Longtime patron marks his 71st Masters this year

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - When we think of the Masters Tournament, it’s always so special to sit back and watch the first-timers experience the magic of this golf course.

One patron we talked to might have more history than our honorary starters.

Tommy Baker was at his 71st consecutive Masters Tournament on Thursday.

He is 77 years old, which means he’s been coming to Augusta National since he was 6.

His father used to be on the scoring committee, and Baker himself would help out.

His favorite players growing up? Gary Player and Arnold Palmer, of course.

But his favorite memory wasn’t just the golfers.

“I want to keep the streak going, which I’m doing. It’s a lot of Masters Tournaments,” he said.

“After I did my little bit I would go with a Sunday bag and playing the course with a fishing pole in it and he would come looking for me when he was ready to go home. Most of the time he would find me down at 16 fishing and not golfing so I missed my chance there.”

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