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Posted April 4, 2012, 7:20 pm
BY
Tracey McManus
|
Staff Writer

Patron pops question at Masters

  • Article Photos
    Patron pops question at Masters
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    Keith Guest, of Athens, Ga., proposed to Laura Beth Branan at the No. 1 fairway.

On a sunny day in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Keith Guest knew it was the perfect moment.

He had the girl. He had the ring. All he had to do was ask.

Guest and Laura Beth Branan, both 27, were standing at Augusta National Golf Club’s first hole Monday, posing for pictures with the clubhouse in the background.

As Branan’s head was turned, Guest reached for the tiny box in his pocket and fell to one knee. When she looked back, she found her boyfriend of five years smiling up at her.

“Laura, I love you. Will you be my wife?” he asked.

She said yes.

“I just started crying,” she said. “I knew I was going to marry him, but I wasn’t expecting it. Not today.”

With about 40 patrons cheering them on, Guest proposed to his best friend in a way he said had strong meaning for both of them.

The couple had come to the Masters for most of their time together. Guest competed on Augusta State University’s golf team and turned pro after graduating. Branan said golf has always been a part of her life and their relationship.

Close friend Mark Poul­sen said he helped Guest plan the proposal and keep Branan in the dark. He knew Augusta Nation­al would be a perfect place.

The Athens, Ga., couple’s next step is to tell their friends and family. They have a perfect story to share.

“I know it sounds cliche, but we’re just best friends,” Guest said. “How many people would you want to spend the entire day with at the Masters? I could have gone with guy friends, but I wanted it to be with her.”

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