Another Masters Tournament tradition lives on.

Ed Bailey: Patron hasn't missed a Masters. He didn't even miss the years he served in the Army in the Pacific because the Masters was suspended for World War II. (File/Staff)

For the 73rd time in 75 years, Dr. Ed Bailey made his way to Augusta National Golf Club on Friday, spending about 90 minutes in his favorite spot in the practice range bleachers.

"At 94, I can't complain," said the retired Augusta pediatrician, who is believed to be the only patron who has attended every Masters.

Bailey sat in the sun covered by his Masters bucket hat watching as Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Justin Rose and Camilo Villegas warmed up before Friday's second round. He was joined by four grandchildren, including his youngest -- 10-year-old Carolyn Usry, of Baltimore.

Bailey's long history at Augusta National includes all sorts of memories, from hearing the roar created by Gene Sarazen's famous double eagle in 1935 on 15 from the adjacent 17th hole, to watching for hours as Ben Hogan hit one precise shot after another on the practice range.

As they drove into the club Friday, he pointed out to his daughter, Georgia Usry, the cabin where he long ago was called on to attend to President Eisenhower's granddaughter.

"It was just a cold," he said.

Bailey was 19 in 1934 when he took advantage of one of the free tickets handed out downtown to attend the inaugural Augusta National Invitation Tournament. He followed tournament and club founder Bobby Jones every step of the way.

During the three years Bailey spent serving as an Army doctor in the Pacific theater of World War II, the Masters shut down operations.

Bailey's links to the Masters include being pictured in the first edition of Sports Illustrated, published Aug. 16, 1954. He can be seen prominently leaning over the ropes on the 11th hole in a photo spread labeled "The Golden Age Is Now."

As far as anyone knows, Bailey is the only person to attend every Masters. Longtime starter and club member Phil Harison died last year shortly after attending his 72nd Masters.

The goal now for Bailey is to return in 2010 when the new practice facility will be opened.

"I hope to see it," he said, though he seemed relieved to know the current range won't disappear.

He watched Hogan hitting balls into his caddie's shag bag there and once determinedly fire a driver over the fence that keeps balls from reaching Washington Road.

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.