College coach escorted off range for wearing shorts at Augusta National: 'Pants tomorrow'
College coach escorted off range for wearing shorts at Augusta National: 'Pants tomorrow'
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Matt Thurmond made sure to leave his phone behind on Monday at the Masters Tournament. This isn't the Arizona State coach's first time at Augusta National, but it is the first time he's had a current player on the roster in the field. That would be Sun Devil senior Josele Ballester, the reigning U.S. Amateur champion.
Thurmond hadn't planned on going to the Tournament Practice Area, but when he saw former ASU player Kevin Yu on the range, he wanted to say hello.
"I went out on the range without thinking, gave him a hug," said Thurmond. "After about one shot and one quick hello, they came out and said 'I'm sorry, sir, you can't be on the range with your shorts.' "
When Thurmond reunited with his phone, which was in the pocket of his pants in the car, he had texts about the incident. Word had gotten around. He eventually sent out a tweet about it.
"My bad, it was a mistake I made," Thurmond said while out watching Ballester play a practice round. "I want to follow the rules here when I'm at Augusta and do everything right. Lucky to be here and appreciate everything here. I just made a mistake."
Patrons can wear shorts, of course, outside the ropes. But there's a no-shorts policy for players and coaches on the course and practice areas at Augusta National.
Three years ago, Masters participant Talor Gooch, then a rookie, wore shorts while working on his putting and was approached by one of the club's pros in short order. It wasn't long before a pair of rain pants arrived.
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