Augusta National now a 10-day celebration at home of Masters

A stream of people young and older walked on a path along the driving range at Augusta National, most of them carrying bags from the golf shop, some of them taking home a prized trophy.

To their right was Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, smashing drivers into the horizon, one fueled by protein shakes and the other by his own brand of coffee.

More surprising was a Brooks Koepka sighting, considering he had surgery less than three weeks ago.

Georgia Tech amateur Tyler Strafaci hits to the 10th green during a practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (Curtis ComptonAtlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

More than the first major of the year, Augusta has become a 10-day celebration at the home of the Masters.

It started with 82 of the best women amateurs from around the world, practicing on Friday and then competing on Saturday in the Augusta National Women's Amateur.

On Sunday, the practice area and 18th green was buzzing with 80 kids from 30 states, Canada and France, ages 7 to 17 in the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals. Sam Udovich of Minnesota won the his age division (Boys 12-13), which he thought was pretty cool. Sweeter yet was Justin Thomas coming over to give him props.

Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the first hole to begin a practice round for the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 4, 2021, Augusta, Ga. (Curtis ComptonAtlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

“He just came over and said, ‘Hey, great job, congratulations.’ He was going to tee off in like two minutes, so it was great for him to say congratulations,” Udovich said.

Next to the first tee, one man had one hand on a merchandise bag and the other on his son's shoulder as they watched Brendon Todd and Brian Harman rip tee shots.

“Save that bounce for the tournament,” Todd said to his fellow Georgia Bulldog.

Lucas Bernstein, center, gets a hug from his dad, Michael, after winning his age group at the Drive Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (AP PhotoDavid J. Phillip)

By late afternoon, the focus shifted to the 88 players in the Masters and their pursuit of a green jacket. Thomas, the No. 2 player in the world who captured The Players Championship three weeks ago, is among the favorites. So is Jon Rahm, now with nothing but winning on his mind after his wife gave birth to their first child on Friday.

Dustin Johnson is the defending champion of a Masters that either feels like a long time ago or like yesterday. By the calendar, he won 140 days ago on Nov. 15, the first autumn Masters because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the colors of azaleas that were popping with colors, it can feel like November never happened.

“Now this looks like Augusta,” Match Play winner Billy Horschel said when he teed off.

Samantha Straight, of Lewisville, Texas, reacts to her putt during the Drive Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, Sunday, April 4, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (AP PhotoDavid J. Phillip)

Rory McIlroy, in pursuit of an elusive green jacket he needs to complete the career Grand Slam, was on the putting green. Mickelson played alone.

Also arriving in Augusta on Sunday was Koepka, the four-time major champion who plans to play this week. Koepka is not even three weeks removed from having surgery on his right knee from a dislocated knee cap and some ligament damage from a fall he took.

He missed the Honda Classic, The Players Championship and the Dell Match Play during some serious rehabilitation in California. Even without playing a tournament since a runner-up finish in the World Golf Championship in Florida, it wasn't a dull March. He got engaged to Jenna Sims.

DeChambeau, meanwhile, had to do some math on the first tee, which is not unusual, except for these circumstances. He was playing with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson against a pair of Augusta National members, which included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

DeChambeau wanted to know how many strokes they would be giving.

“Condi negotiated it,” Watson replied.

It's not unusual for members to play the course alongside the players. On Monday, the stage belongs to the best in the world. It's all about the Masters.

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A man has been charged in federal court in Illinois in the transport of millions of dollars worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and memorabilia stolen from Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia.

A document filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois accuses Richard Globensky of transporting the items across state lines to Tampa, Florida, “knowing the same had been stolen, converted and taken by fraud.”

The items were taken from the famous golf club and other locations beginning in 2009 through 2022, according to the government.

Upon conviction, Globensky would have to forfeit any property and cash attained from proceeds traced to the stolen items, the government said.

The Associated Press was unable Wednesday to reach Globensky by phone using numbers listed in public records. Lawyer Tom Church, who’s listed in online court records as representing Globensky, did not immediately respond Wednesday to a voicemail and an email.

A message was also left Wednesday seeking comment from Augusta National.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office said he did not have any information on why the case was filed in Illinois.

Court records do not say whether Globensky worked for the golf club.

Augusta National is the home of the legendary Masters golf tournament, which was held over the weekend and won by Scottie Scheffler.

For many fans, the chance to buy exclusive merchandise that’s not officially sold online is a key part of the Masters experience. In recent years, gnome garden statues that debuted in 2016 have been a hot-ticket item. Even logo-etched cups — once emptied of beer or other drinks — are a prized souvenir fans pile up through the tournament.

In 2017, the Georgia company that owns Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters golf tournament sued to stop a golf memorabilia company from auctioning off a Masters champion’s green jacket and other items it says were never supposed to have left the club’s grounds. Augusta National Inc. filed the federal lawsuit against the Florida-based auction company seeking to stop it from selling a champion’s green jacket and two member green jackets, as well as silverware and a belt buckle bearing Augusta National’s map and flag logo.

Associated Press writer Kate Brumback in Atlanta and AP researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report.

A sign is posted closing the golf shop line during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in Augusta, Ga. Richard Globensky has been charged in federal court in Illinois in the transport of millions of dollars worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and memorabilia stolen from Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, according to court documents filed Tuesday, April 16, 2024. The items were taken from the famous golf club and other locations beginning in 2009 through 2022, according to the government. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

FILE - The clubhouse of the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., is seen in this Sunday, April 3, 2005, file photo. Richard Globensky has been charged in federal court in Illinois in the transport of millions of dollars worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and memorabilia stolen from Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, according to court documents filed Tuesday, April 16, 2024. The items were taken from the famous golf club and other locations beginning in 2009 through 2022, according to the government. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)