Masters Week is officially here.
For fans of golf and those who appreciate finely-mowed grass, it doesn’t get better than the “Tradition Unlike Any Other.” The golf tournament, which marks the first of the four “major” tournaments for the year, tees off on Thursday. Played at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, it is a cherished event that golfers and fans look forward to every single year, and it is the only Major tournament played at the same course every year.
What makes the tournament so special? Well, some might say the rich history. Others might point their finger towards the natural beauty of the golf course. And then who could forget the memorable, championship defining moments and the agonizing, tragic collapses that the tournament boasts?
There are so many reasons why fans love the Masters, but for patrons lucky enough to attend the event (tickets are often only acquired through the tournament’s ticket lottery) they might tell you that the highlight of being on the sacred grounds of Augusta are the concession prices.
It’s no secret that food prices at sporting events have seen a horrendous uptick in the past decade. If you went to any other professional sporting event, you would be lucky to get a burger, fries and a beer for under $30 dollars. How are prices at the Masters? Much, much better than your average sporting event.
Walk up to the iconic concession stands at Augusta National and you’ll see prices such as:
Egg salad sandwich: $1.50
Pimento cheese sandwich: $1.50
Pork Bar-B-Que sandwich: $3
Masters club: $3
Chicken salad sandwich on honey wheat: $3
Ham and cheese sandwich on rye: $3
Classic chicken sandwich: $3
Soft Drinks, Water, or Tea: $2
Domestic beer: $6
Import beer: $6
Crow’s Nest (Master’s Exclusive Craft Brew): $6
Georgia Pecan Caramel Popcorn: $2
Georgia Peach Ice Cream Sandwich: $3
The food items that are sold at “golf heaven” actually have the “heavenly” prices to match. You could actually buy everything on the menu for $75.75. Many sports fans know that’s the equivalent of a chicken strip basket, beer, and ice cream at other venues.
Props to the Masters for realizing that people probably spent an arm and a leg to get into the sporting event itself, so it’s nice to give people a break on the food. How nice would it be to go to another sporting event like a basketball game or football game and not have to ask yourself “Hmmm, do I want another beer in a souvenir cup or do I want to be able to afford groceries this week?”
And for those of you who think they are charging cheap prices because the food is subpar (ironically, subpar is good in golf), you are mistaken. I was fortunate enough to go a Masters practice round a decade or so ago, and every food item I tried was top tier. Granted, the food might have tasted better just because I was standing on the hallowed grounds… but I think that’s just part of it.
I mean, how could a pimento cheese sandwich taste bad when you are looking at something like this?
