Masters patrons savor snacks, empty cups as souvenirs

Cindy Benway and Chuck Hilborn, of Jupiter, Fla., found just about anything with a Masters logo to take home as a souvenir, including two bags of peanuts from the concession stands.

“It’s such a special thing to get to be here,” Benway said. “Anything to take home is great.”

Benway and Hilborn saved eight plastic drink cups from beers and sweet tea that quenched their thirst during Sunday’s final round. In three years of attending the Masters, they have collected about two dozen cups to use around the swimming pool.

Drinks helped wash down pimento cheese sandwiches, which Benway said she loves to eat while talking to other patrons.

“No one has their cell phones, so we can actually talk to people without being distracted,” she said. “Where else do you have that?”

After watching Sunday’s leaders tee off on No. 8, Randy Adams, Steven Long, Jen Hartlage and Tripp Bowden took a break for beers, cigars and storytelling.

“This is holy ground,” said Adams, of Tuscaloosa, Ala. “We’re just soaking it all in.”

The friends planned to pick up their chairs and find a spot on No. 15 to watch the tournament’s conclusion.

“The 15th will make or break you,” Adams said.