You catch the Albatross Ball - What would you do?

**nevets88** · April 9, 2012

Spectator, er, Patron , gives ball back to AGNC.

I dunno, I'd probably give the ball back to Louis O, if I could find the guy. I'm just trying to imagine the conversation between the green jackets and the spectator. I really want nothing to do with getting any money for it, just that it be shared with the public most properly.

**RichWW2** · April 9, 2012

Let me play 2 rounds of golf at Augusta National and you have yourself a ball. The first round for sight seeing, taking pictures, learning the course, having fun, and getting out all the jitters. The second round would be for posting a score. I would keep that scorecard, all the balls I used and didn't lose and probably steal a divot or two and make a nice little display case of my experience when I got home.

**Shindig** · April 9, 2012

If I had been the patron who caught it, I'd have given it to Louis [i]after he had time to realize its importance[/i] (I don't know if he realized it at the time); second choice, ANGC officials; third, send it to the USGA. Regardless, I wouldn't have been able to keep it: for the rest of my life, I'd hear Prof. Jones telling me it belongs in a museum.

**nevets88** · April 9, 2012

Yeah, the more I think about it, I would go to the tenth and try and give the ball back surreptitiously, because I bet the AGNC folks would try to block me. And the return would be unconditional. Who knows though, what you say and what you actually do... I'd probably get banned for giving it back too :-) As much as I love the Masters, the loss of playing a couple of rounds at Augusta, if that is the quid pro quo, that's fine with me.

Originally Posted by Shindig

If I had been the patron who caught it, I'd have given it to Louis after he had time to realize its importance (I don't know if he realized it at the time); second choice, ANGC officials; third, send it to the USGA. Regardless, I wouldn't have been able to keep it: for the rest of my life, I'd hear Prof. Jones telling me it belongs in a museum.

**TourSpoon** · April 9, 2012

I would have donated it to the club for annual passes and one day of golf a year with the supers who volunteer. It is history, but would have been 10 times more valuable if he had won.

**zipazoid** · April 9, 2012

Possession is 9/10ths of the law. It's mine. Louis threw it, I caught it.

You want it, make me an offer ANGC, bearing in mind that you have lots of money.

**Zeph** · April 9, 2012

I would probably not have sold it, except if I got a ridiculous amount of money for it. Would probably have kept it myself and put it in a nice glass case.

**AmazingWhacker** · April 9, 2012

It's not so much that I'd want to keep it but I really doubt ANGC would do anything *for me* so I'd be kind of reluctant to just do them a big favor and hand it over. I agree with the posters who would ask for something (ie - rounds of golf, masters passes, etc) instead of just handing it over.

**jamo** · April 9, 2012

I would have given it to Louis to ANGC. Maybe for a free round at Augusta or next year's tickets or something. Not money though.

**newtogolf** · April 9, 2012

Louis had to regret tossing the ball later on. I guess he was caught up in the moment, but when I saw him toss the ball to a spectator, I was shocked. If he had tossed it to me, I'd give it back and hope Louis and ANGC did the right thing by me. If they didn't, I'd take pleasure in knowing I did what was right.

**zeg** · April 9, 2012

I'd probably return it to Oosthuizen if he asked. I don't see any other party with a legitimate claim to it.

**Zeph** · April 9, 2012

Yeah. If Louis wanted it back, I'd given it to him. I wouldn't have felt any obligation to give it to Augusta National.

**Zwick** · April 9, 2012

I'm pretty sure he got something like Masters-tickets for live and a few rounds of golf at the ANGC.

I don't know what I would do, probably give it to the club or to Louis (if I could reach him).

**marcv68** · April 9, 2012

if Louis wanted it back i,m pretty sure I would give it too him.Now,if Augusta National wants it they gonna be payin.Somehow someway im playin or attending.

**clubchamp** · April 9, 2012

If I caught it I would have tried to give it back to Louis if anything because I think some of you might be over estimating the value of it. I would think trying to bribe something from ANGC would get you no where other than maybe a good laugh. While the shot was awesome and it's only the 4th in Masters history Louis didn't win and it's not likely he will go down as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Now had Tiger, Phil or any great player hit it you might have something of value but the most you would get out of Louis ball would come through ebay.