Bad weather temporarily put some Masters experiences on hold

John McGraw and his stepfather, Mark Niedert, stood in the autograph area Tuesday afternoon at Augusta National Golf Club, waiting for Zach Johnson to come through so they could get his signature.

Niedert really wanted to meet Johnson after he sold the golfer’s sisters’ house in Iowa.

Photos: Tuesday Masters Patrons

Niedert said he was standing in the kitchen with Johnson’s sister, not knowing who she was, when she told him she might be headed to Georgia because her brother was a professional golfer.

“I asked who and she said Zach Johnson, and that’s when I kind of hit the floor,” Niedert said. “She was kind enough to get an autographed flag for me from 2007 when he won the Masters and I have that hanging proudly in my golf room at my house.”

McGraw and Niedert traveled from Des Moines on Monday and were going to be in Augusta for just the day.

McGraw, 41, said he was definitely nervous about the weather when fans were required to evacuate the course for a couple of hours earlier in the day. The two men tried to stay on the course as long as they could before they were ushered out.

“We were here for 15 minutes before they blew the horn,” McGraw said. “We knew it was going to be a bit of a stretch today. Getting back in was like an hour wait. It was crazy.”

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Becky Watts was walking around the chipping greens, snapping photos of various golfers.

The Tempe, Ariz., resident arrived was enjoying the sixth day of her week-long trip to Augusta. Her three favorite golfers were Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth. Although, she said she probably had too many favorite golfers to count.

“I’m trying to get everybody,” Watts said as she continued to shoot photos.

Watts went on to say she was disappointed when the weather delay happened and wasn’t sure if she’d be able to get back on the course. Things got better for her when they sun reappeared.

“I was really relieved because we had only been here for a half hour when we got here and then they said we had to leave,” Watts said.

Watts said when she was allowed back on the course she went straight to the shop to buy a variety of gifts.

“I got a bunch of hats and visors,” Watts said. “I’m a golfer and I have friends in Arizona so I bought them all stuff they wanted. Then some of the guys I know they wanted hats and towels for their bags.”

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Glenn Pope and John Donaldson from Clinton, N.C., stood under a tree in the shade as they watched Ian Poulter practice hitting out of a bunker.

Pope has been to the Masters 11 times and has seen legends Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer make appearances during the practice rounds.

“That was always enjoyable for a young man to see those kinds of players,” Pope said. “Recently I’ve been following the names you would expect. Tiger Woods and some of the younger guys like Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose and a lot of the European players.”

For Donaldson, it was his second trip to Augusta. He said both visits were equally great.

“The first time I brought my whole family, but this time I brought my son and my friends,” Donaldson said. “It’s a good experience. It’s run so well. You don’t have to wait long for anything.”

Both men said their main goal was to watch the world’s best golfers work on their craft.

“I’d love to see Matt Kuchar,” Donaldson said. “Jason Day is chipping right over there. When you watch them on TV, you know them all.”

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Bob Uppenamp and his friend Gib Lundquist hadn’t been inside Augusta National but a couple of hours before play was suspended Tuesday morning and the course evacuateddue to incoming storms.

Photos: Tuesday Masters Practice Round

Uppenkamp wasn’t sure he was going to get to complete his first Masters experience.

“It’s pretty wet out there. I didn’t think – I thought they were like, ‘All right, we’ve had enough people out there, let’s cut them off for the day and hopefully it dries out,’” Uppenkamp said as he joined the masses returning to the course. “There’s pumps going on, they’re working out there just to get the water moving.”

Uppenkamp said around 12:15 p.m., the patrons that left started to pile back in front of the north gate when they learned the course would reopen.

“They would let one group in and then hold us, so it was pretty organized,” he said. “They did it in stages and let us all back in, in stages, so it worked out good.”

Uppenkamp said he’s nearly seen almost the entire course, but still wants to see Nos. 1-4 before he returns to Orlando. He also has a “laundry list” of items to get from the merchandise shop.

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Michael Goodwin, his dad Bruce and brother Chris, all made the trip from Boston to attend their first Masters. The rain almost spoiled their once-in-a-lifetime chance.

“It’s one of (his dad’s) bucket list items so, (we’re) very, very happy to get back in,” Michael Goodwin said.

When Goodwin saw the forecast, he wasn’t too worried about being out in the rain. Coming from Boston, he said he’s used to spectating in inclement weather. But when they got evacuated, he was fearful their trip would get cut short.

They’ got to see a few holes and some players on the practice range, but hadn’t made it to the more popular spots on the course. After returning, they couldn’t wait to witness some of the Masters practice-round traditions.

“We got to see the range, got to see the 18th, Nos. 1, 10, 18 and concessions,” Goodwin said. “That was about it. (Now, we’re going to) go down to Amen Corner and then catch 16 so we can see some pros skip some balls.”