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Collecting autographs is big part of Masters Week

Posted April 9, 2013, 1:17 pm
BY |
Staff Writer

Self-proclaimed duffer Ron Tanaka had two things in mind when he went to watch the pros practice at the Augusta National Golf Club driving range: see how good they really are, and collect some autographs.

“Watching these guys, they make it look so easy,” the Los Angeles resident said.

Tanaka didn’t have as much success with his second goal – his yellow Masters Tournament souvenir flag had just three signatures.

“Kids get them easiest,” he said. “And they should.”

Nearby, Nikita Romanov, 11, had perfected the craft of collecting golfer autographs. A big smile, good manners and persistence helped him fill his yellow flag with more than two dozen signatures.

“I can just put them in a picture frame in my room, maybe,” said Nikita, who is from the Philadelphia area. “It’s going to inspire me through all the pain and anguish. To help me follow my dreams and try to become one of these pros.”

Young patrons stood along a green fence wistfully watching golfers leave the driving range. Several children said they would wait all day for autographs from Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy passed by but didn’t stop to sign.

“He must have something important to do,” Nikita said. “I’ll try again.”

BY THE BOOK

Autograph-seeking is allowed only on the Washington Road side of the clubhouse near the new practice facilities. Don’t bother players on the course; it’s prohibited.