SPARTAN SUPPORT: For his inaugural trip to Augusta National Golf Club on Monday, John Macksood slipped on a Michigan State replica football jersey with a bit of apprehension.

Macksood, who graduated from medical school at Michigan State in 1993, wanted to support his alma mater, which played North Carolina on Monday night for the NCAA men's basketball championship. He also was well aware of his proximity to North Carolina. With Augusta less than a five-hour drive from Chapel Hill, N.C., Macksood figured he would be surrounded by Tar Heels fans.

Instead, he found the opposite.

"Everywhere I've been, people have been yelling 'Go Spartans' or 'Go State,' " said Macksood, who is visiting from Grand Blanc, Mich. "I just think everyone wants to see (Michigan) State win, because of the whole economy thing."

Macksood's first impression of Augusta: "It's just like heaven."

UP CLOSE: Cameron Alge was standing by the putting green during the afternoon when a security guard motioned his way.

Like other kids his age, 10-year-old Cameron was allowed to sit just inside the ropes on the putting green, watching as players such as Tiger Woods tested its speed and slope.

"That's what I came to see -- Tiger," Cameron said.

Robert Alge , who has been to the tournament six times, brought his son to the course for the first time. They traveled from Huntersville, N.C., just north of Charlotte.

"It's awesome they allow (kids) to be so close to the action," he said. "It really is a great setup."

The highlight of their day, other than the splendid seat on the putting green, was watching the players skip shots across the pond at No. 16, the 170-yard par-3.