01/05/2026
We are kicking off the 2026 work year Monday. Another year of bookkeeping is set up, the work rooms are cleaned, straightened and stocked for work. Things are different though, for the first time we won't have anything to do for our friend Bud North. We've always had a putter display, Legion cross, or some other reason for Bud to stop by at least once a week, many times bearing a little gift, checking to see if I needed anything from Augusta, and offering a helping hand in any way he could. Two visits ago he dropped off the biggest apple pie I've ever seen. On his last visit he promised he would bring a pecan pie sometime after Christmas. I don't think Bud had a lot of money, but do I know he had a lot of heart. I'm sure he's walking around on those streets of gold wearing something with the Augusta National logo acting like he's been there all his life. Maybe he has.