Gallery guards cherish relationships made at No. 1

For one week a year, the first hole at Augusta National Golf Club is a microcosm of the United States.

The 32 gallery guards working No. 1 during the Mas­ters Tournament hail from across the nation, including California, Georgia, Louisiana, Illinois, Maine, Min­nesota, North Caro­lina, Okla­homa, Tennes­see and Texas.

These volunteers said the world becomes a smaller place after crossing paths and developing friendships with residents of different states.

Even if they live thousands of miles away from each other during the rest of the year, the guards discover they share more than an interest in golf.

Ron Moody, originally of Sugarloaf, Maine, wanted a break from cold temperatures and shoveling snow when he began volunteering as a gallery guard 15 years ago. The relationships he makes in Augusta are well-worth the costs of a plane trip, housing and meals during Masters Week, he said.

“We e-mail back and forth throughout the year,” Moody said. “It’s like an extended family.”

Six years ago, he moved to Lake Oconee, about 80 miles west of Augusta, because of his affinity for Georgia and the hospitality he was shown during the Masters.

The gallery guards, most of whom volunteer year after year, return to Augusta each May to play Augusta National.

“It’s an expansion of your life experience you wouldn’t have otherwise,” said Ron Calahan, of Nashville, Tenn. “You’d never get that exposure to such a wide variety of people.”

When other guards visit Cala­han, he takes them to play a round of golf.

Dwight Belew, of Mount Juliet, Tenn., said his gallery guard friends drop in on the jewelry store he owns when they visit nearby Nashville. They call one another during the year just to check up and say hello.

“You know about their family and about their kids,” Belew said. “It adds to the overall experience.”

Ken Warnock, who travels from Swainsboro, Ga., about 65 miles south of Augusta, estimated that one-third of the first-hole gallery guards live in Georgia. He said more guards are assigned to No. 1 than other holes because of the foot traffic and layout.

“It’s almost like a fraternity,” Warnock said. “I’m
back every year to see the guys you only get to see once a year.”