Master's Passes
Each April, the world's best come together to tee off for their place in history, at the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA. After a chilly winter break, the Master's kicks off the beginning of a new season for professional golfers. With Dogwoods and Magnolias in full bloom, perfectly manicured greens lined with tall stately Georgia Pines provide the picturesque backdrop for the greatest and most prestigious event in golf.

Winning the Masters will change a golfer's life forever. Many of the greats have shined here including Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods. And some have unexplainably gone and never experienced victory - most notably Greg Norman, who has played in five Master's tournaments and never won.

But as beautiful as the Augusta National Golf Club is, most of us just dream of the chance to play the course or even be a spectator. Tickets are sold out months in advance and "waiting lists" are rumored to be in excess of ten years. So how do you get your ticket to the greatest tradition in golf? Here are some tips on how to get there and some "dos" and "don'ts" from people who know.

That's the ticket!
Everyone who has a passion for golf wants the opportunity to experience the Master's, this April 3rd to the 9th - but where do you get tickets?

If you are not fortunate enough to have season passes, the best and most secure way to guarantee quality tickets is through a reputable and experienced ticket broker/agency. They offer one-day ticket passes, weekend ticket passes, practice round play, VIP parties and wonderful packages that include tickets to the events, first class transportation, four star dining and accommodations that range from a basic hotel room to a 15,000 square foot home.

"Look for a full service broker that has a history of success with Master's packages" says Robbi Raitt, President of Empire Tickets, in Atlanta. "Make sure that your package can be customized to fit your needs, so that it will be an experience unique to your personal taste and confirm that your agent will have someone on-site during the event to offer assistance if needed."

Raitt advises that a customer should never be shy about asking for references and that the best rule to live by when purchasing tickets/ packages for any event is tired and true - if it seems too good to be true, it is.

And whatever you do, don't throw those tickets away when the event is over. "Tickets are heirlooms." Eric O'Brien, long-time Masters fan says, "Going to the Masters is a family tradition. Old tickets are passed down along with the great stories that go with them."

Way to go!
Getting into the Master's is not cheap but worth every penny. Here is some advice on ways to optimize your experience from some "old pros".

Food.
Come hungry because the concession stands get an A + from patrons for taste and quality. Even though the tickets are pricey, once inside a soft drink is still about .35 cents and those famous sandwiches, egg salad, ham & cheese, or the house specialty pimento cheese, are still only about $1.00. Of course there are also many excellent restaurants in the area.

Shops.
The Masters logo is recognized worldwide so don't forget visit the two "outdoor golf shops." The one at the main gate is the big one - every Masters souvenir you can think of can be found there. At the back gate - on the back of hole 5, gate 10 - is where a smaller shop is located. People line up to get in both shops to buy golf shirts, sweaters, hats, seats, glasses, briefcases, screensavers, and calendars -- anything with the logo. A good tip is to visit these at the end of the day, so you don't have to carry your purchase around with you.

Attire & Etiquette.
Spectators of the Masters dress in golf shoes/attire as a sign of respect for the game. The Masters Tournament is an international competition and the contestants are invited guests. Everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect.

Everyone is requested to display the proper customs of etiquette, decorum and behavior, and to obey all Tournament policies, signs and verbal instructions of Tournament officials.

For the safety of everyone, and in keeping with policy established at major sporting events, running is considered to be unacceptable behavior.

In fairness to spectator access and viewing, only one stool/seat will be allowed per person entering the grounds. Seats in observation stands are not to be reserved and stools/seats are not to be unattended for any inordinate length of time.

Cell phones, beepers and other electronic devices are strictly prohibited on the grounds at all times. Cameras are strictly prohibited on Tournament days. Anyone violating this policy will be subject to removal from the grounds and the permanent loss of ticket(s).

Play.
Learn the spectator holes. The Masters course is set up so you can see several holes from several locations. The Spectator Guide, which is given out at all entrances, will show you how to find the best holes for spectators.

Get a paring sheet - that will show you how to spot groups on the golf course. If you want to see someone in particular, the paring sheet will help you plot out your strategy to get a good view.

