Fan notes

BEING ONE OF THE biggest Aus­tra­lian retailers for Mohawk In­dus­tries has its advantages: A green-and-gold-decked crew of six gets to cheer their country’s competitors at the Masters Tournament.

“We would love to see Jason Day win,” said Shaun McGovern, wearing a shirt with the Austra­lian national colors, the same as colleagues Tony McCosker and Allin Dingwill.

The men, who are enjoying three days at Augusta National Golf Club this week, were hanging around the first tee of the Par-3 Course on Wednesday, where McCosker snagged a photo with countryman Marc Leishman.

Mc­Govern said the highlight so far has been “seeing Jason Day play the Par-3 with his kids.”

DOUG WEIS’ TRIP to Au­gusta Na­tio­nal came about in an unusual way.

A near-fatal wreck occurred last year when he and his wife hit an icy patch or pothole near his New Jersey home. A cut to the head required 35 staples, and Weis credits his 2015 Mercedes-Benz with saving their lives.

“I went and said, ‘Give me the same car,’” he said.

As a result, Weis became a guest of Mercedes for this year’s Masters, staying at the automaker’s spread of Masters rentals at Ri­ver Island development in Evans.

Weis said the group enjoyed a talk with golfer Rickie Fowler and ESPN announcer Scott Van Pelt on Tuesday evening.

“It’s surreal watching how people act, people with the golf etiquette,” he said. “I’ve never seen this many people of the same quality.”

LARYNGITIS WASN’T going to slow Nashville, Tenn., home builder Will Coles’ three-day trip to Au­gus­ta National.

“This happens to me every so often,” Coles whispered.

He didn’t feel bad – he was just hoarse – and enjoyed Tuesday’s practice round and Wednesday’s Par-3 Contest with side trips to Berckmans Place.

RAKESH PATEL’S first visit to Au­gus­ta Na­tional was for the Par-3 Con­­test for his brother’s 50th birthday.

“I’ve not seen a course in such immaculate condition,” said Patel, of London. “It’s a very positive environment.”

The brothers are staying with a cousin in Atlanta and bought their Par-3 tickets online.

“I’d love to come on a (tournament) day,” he said, “but it’s cost-prohibitive.”

COOKEVILLE, TENN., magazine publishers Daniel and Rachel Sutton took photos at Amen Corner after a day at the Par-3 Contest on their first visit to Augusta National.

“Everything about it was incredible,” Daniel Sutton said of the day at the course. “We saw Gary Player hit a hole-in-one on seven, and that was great.”

– Susan McCord, staff writer