Tennessee man gets probation for trying to enter Masters Tournament with phony badge

Article Photos

A Tennessee man who tried to slip into this year's Masters Tournament with a phony badge was sentenced to one-year probation Thursday.

Nelson Parks, 62, of Nashville, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to forgery. After paying a $375 fine, the cost of a real Masters Tournament patron credential, Parks will be on unsupervised probation under the First Offender Act.

"I can't tell you how embarrassed I am," Parks said.

He had attended the annual golf tournament since his father brought him in 1975. But this year, his brother lost the tickets.

On April 12, he tried to enter the Augusta National Golf Club with a phony badge.

Parks said it broke his heart to know he won't be back. Assistant District Attorney Tianna Bias asked the judge to ban Parks from the Augusta National as a condition of probation. Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. responded he was sure that won't be necessary.

Parks' photograph is probably posted as prominently as Al Capone, the judge said.