AUGUSTA, Ga. — Part of the allure of attending the Masters Tournament is the chance to leaving with unique keepsakes.
Simply put, Augusta National Golf Club is the only place that sells these items and the Masters is the only time one can obtain them. There’s a level of exclusivity to that intrigues people. Somebody will probably never ask, “Where did you get that,” because most know exactly where it came from.
Whether you’re a first-time patron or a regular that wants to update their collection, there’s something interesting for everyone at the golf shops at the Masters.
“I’ve been to the Masters several times, but just wanted to get some updated shirts and hats; shirts and hats and anything unique, maybe,” Mike Bechtol of Chico, California, said Sunday. “They have a few annual, unique things that are kind of interesting.”
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The Main Golf Shop only goes so far, however. When asked if there was anything he was still searching for, Carl Turner of Aiken, South Carolina, didn’t skip a beat.
“Tickets for Sunday,” he said, jokingly.
Turner and Samuel Ford, also from Aiken, were looking to add to their commemorative coin and pin collections, along with one of the commemorative watches.
With that in mind, here are the six hottest items – some traditional, some new – that patrons are headed for first during the 2023 Masters.
Gnomes
The gnomes of Augusta National have gained a cult following over the years. The design changes annually; this year’s gnome being dressed as a patron donning a Masters visor and carrying folding chair over his shoulder and a stack of empty concessions cups in his hand.
Originally dressed as a caddie, miniature versions of that design can still be had in the merchandise shop relatively easily. The full-sized versions, however, are the hottest ticket in town. They sell out very quickly and that was the case for Turner this year.
“I’ve got a few at home now that I’ve bought,” he said. “This year when I got here they were all sold out, but they said in the morning they’ll re-stock and should have some.”
How fast, exactly? Not too long after the merchandise shops open up for the day.
“For some crazy reason, they’ve actually sold out of that every day in 10 minutes. It’s kind of nuts,” Bechtol said. “I do have a friend that collects them and he’ll be here Thursday, so he’ll probably be here when the whole thing opens and…
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