Fan notes: Out for a buck

Mark Teshioan and Frank Ver­ducci know an investment opportunity when they see one.

When a drive hooked into the woods on No. 9, the two Houston energy investors seized the opportunity to make a quick buck, betting $1 over whether two-time Masters champ Jose Maria Ola­zabal could hit his errant tee shot onto the green.

Teshioan left the richer man.

“He’ll shoot the gap,” Ver­ducci whispered as Olazabal planned his next shot, a 180-yarder guarded by two pine trees, an uphill fairway and two bunkers. “It’s a punch job.”

“No way,” Teshoian said, Olazabal a foot in front of him. “It’s the Masters. He’ll go for it.”

The two were amazed at how the Spaniard completed the daring maneuver, coming within a few feet of the pin.

“That was pretty sweet,” Teshoian said. “It’s not often you get to see a hook shot up close.”

The two friends, who have more than 10 years of transactional experience in the oil and gas industry, have made a tradition of visiting Augusta Na­tional each spring for the past three years.

Their routine started Fri­day at No. 16, where they dropped off their chairs and headed to the gift shop.

After buying $1,500 in merchandise, they grabbed a biscuit and worked their way back to their “base of operations,” a panoramic view of the 15th and 16th greens.

“You have to get a spot early or they’ll run out,” Teshoian said.

FRIEND ON THE COURSE: Otto Ellerstron and wife, Eva, of Sweden, found their Friday morning spot on the greens of Augusta Na­tional’s practice facility, where longtime neighbor Pe­ter Hanson was practicing his putts before his morning tee time.

The last time the couple saw Hanson, who helped get them tickets to the Masters, was on No. 18, where he bogeyed to finish the first round at 6-over 78.

“He did not have his best day, but what do you say?” asked Otto Ellerstron, who has known Hanson nearly 20 years.

Otto said he and his wife briefly talked to Hanson after the first day but kept the conversation casual to not discourage the golfer.

“We talked about how the course is constructed,” said Eva Ellerstron, who has watched the Masters on television with her husband for the past 15 years. “Unless you see it in person, you can’t even begin to understand how the elevation and design of the course make it so difficult.”

SOUTHERN STYLE: While Amen Cor­ner typically draws the largest crowds, PGA golf pro Will Johnson said he spends most of his time at Augusta Na­tional at the Tournament Practice Range.

“That’s the highlight of my trip,” said Johnson, a pro at Effer’s Custom Golf Center in Cin­cinnati, Ohio.

Johnson, who was attending his fourth Masters, said of the golf tournaments he has attended, which include Ryder Cups, only the Me­mor­ial Tournament stacks up well against the Masters.

“The Southern hospitality here is exceptional,” said Johnson, giving the nod to the Masters. “I must have been told good morning by 30 employees today and it isn’t even 10:30.”