Patron hasn't missed Masters since 1960

On April 7, 1960, Pete Pe­ters walked into Augusta National Golf Club for the first time. Fifty-six years later, the Aiken resident hasn’t missed a Masters Tournament since.

“I was 8 the first time I came to the Masters,” said Peters, who owns Oreck of Au­gus­ta. “I tell you what, it never gets old.”

As a child, Peters had an appreciation for golf history. Instead of following the likes of Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus in the mid-1960s, Peters
was drawn to past champions.

“I’m a real history buff – even as a child,” he said. “I used to love following Demaret, Snead, Nelson or Hogan. There was something very unique about seeing those guys. They dressed differently. Those are memories I’ll never forget.”

Throughout more than five decades in attendance, Peters has seen many changes at Augusta National.

The crowds have grown. The course was lengthened. The badge prices have risen from $12.50 in 1960 to $325 today.

Still, Peters says certain aspects remain the same.

“The one constant has been course conditions,” he said Thursday morning near the main leaderboard. “It was perfect in 1960 and it’s still that way. I
mean, just look around this place.”

Asked about his favorite Masters memory, Peters traveled back 50 years.

“It was the mid-1960s, and there used to be a water boy on some tee boxes to hand players a cup,” Peters said. “Well, I told the water boy on 16, ‘Hey, I know you
probably want to see the course, and I’ll swap places with you.’”

The kid agreed and Peters spent two days as a water boy at the famed par-3 hole.

“I handed cups to Nick­laus and Palmer,” Peters recalled. “I’ll never forget, a bunch of players smoked back in those days, and Palmer put out his cigarette on 16. Next thing I know I feel a tap on my shoulder and a lady asked
me to get the cigarette for her. She wanted it for a souvenir.”

Peters still appreciates golf history but says he’s pulling this year for a Masters rookie.

“I’ve got to go with (Kevin) Kis­ner,” Peters said. “We attend the same church in Aiken, so it would be great to see a local guy win.”