Carlos Turner and Colin Jordan's first look at Augusta National Golf Club nearly got rained out Saturday.
The pals from Rincon, Ga., had camped out at the 17th green when the horns halting play blared at about 12:30 p.m.
``We started walking around looking for a place to wait,'' Jordan said. The two stopped under a set of bleachers. ``As it turned out, that was not a good place to be. They told us we had to evacuate the course.''
So the two men joined thousands of other Masters Tournament spectators near the main entrance. Some huddled under the beer tent, while others packed into the restrooms. And the concession and souvenir areas also were full.
William Branan took his daughter and granddaughter out to the family van to wait out the storm.
``Sometimes we are soaked, sometimes we are dry,'' Branan said.
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Danny Hammond of Greenville, N. Carolina, a marshal at Augusta National, puts on his poncho to protect himself from the rain on Saturday.Todd Bennett/Chronicle Staff
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``Then we come back out to the course and watch,'' said his daughter, Kimberly Rooker, whose 7-year-old daughter Marla was attending the tournament for the first time.
While the fans spent their time waiting near the main entrance, a drove of caddies and golfers used the break to eat lunch and rest.
``I'll probably overeat,'' said Loren Roberts, who was supposed to tee off at 1:20 p.m. but ended up teeing off after 3. ``And I'll probably read all the magazines in the locker room.''
While the outside wall of the clubhouse was filled with a line of players, caddies and bags, many players sought a respite in the locker room - a spot where the press and the public can't go.
But Jim Furyk stood outside the clubhouse and watched the rain. He stopped play on the ninth hole, standing at 1-over par for his round.
``It looks like it's just getting here,'' he said as the wind whipped the trees between the clubhouse and the driving range.
He spent a little time in the clubhouse before stepping outside to talk with a few friends.
``We just sit around and listen to stories and tell jokes,'' he said. ``I've been looking for my father for the last 30 minutes.''
Showers send fans scrambling
