AUGUSTA, Ga. — It's the attire of painters, pig farmers and others looking to protect their nicer clothing. But at the world's most prestigious golf tournament, the immaculate white coveralls worn by caddies are Titleist tuxedos, garments as much a part of the Masters as azaleas in bloom.
Starched, often ill-fitting and uncomfortably warm on muggy days, the outfits are also the coolest thing this side of Elvis when adorned with an Augusta National logo on the right breast pocket and a crisp green nameplate across the shoulders. Walk through a crowd while wearing one and the patrons part in reverence.
"It's the only outfit that you will complain about and still want to wear more than anything else in the entire world," said Michael Collins, a former professional caddie who now works as an ESPN golf analyst. "You might complain about putting it on, but you really complain the year you don't get to put it on."
