Augusta National gives entrance overhaul

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Patrons buy food and drinks at South Village, a shop that carries on the architectural look visitors are accustomed to.
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Patrons purchase merchandise at one of the souvenir stands during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
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Patrons buy food and drinks at South Village, a new concessions and gift area, during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, April 10, 2014.
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Lynn Woods, of Eatonton, Ga., pays Nachelle Roddy in the South Village concessions area.
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Patrons buy food and drinks at South Village, a new concessions area, during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday, April 10, 2014.

Masters Tournament patron Ashley Brown did a double take when he entered Augusta National Golf Club’s Gate 9.

“As we walked in, we were like, ‘Whoa, what happened here?’” he said.

The pipe-smoking visitor from Perry, Ga., soon realized that the new South Village “actually feels more original to the course” than the previous scattering of concessions and restrooms near the No. 5 green.

Masters Chairman Billy Payne announced Wednesday that South Village, completed last summer, “embraces the architectural style of the Augusta look, which we believe our patrons expect and appreciate.”

Brown said the green-painted village, which includes new tiled restrooms, concessions, a gift shop and check stand, had an added benefit to visitors who enter through Gate 9 near the south end of the course.

“You don’t really feel like you’re coming in the back door of the National anymore,” he said.

Charlie Robertson, who was raised in nearby National Hills subdivision, said, “I think every change they’ve made is wonderful.”

David Patman, of Macon, Ga., was pleased with the village.

“It blends in so well with everything,” he said. “I think it’s fantastic. Everything here is first class.”