This year's Masters gives new meaning to cool

At most Masters – when that global warming thing was still alive in Augusta – spectator fashion has always had its place in the tournament universe.

Someone said this week that you tend to behave a little better once you arrive at Augusta National and it carries over to clothing – fans tend to dress a little better than at most tournaments.

Burberry is popular. Polo, too. And the Masters is the one tournament where it’s OK to wear clothing with the tournament logo on it. There’s an unwritten rule that you don’t , say, wear U.S. Open at Oakmont clothing while you’re at the Open at Oakmont. It’s a small thing – and a silly one – but that’s the way it is.

But all rules are off when it’s 42 degrees and the wind is blowing at the Masters.

Walking around Augusta National at lunch time Saturday, the only thing that mattered was staying warm, even if it meant hiding your Tommy Bahama logo.

I saw a woman wearing paisley pants (never a good move), an overcoat and she had tied a gray sweatshirt on top of a wide-brimmed hat, the arms of the sweatshirt tied under her chin. It was, even on a chilly day, a little much.

I saw another woman wrapped in what was either a blanket, a curtain or a table cloth.

Some fans wore leather coats. Others wore racing jackets – I saw a heavy, letter jacket-style orange and yellow Reese’s racing team model and a Cheerio’s racing model.

The golfers weren’t the only people wearing gloves. Toboggans sold out in 15 minutes in the big merchandise tent, someone said.

The Masters is always a cool place to be. But cool took on a while different meaning Saturday.

-Ron Green Jr.