Guards will search cars parked near Augusta National for Masters

AUGUSTA - Private security guards will search cars parked at an Augusta airport for the Masters tournament. <br> <br> Hundreds of parking spaces at Augusta Regional Airport have been closed since Sept. 11, leaving golf tournament officials wondering where to send cars that usually park at the airport during the games. <br> <br> The Federal Aviation Administration told the airport it could allow cars within 300 feet of the terminal only if security patrolled the area. <br> <br> On Thursday, the airport&#39;s board voted to spend about $37,500 to hire 24 private security guards to search every car coming to the airport between April 4 and April 17. <br> <br> The airport&#39;s assistant director, Tim Weegar, said the searches should only last 30 or 45 seconds. <br> <br> The tournament is scheduled for April 8-14. The airport also will increase parking fees for airplanes to cover the security costs.