"A must see event, in my mind, is spending time on the 16th green, a jewel of a Par 3 where so many tournaments have been won and lost," explains Glen Jackson, principle of Jackson Spalding Communications, in Atlanta and long-time Masters fan. "Spending time on the practice range is great fun and looking down Magnolia Lane, which harkens back to a time long ago and spending time on 12 and 13 are mandatory."

The Hangouts.
The "Hangouts" include the practice tee. The first tee and under the first tee near the clubhouse. The putting green, where you can see the 18th & 9th green and 10th tee-box. The 16th green is a traditional gathering place. A par 3 (The Par 3 course is a gem. It is worth a peak. Sometimes you might find some former Masters champions playing away from the crowds). The "big pine at16" is known by a lot of people. A huge pine tree is behind the green and does stand out. Another interesting place to visit is the Eisenhower cabin - behind the putting green. President and Mrs. Eisenhower stayed there when on the grounds. He was a member. There are a number of cabins on the grounds that are used during the tournament but the general public can't go in them, for the most part.

Great Expectations.
If you have never been to the Master's before here is a short list of things to expect, according to Ed Presnell, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.

• Get there early, stay late and really just enjoy the day. The traffic and the crowds take many people by surprise. Don't try to do it all at one time. Get to the front of the golf course and work your way back.
• Be prepared to walk and wear comfortable shoes.
• Watch the fan behavior. Watching people is part of the fun.
• Unless you have a particular golfer you want to follow, try to see the golf course first.
• There may be some protest this year surrounding the club's admission policy.

But most importantly, if you are a golf enthusiast, expect to have an unforgettable experience steeped in history. Since 1934 the Master's has showcased legends of the sport. In 1980 Seve Ballesteros won, becoming the youngest player to date (just 23 years old) to be crowned a winner. At age 46 in 1986, Jack Nicklaus donned his sixth "green jacket". And in 1997 Tiger Woods broke the tournament four day scoring record that had stood for 32 years. Not bad for a game with no mascots.

Written by Donna Garcia, VP of Sales and Marketing for Empire Tickets in Atlanta, GA

ATLANTA, Sept. 10, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbi Raitt, President and Founder of Empire Tickets, Inc. a global leader in providing tickets and entertainment solutions, has been named to Billboard Magazine's Round Table Tour at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, November 4-6, 2009.

Mr. Raitt was chosen for his role as a key performer in the ticket industry and one of only three ticket brokers to be named this year. He and two others will lead an hour long roundtable discussion concerning the many pertinent issues facing the secondary ticket market today.

To be named to the panel a ticket broker must demonstrate long-term stability, in-depth industry knowledge, expertise, steady growth and a full understanding of the current climate which exists in today's secondary market. Empire Tickets and Mr. Raitt were included because of a proven track record of strong return on investment for its customers and continued innovation in its ticketing solutions and services offerings.

"Being recognized as a leader in our industry is always something that we are proud of and Mr. Raitt is a true pioneer within our business," says Donna Pharmakis-Garcia, vice president of marketing and development for Empire Tickets. "His extensive market experience certainly supports Empire Tickets' strong record of helping our customers achieve success, whether it is through enabling them to secure the best seats or building a brand that goes beyond good seat locations and ticket prices. We want to give an experience that lasts a lifetime, hence our tagline, 'Make life an event!' "

The Billboard Touring Conference will unite the most successful promoters, agents, managers, venue operators, sponsors, digital music executives, merchandising companies and production professionals to discuss the state of the industry.

Guided by Ray Waddell, Billboard's executive director of content and programming for touring and live entertainment, this unique event includes panel topics, discussions, roundtables as well as networking opportunities with touring industry decision makers.

This two-day conference is capped off by the Billboard Touring Awards, which honors the concert industry's top artists and professionals based on actual data compiled through the Billboard Boxscore chart.

About Empire Tickets.

