Costco told to stop selling Masters tickets

A sale display for Masters ticket packages at a Costco in Birmingham, Ala.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – I was taking a stroll through my favorite Costco looking for bargains and was struck by the fact that Masters packages were being offered at a warehouse store next to HoneyBaked Ham gift cards.

Yes, believe it or not, Costco is offering a three-night Masters package for two at $4,499.99 through a group called Sportevents.com.

Photo by Golfweek Staff

The package includes:

Four days and three nights at the Hilton in Columbia, S.C.
Two Masters tickets for Thursday/Friday or Saturday/Sunday
Daily hospitality at the Lodge on Magnolia, including breakfast, lunch buffet and cocktail hour
Transportation from hotel to course

According to a person at Sportsevents.com, the company has been offering packages through Costco for all big events, but this was the first year it was offering a Masters package. When I asked more questions, I was told the chief executive officer would call me back.

As you could imagine, the Green Jackets at Augusta National were none too happy when I contacted them about the Masters packages being sold at Costco.

My understanding is that a letter was sent immediately to Sportevents.com from the club explaining that the Masters ticket policy does not allow for such use.

Costco did not return my calls about the selling of Masters packages.