News 12 at 6 o'clock; April 11, 2008

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. --- All the golfers are in the area to catch a glimpse of greatness at Augusta National. But, some are hitting the greens on other area golf courses too.

Augusta and across the river in South Carolina, golfers like John Vanrossem are teeing it up this Masters week.

"We love golf! We're golf fanatics. So, we're going to watch and play golf," says John.

"Play golf!" Those are two words River Club Golf Club Director Chris Verdery loves to hear.

"We're getting a lot of play from people around the world and it's a great opportunity to showcase our course," says Verdery.

A showcase for Steve Hogberg on his first Masters trip, "I think it's pretty darn nice to do both. Play some lovely golf courses."

News 12, "The grass here as green as it is at the National?"

Steve saying, "No. You don't see any brown over there!"

Maybe not as green on the course, but lots of green in the clubhouse. With greens fees about $200 person, 18 holes with 2 shotgun starts and 4 people per group, that's up to $28,800 this Friday alone.

"It's been a great week for us so far," says Chris.

But, it's not all roses.

"Masters this year, I think the economy has hurt a little bit of the traffic," says Chris.

Still, golfers and even an alligator out on the course all day long on Friday.

"Spending lots of time and lots of money to come out here to visit your town and to play," says a golfer.

Not just on the River Club Golf Club either. Steve and John are playing another course on Friday too.

This is a trip back home for Greg Carter, proving to have a sweet spot for golf.

"We're having a great time. We got done yesterday and we're playing this course today. And, going back to the Masters this afternoon," says Greg. "We had an awesome time when I loved here and played a lot of courses then."