Masters gnome must go home, souvenir shoppers say

Tim Thornton turned to his wife, Sheila, and said five words: We have to get one.

Monday marked Thorn­ton’s 15th trip to Augusta National Golf Club, while the Memphis, Tenn., native admits, “Every year there’s something new I have to buy.”

To Thornton’s surprise, this year’s item came in the form of a miniature bearded man.

“This garden gnome might be my all-time favorite purchase,” Thornton said. “I mean, everyone has a Masters hat or T-shirt but how many people can say they have one of these?”

The gnome, which costs $39, is one of many new items in the Masters merchandise building. According to store employee Christopher Carrier, some of the most popular items have been in the collection designed by Catstudio.

Catstudio-designed frosted glasses, pillows, hand towels and a poster.

“They’re flying off the shelves,” said Carrier, who came to work at the Masters from New Hampshire. “It seems like every 10 minutes we have to bring out more frosted glasses.”

Charles Kastel, of Charleston, bought of pair of the frosted glasses for $35.

“They’re definitely unique,” Kastel said of the glasses. “But that’s another great thing about the Masters Tournament – it seems like every year there’s something new and different in the pro shop.”

Carrier, who is in his fourth year working in the merchandise building, echoed Kastel’s statement: “(They) make a point of bringing in new items each year. Sometimes they’re a hit. Sometimes a bust. But hey, you never know until you put it on the shelves.”

Also new to the gift shop are ceramic coasters.

The coasters cost $14 and each one depicts a different feature of the course. The coasters include the Augusta National clubhouse, the Hogan Bridge, hole Nos. 1, 5, 11 and 12.

“I might have to get one of each,” Michael Matthews, of Slidell, La., said of the coasters. “It seems like everyone in Louisiana placed an order with me, but I could care less. I’m at Augusta National.”