Ike's Tree coin sells out fast at gift shop

Looking to buy one of the 350 limited edition gold coins honoring the 78th Masters and the now-departed Eisenhower Tree?

Too late.

Augusta National’s stock of the coins has been depleted. A February ice storm forced the club to cut down the damaged loblolly pine.

Commemorative coins are always among the hot commodities at the Masters, and the $125 gold coin featuring an image of Ike’s Tree sold out early Tuesday.

“I have eight, one for each year I have visited Augusta National,” Alma Jewell, of Salt Lake City, said of the coins. She bought this year's version Monday before rain and lightning closed the course.

Jewell paired the purchase with shirts and drink tumblers and plans to auction off most of the merchandise at her 15-year-old son’s high school for a fundraiser.

“My favorite is 2012,” she said of the coins, which she collects for fun. “That Masters logo had a peach in it.”

Bill Dobbs, a Masters regular, has attended the tournament 27 times and said the
phrase “the early bird gets the worm” has long applied to Augusta National memorabilia.

“It has gotten to the point where if there is an item you have in mind to buy, you better have a Monday practice round ticket,” said Dobbs, who was disappointed the coin was sold out when he arrived at the gift shop around 11 a.m. Tuesday.

In Dobbs’ bag was a half-dozen pink chevron designer jute bags, a popular item.

“I made sure I had one before I left,” Mark Wilson, 28, of Augusta, said of the $15 bags. “My girlfriend said I’d be in the doghouse if I didn’t.”

Patrons said this is the first year the bags were available in pink V-shaped patterns.

Other popular items were dog collars and leashes. Pat Attewell, of To­ron­­to, was attending his 21st Masters on Tuesday and was surprised to see the pet apparel in the gift shop.

“They’re perfect,” he said of the collars, which he bought for his two miniature schnauzers. “There’s nothing else they can possibly do now.”

Mike Atieh, a three-time Mas­ters patron, was also drawn to the collars. He said the club should display the merchandise more prominently, considering pet merchandise is a billion-dollar industry.

“Without a doubt, this is a big money maker,” Atieh said.

He bought a collar for the 5-year-old Cavalier King Charles-beagle mix named Yogi that his 30-year-old son has back home in New York. His son could not attend the tournament because of business.

“He’ll love this,” Atieh said.