Jami Brighty used his foot Tuesday to edge his overfilled shopping basket closer to the checkout line at Augusta National Golf Club's main gift shop.

Donald Rhodes helps his wife, Marilyn, put on a pullover they had just purchased from the fifth-hole gift shop. The Hoschton, Ga., couple spent almost $250 on items at the shop Tuesday. (Annette M. Drowlette/Staff)

A head golf pro from Chicago, Brighty expected to spend hundreds on shirts, tees, golf balls and other memorabilia at the shop. This one trip might cover his gift shopping for the year, he said.

"This should take care of birthdays, Father's Day, Mother's Day and hopefully have some left over for Christmas," he said.

The primary recipients of Brighty's spending will be his employees, he said.

"I feel like I owe them for covering for me for a few days so I could come here and goof around," he said. "And to get them something from the Masters? Well, that should keep them happy."

Beyond the typical items available at most pro shops -- hats, visors, tees, balls, T-shirts, umbrellas-- Augusta National carried infant-size white bucket hats for $15; stuffed, smiling golf balls wearing green beanies for $11; teddy bears wearing blue shorts with green sweater vests for $11; $20 soy candles; men's watches embedded with the Masters logo for $59 and $155; a women's striped cosmetic case for $15; posters featuring famed golf holes for $25; $69 silk ties; $11 socks; and much more.

A popular item on this cool Tuesday morning was sweaters.

Paul Segal, of Delray Beach, Fla., shows the bagful of Masters items he and his wife purchased from the gift shop near the fifth green Tuesday. (Annette M. Drowlette/Staff)

Donald and Marilyn Rhodes, of Hoschton, Ga., immediately yanked their new green sweaters from a shopping bag and pulled them on over their heads to stave off the chill.

Added with other items the couple bought as gifts for family and friends, the Rhodeses spent nearly $250 at a second golf shop near the fifth green.

"It means a little more knowing you got it from the Augusta National," said Donald Rhodes, referring to the Masters logo on all of his items. "It shows you were really there."

Donna Segal agreed. She and her husband, Paul, traveled to Augusta from Delray Beach, Fla. They spent nearly $230 for items they considered to be as much status symbols as clothing.

"You're at the greatest golf tournament in the world," Donna Segal said. "I think it's natural to want to let people know you were there."

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.