AUGUSTA, Ga. — By 7:30 a.m. ET Saturday, the line to the Masters Main Golf Shop stretched beyond the practice range.
All Katie Hershey wanted was a gnome.
“I keep seeing them on social media, so I have to get one,” said Hershey, of Lexington, Kentucky, who was visiting Augusta National for the first time. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to show everybody back home.”
The craze for the bearded wonder began in 2016 when the Masters Tournament introduced a gnome wearing an argyle cardigan. In 2023, the latest rendition resembles a Masters patron donning a blue shirt. He’s carrying a stack of green and white cups.
“The first time I saw him, I was like, ‘Is that it?’” Hershey admitted. “But he’s growing on me. I think they’re amazing.”
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The gnome was one of many popular items in the shop, which included new designs of Peter Millar shirts. The brand introduced a floral pattern this year which displays pink azaleas. Another Peter Millar design displays a blue background with Masters cups on the shirt.
“It might take an hour for me to get inside, but I don’t care,” said Trena Stuart, of Fort Worth, Texas. “I have a Christmas list and I have to make it happen.”
Other novelty selections include a beige Smathers & Branson belt with various badges from the Masters Tournament. Included are 1934, 1976, 1978, 1980 and 2016.
Of the new items, a popular selection on Saturday was a Masters sweatshirt in yellow and green.
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