re: Jeffy, I am disappointed in you..

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The Masters is different... if the members want to monetize the Masters to the maximum, they would charge triple the prices from the badge to the pimento cheese sandwich. They could double the number of people admitted to the tournament and still be able to put on a grand event. The bottom line is that’s not what President-in-Perpetuity Robert T. Jones wanted when he built Augusta National and started the tournament. He wanted the best golf tournament in the world and he got it. I’ll also say Billy Payne has done a whale of a job as Chairman. He understands Augusta’s role in growing the game and has done in a way that would make Mr. Jones proud.

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The brain trust in Athens has been trying to find ways to squeeze the fans who come to the games since at least the dawn of the Adams era. As long they kept squeezing, and everyone kept paying, they figured they hadn’t hit us hard enough and kept squeezing harder.

The gentlemen who run Augusta National aren’t altruists by any means, but they have always, always, always, taken great pains to ensure that the patrons who care enough to come to the tournament are treated like guests, not ATMs with feet. Does CBS throw bucketloads of money at them for the privilege of televising the event? Absolutely. Does Augusta National let CBS dictate weird starting times, sponsors, signage, or anything that would impair the experience at the tournament for the patrons? Absolutely not. Could they make more money if they did? Sure. Could Augusta National “create new revenue streams” by “monetizing” parking, concessions, “branded sportswear” and accessories, and most of all, jacking up ticket prices to the level of NY Yankees box seats, or selling “personal badge licenses”? Duh.

It would be nice if the folks who run UGA figured out that the world isn’t going to end if they allow the people who care enough to come to the games to feel like honored guests, or family, instead of suckers to be cash vacuumed into submission. It would be especially nice if they figured that out before those of us getting cash vacuumed realize we have a superior viewing experience in front of our HD Dolby stereo tv, where the line to the bathroom is non-existant, the food is plentiful and inexpensive, and the drinks are cold and can be consumed without dodging law enforcement.

The ADs, presidents, etc, may think they have a captive audience and there’s no limit to the amount of abuse fans will take, but once things hit the tipping point, there may be no going back. It happens all the time. Market created, providers ride the wave up, and mistakenly assume it will never peak, and then suddenly they’re riding it straight down.

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