EVANS, Ga. (WFXG) - 16-year-old YANA WILSON HIT THE FIRST-TEE AT CHAMPIONS RETREAT WEDNESDAY MORNING to kick off THE 2023 AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN’S AMATEUR CHampionship.

The day was filled WITH ANTICIPATION FOR THE WEEK AHEAD AS PATRONS GATHERED TO WATCH THE FIRST round. It was particularly special for those visiting CHAMPIONS RETREAT for the first time who are eagerly waiting to see AUGUSTA NATIONAL AND THE AZALEAS IN BLOOM.

BARBARA LUCAS TRAVELED 7 HOURS FROM DADE CITY, FLORIDA TO SUPPORT one of the cities own, BAILEY SHOEMAKER AS SHE COMPETES.

“THERE’S SEVERAL THINGS THAT YOU ONLY GET ONCE IN A LIFETIME AND TO SEE AUGUSTA NATIONAL IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS," Lucas says. "YOU HAVE TO BE A SPECIAL PERSON OR GET ON THE LIST AND BE LUCKY. SO, RIGHT NOW. I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO BE HERE.”

LUCAS ISN’T THE ONLY FIRST-TIMER. 5-YEAR-OLD WALLACE CAYWOOD LIVES RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM CHAMPIONS RETREAT, but IS GETTING TO EXPERIENCE ANWA FOR THE FIRST TIME. HE’S EXCITED TO BE OUT OF SCHOOL HANGING OUT WITH HIS DAD.

Champions Retreat members CARL AND NICK RAU have been to the Master's countless times, but have never experienced ANWA. They PLAN TO SPEND THE DAY MAKING THEIR SELECTIONS ON WHO TO CHEER FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

“MY SON AND I WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO COMING OUT AND WATCHING THE YOUNG TALENT THAT COMES THROUGH CHAMPIONS RETREAT, WE’VE NEVER TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF COMING TO SEE THIS," RAU SAYS. "BUT, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, A BEAUTIFUL VENUE AND IT’S GONNA BE A GREAT DAY.”

THE SECOND ROUND OF ANWA BEGINS thURSDAY.

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