Monday's Foul weather brings disappointment to fans

‘THAT STINKS’: At first, Woody Budnik prayed the loudspeaker announcement was merely a test.

When he heard the message a second time Monday, he knew lightning and rain had ruined his cross-country trip from Seattle to see Augusta National Golf Club, one of the final two items remaining on the 79-year-old’s bucket list. The other is catching a halibut.

“There’s no way that can be,” Budnik said after hearing that play was suspended and that patrons had to leave. “That stinks.”

His daughter gave him and his wife, Barbara, an all-expenses-paid trip to Augusta for Christmas.

The couple, who have been married for 53 years, got on the grounds at 9 a.m. An hour later, the course closed. Augusta Na­tional later canceled play for the day.

The Budniks were able to see only the concession stand and the first and second holes, where they watched 2010 U.S. Open champ Graeme McDowell tee off.

“We figured we could handle the rain, but the course shutting down is out of our control,” said Barbara Budnik, 73. “It’s a beautiful course; I would have liked to see more.”

QUICK TOUR: Augusta National first-timers Earl and Janet Wilson, both 32, said they entered the course at 8 a.m., expecting rain.

“Our main goal was to start at the 18th hole and work our way back,” said Earl Wilson, of Knox­ville, Tenn. “We split a pimento cheese sandwich, drank two Diet Cokes and ran the course in 45 minutes. It was worth it.”

Among the areas the couple saw were Amen Corner and the wooded area off No. 10 where Bub­ba Watson hit a dramatic wedge shot in 2012 to win the Mas­ters.

“My first step onto the grass, I could instantly imagine the tournament’s legendary shots, hear the crowd roar and share in memories with other patrons,” said Wilson, who had to drive back to Tennessee on Monday for work. “It was a priceless experience.”

As soon as the crowd cleared, the Wilsons said, they planned to begin their drive home. Others weren’t ready to give up so easily.

“We’re not leaving,” said Tim Mills, who was visiting with his wife, Tracy; daughter, Jessica; and future son-in-law, Blake Corbin.

The family was disappointed by the weather. The engaged cou­ple, who saw the Sara­zen Bridge together and watched Brandt Snedeker, Andy North and Ken Duke practice, will wed in June.

“It was hard to sleep I was so excited,” Corbin said about coming to the Masters.

GOOD FOR BUSINESS: Umbrellas and windbreakers dominated merchandise sales before patrons were sent home.

“People were knocking each over for umbrellas,” said Heidi Day, whose husband, John, was able to snag two $45 golf umbrellas about 9:45 a.m., 15 minutes before patrons were asked to leave the grounds. Also in the Atlanta couple’s shopping bag were a $24 Masters hat and a $75 windbreaker pullover.

David Briggs, of upstate New York, said rain jackets were in such high demand that he was separated from his family while inside the club’s gift shop.

“Displaying the merchandise high definitely helped,” said Briggs, who was wearing the $75 rain jacket he bought while waiting to reunite with family outside the gift shop.