Pool Pros at Augusta?

S

Scott Lee

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Since many of the top players are also excellent golfers, I figured some of them would likely be at the Masters in Augusta. I spotted Kim Davenport at the 15th green, when Tiger & Phil played through...and then again, a few minutes ago, when Chad Campbell was on the green. Since Kim is a golf nut, and living in Atlanta, it's not surprising that he made the trip to Augusta. Getting tickets for the final day is either great luck, or HUGE $$$...or both!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
 
Getting tickets (or "patron passes" as they are officially referred to) is pretty close to impossible. My understanding is the wait list got to be so many years long that they are not even accepting new names for the list. I believe the way it works is if you are an existing patron you are entitled to passes every year. So only those that do not renew go towards the wait list, and that's not too many. Also, if you get caught scalping or otherwise dealing off your passes you get booted. Certainly this happens but it is frowned upon under penalty of forfeiture if you get caught and that definitely discourages some of the aftermarket activity.
 
DogsPlayingPool...You're quite correct on this. My friends in Augusta have been "on the list" for more than 25 years, and consider themselves lucky. I have been able to use one of their passes a few times myself, and have been offered $5K in cash, from people outside the gate. I wouldn't even consider it, as it would be my friends who would suffer the consequences (if it had been mine, I'd have handed it over in a New York Second!). Security is very tight, and they have several ways to check for 'forged' tickets, etc.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

DogsPlayingPool said:
Getting tickets (or "patron passes" as they are officially referred to) is pretty close to impossible. My understanding is the wait list got to be so many years long that they are not even accepting new names for the list. I believe the way it works is if you are an existing patron you are entitled to passes every year. So only those that do not renew go towards the wait list, and that's not too many. Also, if you get caught scalping or otherwise dealing off your passes you get booted. Certainly this happens but it is frowned upon under penalty of forfeiture if you get caught and that definitely discourages some of the aftermarket activity.
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Wonder if there was any "pool prose" at the Masters? Perhaps someone there was reading either Pool Wars or Banking With the Beard.
 
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Kim has a real good friend (Earl also) who's a caddy. (Can't remember who for) Probably a pretty good chance he provided some help w/tickets.

Don't think Kim is going to spring for 5 K to attend....
 
Rick S....IIRC, the face value of the tickets is only a couple hundred dollars. But they scalp them for many times their face value...and have no shortage of people who want to buy them! You can see them clearly on Washington Road, outside the gates to Augusta National.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Rick S. said:
Kim has a real good friend (Earl also) who's a caddy. (Can't remember who for) Probably a pretty good chance he provided some help w/tickets.

Don't think Kim is going to spring for 5 K to attend....
Click to expand...
 
Scott Lee said:
Rick S....IIRC, the face value of the tickets is only a couple hundred dollars. But they scalp them for many times their face value...and have no shortage of people who want to buy them! You can see them clearly on Washington Road, outside the gates to Augusta National.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

I'm aware....scalping can be a very good business.

Thanks
 
Did you see those crowds, eight and ten deep everywhere? You had a much better view (and seat) watching on TV. :rolleyes:
 
I kinda feel sorry for the last pair. Almost noone was watching them compared to Phil and Tiger.
 
I thought that was KIM. I almost called my friend Stevie, who is Stuart Appleby's caddies but I wasnt sure he was there. Stevie likes pool and would have been more impressed that Kim was there that the fact Tiger was, HAHAHAHA !!!
 
Scott Lee said:
Rick S....IIRC, the face value of the tickets is only a couple hundred dollars...
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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I'm sure the tickets are very reasonable. $200 probably gets you all four rounds and the practice rounds. The concessions (food and beverage) are also well known to be reasonably priced. They are very careful to not gouge the patrons. Notice also that for many years CBS has had to agree to the club requirement that the TV coverage be done with way fewer commercials than normal golf telecasts. They want the tournament to be enjoyable to viewers and are very protective of the manner in which the event is portrayed on TV even though that means they get less money for the TV rights.

As golf clubs go Augusta National is quite unusual. While it is obviously one of the most exclusive clubs in the country, it is not even close to being expensive to join, even by middle class standards. This figure may be a few years old but as I recall the initiation fee was only something like $35K and the monthly dues are only like $350. The Masters brings soooo much money into the club that it simply does not cost the membership very much to keep the doors open. Of course that doesn't mean anyone with $35K can join. ;)

Also not widely known is the millions the club give to charity each year from the tournament windfall. Unlike the PGA tour and most others though, Augusta National is very tight lipped about this and very quietly donate the funds. But I understand it to be millions every year.
 
I can tell you that there were more than a couple of notables from the pool industry here in Augusta this weekend. Of course, with the way the population grows this week, I stay the heck away from the downtown/Washington Rd. area. Just not worth the hassle. And as it was said earlier, you have a better view watching on television.
 
My wonderful Tv

jay helfert said:
Did you see those crowds, eight and ten deep everywhere? You had a much better view (and seat) watching on TV. :rolleyes:
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What a horror I had,,On a leather recliner, food,drink,remote, I watched 2 baseball games, basketball and golf..set the remote for all four events and never missed a pitch,putt,dunk all at the same time, it was killing me.
Watched Cabrera pound that one off the tree ( clunk ) on instant replay a few times.
The only thing I look for in the crowd ( If I look ) are the good looking women.
Sunova I missed Kim.
Took a short nap and went to the pool hall.
Made one shot in 4 hours. Straight in stop shot abot 8'' away. My day was complete went home watched sportscenter,,,same recliner

What a horror
 
Was Kim standing behind the Tee box? Behind the PROS hitting the Golf balls?

Kim was out of action waiting the outcome (cash settlement) of his GOLF accident (being hit in the eye) a few years ago.

This would have been the place to get whacked in the eye... you'd retire easily.

BTW while living in Cincinnati and having Vendors like IBM courting our business, tickets for Augusta in April were pretty difficult to turn down. Our company had a very strict policy about these 'golf outings' only VPs and above could go.
 
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Go to Columbus instead

Muirfield Village was designed to basically recreate Augusta in Ohio by the smartest golfer of all time, Jack.
It costs $170 for the week, you'll see a better field and there is no waiting list. Very pro military, Tuesdays are free to all military, active, reserve and retired. The Memorial is right below the Majors and The Players in prestige and second to none in facilities and strength of field. Good value if you love golf.
 
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