As always, gnomes are hard to come by at Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The patron shop at Augusta National Golf Club is as popular as ever – and so are the Masters garden gnomes that are sold there.

The staff only puts out a certain number of gnomes a day, first thing in the morning.

Only one is allowed per patron, and you’d better be here early.

First-time patron Christopher Bailey snagged last gnome of the day on Thursday.

“I saw everyone getting one of these, so I sort of wanted one,” he said.

When I went to get it, it was the last one on the shelf, so I just grabbed it and now they’re out of stock.”

Robbie Prater also got a gnome.

“I think a lot of people were trying to get here early to put chairs out too, so we figured we’d run to the gift shop and see if some gnomes were available,” Prater said.

The Masters gnome is a perennial favorite, popular since being introduced in 2016.

Supplies are regularly restocked, but we have yet to have seen a gnome on the shelves – that’s how fast they’re going.

Each year, there’s a new version, usually decked out in patron attire. This year’s gnome features a bucket hat and Argyle sweater.

A couple of years ago, there was even a caddie gnome. There are typically full-size garden gnomes and mini-gnomes.

The caddie gnomes are gone, but they live on this year as characters on T-shirts and ornaments.

The shop is so popular because it’s the only place where you can buy official Masters merchandise.

It’s too early to know what the hot items are this year, but it always becomes clear.

One clever addition was a polo shirt featuring all of Augusta National’s signature sandwiches.

Last year, the merchandise seemed to start taking a turn from traditional to hip.

But sometimes you can’t beat the traditional.

Iconic green-and-white striped clubhouse umbrellas never go out of style.

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