Binoculars give patron a good view

Black binoculars helped Robyn Martin, of Ontario, Canada, see far down the 10th fairway where Tiger Woods, Luke Donald and Scott Piercy lined up their putts.

Martin, an avid golfer, said she was watching players’ routines and swings.

“It’s fantastic to actually see their club action, and when they are on the green, you can actually see the roll of the ball,” she said.

The lightweight binoculars on loan from her aunt allowed her to better see the players, Martin said.

Earl and Kathy Williams, of Evans, sat at the 18th green in folding chairs they bought more than 30 years ago at the Masters Tournament.

The chairs with light green fabric, unlike the dark green of newer chairs, likely cost less than $5, Earl Williams said. They are lighter to carry than newer versions, he said.

The couple has missed the golf event only a few times since first attending in 1970.

“It’s fun to see people who are here for their first time and see what they experience compared to what we know,” he said.

Steve Ganshirt, of Chicago, celebrated his 50th birthday relaxing on the sloping hill overlooking the 16th green.

At the end of the day, Ganshirt kicked off his shoes and laid back as the sun descended behind pine and magnolia trees. The Masters trip was a present from his brother-in-law.

“Very nice, comfortable, shaded,” he said about the viewing spot.

Ganshirt saw amateur Nathan Smith barely miss a hole-in-one on the par-3 16th.

“It was within inches,” Ganshirt said.

A stack of 13 green plastic Masters cups wasn’t all Casey Peak, of Lexington, Ky., had to show for his first visit to the tournament. He had another tall stack in the car.

“I’ve heard they are keepsakes so I did not want to let go of them,” Peak said.

Peak start collecting the cups early in the morning. He said he’d keep a few and give the others to friends who have never attended the Masters.