Spring is in the air. We’re thankful for more sunlight and warmer temps (the pollen can go), but what we’re really excited for is The Masters.
The 411 for you rookies: The Masters Tournament (hosted at Augusta National since 1934) is one of four PGA major tournaments. It’s kind of a big deal and just 158 miles from Charleston. The tournament starts tomorrow, April 11, and runs through April 14. (Practice rounds began on Monday, April 8.) The “tradition unlike any other” is expected to once again attract 250,000 patrons and generate $100+ million in economic impact for the city + region.
The tournament can be a very pretty penny to attend. Tickets for Monday’s practice round ran about $616 per patron; Sunday final round tickets were starting at $2000+ per patron on VividSeats. Pro tip for 2020: Practice round + daily tournament tickets are sold in advance by random selection on the tournament’s website. Learn more here. (And if you can’t be there, keep track here.)
Not going to the tournament but looking for an awesome spot to watch? Here are our picks:
- The Alley will be showing the tournament all week (starting April 11) + will have a special Masters menu with food and drink specials inspired by the tournament (frozen Arnold Palmer, anyone?).
- Dockery’s is hosting a special party on April 13 with a barbecue, pimento cheese sandwiches, their own take on the Azalea – the official cocktail of The Masters.
- Charleston Sports Pub | With locations in West Ashley, Summerville, Mount Pleasant, James Island, + Clemson, there’s a spot for anyone hoping to catch the action.
All this golf talk brings us to another Southeastern tournament we’re stroked for – and it’s happening right here in our city.
ICYMI, Charleston is hosting the 74th U.S. Women’s Open at the Country Club of Charleston, May 30-June 2. The championship (considered the world’s premier women’s golf championship, and the first major tournament to be hosted in CHS) is expected to bring in ~100,000 spectators and nearly 2,000 volunteers from all over the country + world. The tournament is expected to have a $25 million economic impact on Charleston.
Tickets are on sale now – ranging from single-day gallery passes to weekly packages to all-inclusive upgraded tickets. And if you’re still hoping to volunteer for the event, sign up for the waitlist here… it’s only 140-people deep. If you have friends or family coming into town for the tournament, share this guide on what to do in Charleston when you’re off the course.
Masters Party Tips
Rather stay home this week and host a killer party? Here are a few tips:
- Snag a bunch of flowers (mostly Pink Azaleas from Lowes Foods) and arrange throughout your home.
- No need to make a massive meal – The Masters is known for having simple snacks. Grab a few tubs of Duke’s pimento cheese + a few loaves of white bread for pimento cheese sandwiches. Cut into triangles and serve.
- Create Arnold Palmers with sweet tea + lemonade (use locally distilled Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka as a substitute).
- For dessert: MoonPies.
Want something even fancier? Check out this Masters-themed party guide.
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This content was created in partnership with Explore Charleston.
