Will spectators roam the grounds at Augusta National when the second Masters in six months rolls through this April?
That’s still the hope, although an email to ticket holders seems a sad realization that a second tournament will be greatly influenced by COVID.
“As planning continues on how to stage the 2021 Masters Tournament safely and responsibly, we would like to inform you that Augusta National is delaying the ticket process for Patron Series Badges, which traditionally begins Jan. 1,” an email said, according to ESPN.com.
“Our intention is to communicate our decisions for the 2021 Masters to all patrons of record by the end of January. No further action is needed with your account at this time.”
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The delay doesn’t necessarily mean plans for the 2021 event have changed, but it shows that Augusta National Golf Club is trying to buy a little time to solidify a plan for the 85th edition of the famed tournament,
The 2020 event won by Dustin Johnson was held with just a few volunteers and auxiliary staff on the grounds, which made for a peculiar vibe.
But players insisted it’s special playing Augusta National under any circumstances.
“There are no bad days out here, and without the grandstands, without all that, people can see and appreciate it,” Augusta native Charles Howell III said. “There’s different angles and different layouts and different ways you can play a hole.”
“Whether there’s fans or not, we’re playing the same golf course and trying to shoot the low score and beat the same players that we have to try and do every single year,” Jordan Spieth added. “It doesn’t change with the patrons. It’s just kind of more the ambiance and what really makes the Masters that next level special is the patrons, but as a competitor, it’s really no change.”
One interesting angle is how Augusta National might retract tickets from those who had been told their 2020 badges or practice round tickets would roll over to the 2021 event if a smaller number of patrons are allowed to attend.
The deadline to apply for 2021 practice rounds and daily tournament tickets was June 21.
The cost for practice round tickets was $75, while daily tournament tickets were listed at $115.
The 2021 Masters will be held April 5-11.
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