You'll find no more genteel brand of Southern hospitality than that offered on the terrace at Augusta National, where lunch and libations
are served at tables under green-and-white umbrellas on the grassy lawn behind the antebellum clubhouse, overlooking the putting green and
the first tee.
All courtesy, by the way, of Phil Koretski and his staff of Yankees, who enjoy coming down from Watch Hill to spend a sunny spring week at
the Masters.
This is the third year that Koretski, who is general manager of the Misquamicut Club, is supervising
"I enjoy meeting the people," he said. "Just this afternoon, I've talked to Toby Beavers (well tried to...), Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus,
Gary Player, Nick Faldo, `Doctor J.' _ Julius Erving and even Billy Griffin ( Igot his autograph!)."
Koretski sees lots of celebrities, but very little of the tournament.
"I have a traditional walk I take every Sunday," he said. "When the last group comes up to the ninth green, I go over and walk down number
10 with them. Then I watch their tee shots at 11, turn around, and walk back up 18 with whatever pairing is on the tee. Then I watch the rest
of the tournament from the air-conditioned comfort of the office."
By late Sunday afternoon, Koretski and his staff well deserve some rest and relaxation, after working at least 12-hour days all week.
The Rhode Island connection came about when Scott Johnson, who is Koretski's assistant at Misquamicut, became assistant manager at Augusta
National, which is not open during the hot summer months.
"He offered me tickets to the tournament," Koretski said, "but I told him I'd rather come down and work."
Others from Watch Hill working at the Masters are Brian Reeves, who's an assistant manager at Misquamicut and the wine steward at Augusta
National; Michael Paciga, who serves as sous chef at both clubs; along with Frank and Steven Guido and Tony Grillo, who are here just for the
tournament.
Koretski says two things have made him particularly happy this week: Working the annual Champions Dinner Tuesday, at which Vijay Singh had
Thai food served; and the fact that, keeping so busy in the warm weather, he's lost seven pounds.