Gift trip to the Masters (practice) - how to

I realize that you can%26#39;t get in to the actual competition, but my MIL would love to find a way to give her husband a trip to the area for his 60th birthday on May 6 (gift to be redeemed in 2010). He is a lifetime avid golfer with a longtime desire to see the grounds (he works as a groundskeeper locally). I%26#39;ve done some research for her and these are my questions:

1. Is it worth buying a ticket from resellers to the practices? It seems like the going rate is around the 225-250 range - would you pay it?

2. Is there a preferred day of the practices or are they all the same?

3. Where would you stay? They%26#39;d be travelling from MA.

4. Would you enter the lottery and wait for a response, then buy from a broker if you didn%26#39;t get tickets, or buy now from a broker because you may lose your chance if you wait?

5. Can anyone recommend a reliable broker?

Thanks for your help!

Jen

Gift trip to the Masters (practice) - how to

I%26#39;ve entered the lottery the past 2 years and haven%26#39;t gotten chosen yet, so don%26#39;t wait for that- have heard that it usally takes several years.

Monday, Tuesday, are about the same, Wednesday has a par 3 tournament, if you%26#39;re interested in that type of thing

The pratice round tickets we used last year cost someone (not us!) $600 each bought on eBay so the $200 range sounds reasonable

You can hang around the gate and wait for someone to leave and buy their badge- we left early one day and sold our badges for $50 each

There is all types of lodging choices- in Augusta motel chains, state parks with cabins about an hour away, or Ritz Carlton resort on Lake Ocoee a little further

Hope this helps!