Masters fans use tips to get best viewing spots

FATHER-SON VACATION: Matt Kocent, 17, is on spring break from school in Philadelphia, but he didn’t mind waking up at 5:30 a.m. on his vacation Thursday.

Matt and his father, Mark, were one of the first groups in line at Gate 9 around 7 a.m., ready to plant chairs at their favorite spot at Augusta National Golf Club.

They set up on No. 12, where patrons can see action on Amen Corner.

“Like my son said earlier, every moment from beginning to end until they ask us to leave, we’ll stay at the course today,” Kocent said.

LIVING THE MYSTIQUE: Craig Dresser, of Fargo, N.D., has picked up some tips from the golf veterans he hangs out with.

He has learned to arrive before 7 a.m., speed-walk to hole No. 2 and get a chair in the first row before any other patron.

“You get to see the pro shot, you get to see a number of angles and all the (players) go through here early, so you can see everyone then walk around,” Dresser said. “This way you’re not waiting for the action.”

Since he had some time to kill before players teed off, Dresser and friend Kevin Christianson sipped coffee and ate egg sandwiches while they waited for the players.

“If you’re a golfer, it’s the epitome of golf here,” Dresser said. “It’s just got this mystique about it.”

RUSH TO BE FIRST: When you want to be the first patron to set a chair at hole No. 12, it’s nice to have a chauffeur service.

Geoff Credi, of Chicago, got his girlfriend to drop off him and friend Monte Mitchell at Gate 9 so they could dart to their favorite hole as soon as the gates opened.

They had to dodge other patrons also rushing to the ropes but managed to be among the first on the front row.

“I’m a real fast walker, so I did win the race,” Credi said.

They said they had the best seat in the house for the best day of the tournament. Day one is all about anticipation and expectations of what’s to come, they said.

“It’s almost like you have first-day jitters and you’re not even a player,” Mitchell said.

– Tracey McManus, staff writer