Storm lead to pimento panic attack

There was momentary panic for some patrons of Augusta National Golf Club as they arrived Tuesday.

Shelves with one of the staples of the Masters experience, the pimento cheese sandwich, were empty.

The severe thunderstorm that came through Augusta about 3:30 a.m. had caused a power outage at the production center for pimento and egg salad sandwiches.

Around lunchtime, only the concession stand near the patron corridor had any of the coveted sandwiches in stock.

"We were in disbelief when we walked in and heard there were no sandwiches," said Reed Clevenger, of Cary, N.C., who came to the tournament with a friend and both men's sons.

"We told (our sons) even if you don't like it, you have to try the pimento cheese at least once."

Luckily, the group got to taste the peppery cheese when they found the lone concession stand selling the sandwiches.

"They'll probably be eating egg salad, pimento, clubs and everything else before we leave here," Clevenger said. "You can eat 20 sandwiches a day and spend just $20. The price is right."

As power was restored Tuesday, vendors expected enough pimento cheese to go around for the rest of the week.