of everyone, and in keeping with policy
In fairness to spectator access and viewing, only oneestablished at major sporting events, running is
stool/seat will be allowed per person entering theconsidered to be unacceptable behavior.
grounds. Seats in observation stands are not to beIn fairness to spectator access and viewing, only one
reserved and stools/seats are not to be unattendedstool/seat will be allowed per person entering the
for any inordinate length of time.grounds. Seats in observation stands are not to be
Cell phones, beepers and other electronic devices arereserved and stools/seats are not to be unattended
strictly prohibited on the grounds at all times. Camerasfor any inordinate length of time.
are strictly prohibited on Tournament days. AnyoneCell phones, beepers and other electronic devices are
violating this policy will be subject to removal from thestrictly prohibited on the grounds at all times. Cameras
grounds and the permanent loss of ticket(s).  are strictly prohibited on Tournament days. Anyone
Play. Learn the spectator holes. The Masters course isviolating this policy will be subject to removal from the
set up so you can see several holes from severalgrounds and the permanent loss of ticket(s).  
locations. The Spectator Guide, which is given out at allPlay. Learn the spectator holes. The Masters course is
entrances, will show you how to find the best holes forset up so you can see several holes from several
spectators.locations. The Spectator Guide, which is given out at all
Get a paring sheet - that will show you how to spotentrances, will show you how to find the best holes for
groups on the golf course. If you want to seespectators.
someone in particular, the paring sheet will help you plotGet a paring sheet - that will show you how to spot
out your strategy to get a good view.groups on the golf course. If you want to see
"A must see event, in my mind, is spending time on thesomeone in particular, the paring sheet will help you plot
16th green, a jewel of a Par 3 where so manyout your strategy to get a good view.
tournaments have been won and lost," explains Glen"A must see event, in my mind, is spending time on the
Jackson, principle of Jackson Spalding Communications,16th green, a jewel of a Par 3 where so many
in Atlanta and long-time Masters fan. "Spending time ontournaments have been won and lost," explains Glen
the practice range is great fun and looking downJackson, principle of Jackson Spalding Communications,
Magnolia Lane, which harkens back to a time long agoin Atlanta and long-time Masters fan. "Spending time on
and spending time on 12 and 13 are mandatory."  the practice range is great fun and looking down
The Hangouts. The "Hangouts" include the practice tee.Magnolia Lane, which harkens back to a time long ago
The first tee and under the first tee near theand spending time on 12 and 13 are mandatory."  
clubhouse. The putting green, where you can see theThe Hangouts. The "Hangouts" include the practice tee.
18th & 9th green and 10th tee-box.  The 16thThe first tee and under the first tee near the
green is a traditional gathering place. A par 3 (The Parclubhouse. The putting green, where you can see the
3 course is a gem.  It is worth a peak.  Sometimes18th & 9th green and 10th tee-box.  The 16th
you might find some former Masters championsgreen is a traditional gathering place. A par 3 (The Par
playing away from the crowds).  The "big pine at16" is3 course is a gem.  It is worth a peak.  Sometimes
known by a lot of people. A huge pine tree is behindyou might find some former Masters champions
the green and does stand out.playing away from the crowds).  The "big pine at16" is
Another interesting place to visit is the Eisenhowerknown by a lot of people. A huge pine tree is behind
cabin - behind the putting green. President and Mrs.the green and does stand out.
Eisenhower stayed there when on the grounds. HeAnother interesting place to visit is the Eisenhower
was a member. There are a number of cabins on thecabin - behind the putting green. President and Mrs.
grounds that are used during the tournament but theEisenhower stayed there when on the grounds. He
general public can't go in them, for the most part.  was a member. There are a number of cabins on the
Great Expectations.grounds that are used during the tournament but the
If you have never been to the Master's before here isgeneral public can't go in them, for the most part.  
a short list of things to expect, according to EdGreat Expectations.
Presnell, Augusta Metro Chamber of CommerceIf you have never been to the Master's before here is
President and CEO.a short list of things to expect, according to Ed
•    Get there early, stay late and really justPresnell, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce
enjoy the day. The traffic and the crowds take manyPresident and CEO.
people by surprise. Don't try to do it all at one time. Get•    Get there early, stay late and really just
to the front of the golf course and work your wayenjoy the day. The traffic and the crowds take many
back.people by surprise. Don't try to do it all at one time. Get
•    Be prepared to walk and wear comfortableto the front of the golf course and work your way
shoes.back.
•    Watch the fan behavior. Watching people is•    Be prepared to walk and wear comfortable
part of the fun.shoes.
•    Unless you have a particular golfer you want•    Watch the fan behavior. Watching people is
to follow, try to see the golf course first.part of the fun.
•    There may be some protest this year•    Unless you have a particular golfer you want
surrounding the club's admission policy.to follow, try to see the golf course first.
But most importantly, if you are a golf enthusiast,•    There may be some protest this year
expect to have an unforgettable experience steepedsurrounding the club's admission policy.
in history.  Since 1934 the Master's has showcasedBut most importantly, if you are a golf enthusiast,
legends of the sport.  In 1980 Seve Ballesteros won,expect to have an unforgettable experience steeped
becoming the youngest player to date (just 23 yearsin history.  Since 1934 the Master's has showcased
old) to be crowned a winner. At age 46 in 1986, Jacklegends of the sport.  In 1980 Seve Ballesteros won,
Nicklaus donned his sixth "green jacket". And in 1997becoming the youngest player to date (just 23 years
Tiger Woods broke the tournament four day scoringold) to be crowned a winner. At age 46 in 1986, Jack
record that had stood for 32 years. Not bad for aNicklaus donned his sixth "green jacket". And in 1997
game with no mascots.Tiger Woods broke the tournament four day scoring
Written by Donna Garcia, VP of Sales and Marketingrecord that had stood for 32 years. Not bad for a
for Empire Tickets in Atlanta, GAgame with no mascots.