AUGUSTA, GA — A 45-year-old Augusta man was arrested outside Gate 3 of Augusta National on Wednesday after allegedly selling counterfeit Masters tournament badges that, upon closer inspection, turned out to be laminated Waffle House menus with the word “MASTERS” written over them in gold Sharpie.

Donnie Burl Hatcher reportedly set up shop in the Walmart parking lot on Washington Road — prime scalper territory during Masters week — and sold at least seven fake badges at $400 apiece before one buyer attempted to enter the grounds and was stopped by security. The buyer, a retiree from Ohio who asked not to be identified, told officers he “had a feeling something was off when the badge smelled like hash browns.”

Scattered, Smothered, Covered, and Counterfeited

Investigators say Hatcher used the tri-fold Waffle House menu as his base material because it was “roughly badge-shaped when folded” and included what Hatcher described to undercover officers as “that same classy shade of green.” He added a lanyard made from shoelaces and a holographic sticker sourced from a roll of children’s reward stickers, which featured Bluey the cartoon dog rather than any Masters branding.

“He told me it was a VIP badge that gave me access to Amen Corner and the Champions Dinner. I said, ‘Why does it say All-Star Special on the back?’ He said that was the dinner.” — Victim, name withheld

Hatcher netted approximately $2,800 before his arrest. He was booked into the Richmond County Jail on seven counts of fraud and one count of trademark counterfeiting. During booking, he reportedly asked the intake officer if Masters week meant he could post bail “at tournament pricing.” It did not. Bond has been set at $10,000.

His JailReport.lol booking has been filed under Mugshot Hall of Fame. The Waffle House Corporation has not commented, though a regional spokesperson was overheard saying, “We are not affiliated with the Masters, but we are open 24 hours if anyone needs to process their feelings about this.”