Augusta National adds observation stand at 14th hole

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Patrons in the new grandstand near the 14th green watch Sergio Garcia, K.J. Choi and David Toms during the second round. The grandstand can seat more than 300.

First-time Masters Tournament visitors Jeanne Grill and Peggy Halverson have nice chairs back home in Tampa, Fla., but they said none is as comfortable as the plastic seats they sat in Friday.

“And you can’t beat the view,” said Grill, one of the first fans to take advantage of the new observation stand set up by the green on No. 14.

“You can see all the way down to 13 green if you get in that top corner,” Halverson said.

The grandstand holds more than 300 patrons, but a volunteer who has helped around the green the past three years said “so far, it’s only been full when Tiger’s gone through. Nobody realizes it’s here yet. It’s a great idea, though.”

The 440-yard, par-4 14th hole is viewable tee to green. Behind the stands is the 11th fairway; the 15th tee is to the right. The prime sight is seeing whether players are equal to the challenge of the humped 14th green, first with approaches and then with putts. The pin was back right Friday, on the top shelf.

“It’s so good to watch them putt from up here,” Grill said.

The site used to slope steeply toward No. 11; now it’s been made level to make room for the grandstand and the gallery walking behind it. The road behind the grandstand was moved back a bit and some trees were removed.

“We’ve always wanted to come here,” said Halverson, who has attended PGA Tour events before. “But there’s no comparison to this. None.”

Said Grill: “The fairways, all the grass, it looks like something from Disney World. Almost not real.”