Gift sales get hopping in new way
Masters bunny joins shirts, hats on store shelves
Never mind the birdie. How about a bunny?
One of the newest items at the main golf shop at Augusta National Golf Club this year isn't only a reference to golf, but also to Easter Sunday.
The 7-inch-tall plush white bunny rabbits, bearing the Masters logo with either a blue or pink flag, were quickly hopping off the racks Monday at $10 each.
Another new favorite, a $10 putter grip bearing the Masters name, also was filling shoppers' baskets.
Still, the biggest hits Monday seemed to be the traditional items: green and tan hats and visors, golf shirts, towels and golf balls.
Keith and Tammy Common, of Houston, bought two such items.
"We have a gift for her mom and our baby," said Common, holding a bag with a blue-and-gold-striped golf shirt while his wife gripped a new Masters visor.
Masters Collection golf shirts range from $59 for solid colors to $69 for the fancy design with stripes. The Amen Corner line of Masters shirts is priced from $69 for solids to $79 for stripes.
Angela and Mike Briggs, of Atlanta, continued a tradition with their purchase Monday.
"We get a magnet from all over the world," she said. The couple's newest Masters magnet would join others from such places as Italy, Australia, Bali and Rome, she said.
Monday was Angela Briggs' first visit to the Masters; it was her husband's 15th.
The wife of a pro golfer also was drawn to the shop's offerings.
Maria Floyd, the wife of Raymond Floyd, made a visit to the shop as she does each year at the start of Masters Week.
"Every year, we always get a flag," she said, explaining that Floyd and other pro golfers sign the flag, which will be auctioned for charity.
Maria Floyd said she makes sure to land a few other purchases, too.
"We do all of our Christmas shopping here," she said.
For those who don't have a Masters badge, similar purchases can be made at smaller shops at the entrance to Gate 6 and Gate 9 on Berckmans Road and Gate 3A on Washington Road.
Reach Preston Sparks at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
