Masters patrons show mix of disappointment, appreciation

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Patrons leave Augusta National Golf Club, which was closed twice to patrons on Wednesday because of stormy weather. SARA CORCE/STAFF
Article Photos

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Workers evacuate patrons from Augusta National Golf Club because of severe weather during the Wednesday practice round of the Masters Tournament.. ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF

Bonnie Bennett heard the horn blow for the second time and didn’t want to believe it.

“I was like, no, that has to be a false alarm. Cannot be again,” she said. “It was really disappointing, but what are you going to do?”

Bennett, from Santa Fe, N.M., was among a mass of patrons exiting Augusta National Golf Club on Wednesday afternoon after the club suspended play for inclement weather and closed the course around 1:20 p.m., for the second and final time. The Par-3 Contest was later cut short and left unfinished, with no winner.

Like Bennett, brothers-in-law Jack Simpson and Rod Meyerholtz, from Indiana, were only in Augusta for one day. After experiencing as much as possible in the morning, the two left with bags of merchandise and smiles despite having to leave early.

“It’s my first time at the Masters and it’s a great opportunity just to be on the course,” Simpson said. “It’s well worth the trip. Worth the cost, spent a lot of money, and had a great time.”

Meyerholtz said his day was done regardless.

“My wife lost her ticket, so she couldn’t get in a third time. We were done for the day anyway,” Meyerholtz said with a laugh.

An Aussie who came for the week, Jack Fairweather, wasn’t disappointed because he was returning the next day, but couldn’t help but feel a little sadness about the Par-3 Contest.

“We were just sitting down and saw a beautiful bunker shot off nine, then away we go,” he said.