Empire Tickets, Inc. is an Atlanta-based ticket broker specializing in premium seats to high-profile sporting events, concerts, and theatre productions across the United States. The company offers tickets for a broad spectrum of events, with a mission to consistently secure premium seats at popular entertainment events across the United States and provide customers with easy, reliable access to hard-to-get tickets.
For more information, please visit www.empiretickets.com or call 1-800-725-0112.

AUGUSTA, Ga., Sept. 8, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Each April the world's best golfers come together to tee off for their place in history at The Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta National. With them come thousands of golf enthusiasts and media to cover the event. They all need housing, transportation, hospitality, and concierge / business services. Wouldn't it be nice to find all those services under one roof, so that you could just relax and enjoy The Masters experience?

Well, that is exactly what long-time Atlanta entrepreneur Robbi Raitt thought when he opened Club Magnolia almost three years ago. He had shared the experience of trying to find upscale, high-quality services while attending The Masters and knew the frustration that it creates. "My clients were looking for a hospitality facility that was modern, high quality, relaxing, comfortable, and most of all easy. Everything they needed under one roof, and it wasn't out there," says Raitt. That is when he and his wife Pam decided to parley using his past restaurant experience into creating a solution -- Club Magnolia.

Club Magnolia's motto, "Mastering Southern Hospitality," really sums up Raitt's vision for the club. "I really wanted to build a brand that went beyond banquet style hospitality," he says. "I wanted to create an atmosphere that was like being at an upscale resort and have everything that our guests needed available in one place. 'Mastering Southern Hospitality' is reflected in every element of the club, from the first phone call to book your reservation or inquire about a membership, to the moment you step on to the course at Augusta National for the experience of a lifetime."

With more than 25 years of experience with hospitality packages and Masters corporate hospitality, Raitt and his staff have built a home away from home for guests and members. Club Magnolia resembles a five star boutique resort more than a hospitality house, but with a very casual, laid back feel. It is because of this unique culture that Club Magnolia has served people from more than 20 countries and almost every state in the US.

"Our goal is to make all of our guests feel like VIP's, we truly go out of our way to make the entire event experience exceptional in every way," explains Raitt. "We know that people who attend the Masters want to come and not have to worry about anything -- just enjoy the experience to the fullest, and that is why we are a true 'all inclusive' offering with everything you need, in one place. We go the distance to provide the best service in Augusta or anywhere, from hospitality, to tickets, transportation, housing, business services and more."

Club Magnolia patrons come from around the world, are from all walks of life, but share one thing -- a passion for golf and the desire to have a place, that they can come year after year to see old friends and be greeted by name. Some have the luxury of attending several large golf events each year and for others The Masters is the only golfing event they will attend, but each receives the same personalized service at Club Magnolia.

For Robbi and his wife Pam, running Club Magnolia is a way to bring a warm, comfortable, upscale and no-hassle feel to a hospitality environment in Augusta that is often dominated by "cookie cutter" facilities that are cold, impersonal and often leave their guests on their own to get what they need. "We want people to feel like it is their club, we want them to come in, be comfortable and know that they are getting southern hospitality at its best."

Club Magnolia is an Augusta-based hospitality club that provides exclusive services to its VIP patrons during the Masters Golf Tournament. We provide five-star hospitality, tickets and housing services that enhance the overall Masters Tournament experience by being a "one stop shop" for all of your needs.

Our mission is to "Master Southern Hospitality" for our guests by providing them with an upscale, warm, interactive, no hassle, eclectic, community, within the club setting, where they can come to gather with old friends and meet new ones year after year, during the Masters.

About Club Magnolia

Club Magnolia, is an Augusta-based hospitality house specializing in five-star hospitality in a boutique resort setting. Club amenities include, four full service bars, valet parking, live entertainment, masseuse, cigar terrace, concierge services, gourmet buffet, two southern grills, beer garden, putting green, ticket "Will Call" and more. Our mission is to "Master Southern Hospitality" for our guests by providing them with an upscale, interactive, hassle-free environment where they can relax and enjoy the full Masters experience. Through our partnership with Empire Entertainment, we are able to provide packages which include transportation, housing, tickets and hospitality.
Please visit www.clubmagnoliahospitality.com or call 1-888.502.2020.