While investigators will be on the lookout for ticket scalpers today and this weekend, many illegal Masters Tournament badge purchases have already been made far away from the Augusta National Golf Club.

``These deals that are made scalping these badges are done via telephone, in a nightclub, and it's just not as open,'' said Chief Deputy Ronald Strength of the Richmond County Sheriff's Department. ``They're done well before the tournament.''

Two people were arrested Wednesday for ticket scalping on Washington Road. Authorities said they were trying to sell badges at a price higher than face value.

Paul Perez, 30, of Austin, Texas, was charged with ticket scalping, a misdemeanor. James Kennedy, 48, of Daytona Beach, Fla., was charged with soliciting, also a misdemeanor.

Investigators probably will arrest about four to six more scalpers before the tournament ends on Sunday, Strength said, if past year's arrest numbers hold.

``Once you get into the weekend, we don't have near the folks trying to scalp during those days,'' he said. ``If it was done, it was done prior to the tournament. It's not as prevalent or widespread as during the practice rounds.''

Many scalped badges are sold by brokers through ticket companies on the Internet or through advertisements. Perez works for Austin Ticket Company and had several badges on him at the time of his arrest, Strength said.

``Some of these companies send people down four weeks prior to the tournament and they try to buy as many badges as possible,'' he said. ``They'll then turn around and sell them for outrageous prices.''

Some scalpers ask for as much as $3,000 to 4,000 for one four-day badge, which normally goes for $100, Strength said.