AUGUSTA, Ga. — Getting a chance to go to the Masters is already a bucket list opportunity -- but couple that with getting to see a solar eclipse while at Augusta National, and it makes the experience that much more exclusive.
That's the opportunity patrons had inside the gates of Augusta National Golf Course on Monday as they gazed to the skies with their solar eclipse glasses on to enjoy a view that won't be seen for another 20 years in the United States.
And the view was quite spectacular up above, as completely clear skies at the Masters allowed patrons to get a perfect view of the moon creating a crescent shape in the sun despite Georgia not being in the path of totality.
"We're actually from Columbus, Ohio, which is in the path of totality," Lisa Singer said. "So, we sacrificed that to come watch it here today."
We even captured the view ourselves by putting the solar eclipse glasses over our camera, showing just how much the moon covered up the sun in Augusta.
"I've been learning it in science class. It made me a little sad that I was going to be missing the path of totality," said elementary schooler Adam Singer, who was with his parents for his first Masters trip. "When I saw it was the Masters and the eclipse, I mean that will rarely happen, and only a select few people get to see it."
Another Masters patron was also taking photos of the eclipse with her digital camera, using the eclipse glasses to get the perfect shot.
"It's really cool, actually. I was here yesterday for the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals, and now it's even more special to get to see the eclipse, too," patron Mia Hayasaki said.
Despite patrons planning for the Masters long before knowing there was an eclipse, having both doubled down on such a unique experience on Monday at Augusta National.
"You know, we planned this long before we knew about the eclipse," said Anthony Krepps, who is making his third Masters appearance. "So, yeah, it was just kind of a bonus, you know? And we stopped at two different places on our way here this morning to get glasses, and they handed them to us when we came in."
Patrons called the combination of the eclipse at the Masters a once-in-a-lifetime event.
