Early weather delay doesn't deter legions of Masters patrons

The steady rain Tuesday morning may have soaked Augusta National, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of first-time visitor Ann Zimmerman.

Zimmerman, from Louisville, Ky., arrived at the club around 7 a.m. and was one of the first patrons to explore the merchandise shop.

“Rain, shine — honestly, I’m just so grateful to be here,” Zimmerman said. “There are way worse places to spend a rainy morning than at the Masters.”

Photos: Tuesday Masters Patrons 

Zimmerman, who was with her husband, Dale, was in search of Christmas and birthday gifts for their three children. The couple also did some shopping for themselves.

Dale quickly bagged a Masters house flag, while Ann got a pair of wine glasses.

“Of course you’d like it to be sunny,” said Dale, who attended a practice round in 2011, “but it’s still Augusta National. We’ll make the best out of today.”

In addition to the Zimmermans, hundreds of patrons used the merchandise shop as a way to escape the weather. Robert Thurman, of Knoxville, Tenn., said he always intended to shop, but, “I might stay a little longer now.”

“I’m in no rush to go back outside,” Thurman said. “Just bad luck, I guess. You get one day to come to the Masters and this is our day. It’s unfortunate.”

Thurman, who didn’t bring an umbrella, bought one Tuesday morning.

"I’d imagine these will go fast today,” he said.

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As Phil Mickelson stood under his green and white umbrella being interviewed, Sergio Garcia was on the range smashing shots off the tee, with rain pouring down on him.

Spectator Randy Wicker positioned himself so he’d have the perfect view of both.

The Crossroads, Texas, resident said there was no place he’d rather be than at Augusta National watching the best players on the planet.

“I feel like I’m in heaven,” Wicker said. “I mean, this is the most beautiful venue of golf. My grandson, he’s a young golfer and he’s very excited to be here and see the course.”

Despite a 15-hour road trip, he wasn’t bothered with a soaking rain.

Photos: Tuesday Masters Practice Round

“As long as we got to see heaven, the rain doesn’t bother me,” Wicker said with a grin.

The three-time visitor said his goal for the day was to watch his grandson enjoy seeing the golfers and attempt to find him a few autographs.

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Friends Mark Fowler and Bryan Hicks were watching the professionals chip and putt when the alarm went off Tuesday morning, asking spectators to temporarily evacuate the course due to bad weather.

“It does put a bit of a damper on everything,” Fowler said. “Hopefully this will pass through quickly and we can get back out here.”

Fowler, who hails from Great Britain, said he is excited to see 1991 Masters winner Ian Woosnam, from Wales, as well as Irishman Rory McIlroy.

The 55-year-old’s co-worker, Hicks, said he was amazed with the scenery and that television cameras can’t catch everything in terms of beauty.

“Everything being green,” Hicks said was his first thought entering the course. “Walking in and seeing the slope of the greens, it doesn’t do it justice on TV.”

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Dan Richardson came to Augusta with his 27-year-old daughter Sam for the second year in a row.

“We’ll wait it out,” Sam said before the morning weather delay. “Even though it’s raining, it's still a magical experience. The rain kind of brightens the colors and still gives it the feel of the Masters. Rain’s an issue but its not the worst thing ever, you’re still here.”

Richardson lives in Le Claire, Iowa, and is a fan of 2007 Masters winner Zach Johnson due to him being sponsored by John Deere, the company he and Sam work for.

“I’d like to see Zach Johnson do well,” Richardson said. “He’s from Cedar Rapids near where I’m at. He’s a local guy. John Deere sponsors Zach and he always comes to the John Deere Classic. We appreciate that.”

The two said the first thing they did was grab an egg salad sandwich when they arrived. After eating pimento cheese sandwiches last year, the two decided to make the switch. 

Richardson said he enjoys the atmosphere of Augusta National even more than seeing the professionals.

“For me it's 60 percent the course,” Richardson said. “The other 40 percent is getting to see some of the players we watch on TV.”

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Kathryn Troy and her husband, Trevor Stuart-Hill, were visiting for the first time and wanted to get as much done during their four-day trip — shop, eat and spectate.

“We’re thankful we came here yesterday,” Troy said. “It was supposed to pour yesterday but it ended up being beautiful so we’re thankful for that.”

The couple spent $1,200 at the merchandise shop Monday and made sure to show off their purchases.

Stuart-Hill sported his white 2019 Masters cap and light-blue Masters polo. Troy wore her blue visor that featured a large yellow Masters logo in the center.

The Parker, Colo., residents tried all the food they could and looked forward to tasting even more.

“It’s been delicious,” Troy said. “We had the pimento cheese, chicken sandwich, egg salad sandwich, some beer, the Georgia peach ice cream sandwich and popcorn.”

Sam said the pimento cheese sandwich was her top choice.

“It’s such a traditional sandwich that you don’t get in Colorado,” Sam said. “And it’s fresh.”

A pleasant surprise occurred for the pair Monday when they stumbled upon Masters legends Fred Couples and Tiger Woods on the 17th hole during their practice round.

Stuart-Hill said that watching the professionals play golf was incredible.

“It’s fun to watch their stroke and how they hit the ball,” Stuart-Hill said. “It’s a different sound when it comes off their club.”