Posted 4/14/03 9:57 am ET

Sun, stars come out

Friday night Deke Wiggins greeted guests arriving at his annual Masters party at the Julian Smith Barbecue Pit.

Then he had to work.

Scott Thurman, of Augusta, chants "PARP" during a People Against Ridiculous Protests meeting Friday at the Julian Smith Barbecue Pit.KEVIN MARTIN/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE

Two reporters from New York's Newsday wanted to interview him about People Against Ridiculous Protest - a group he formed in reaction to Martha Burk's crusade against the Augusta National Golf Club'S all-male membership.

PARP will be the one group that won't show up today at the 5.1-acre protest site on Washington Road.

"We'll have a banner out there," he said.

The point of PARP is to mock the silliness generated by Burk and the other protest group and it's gotten Wiggins more attention than he ever imagined.

The Lakeside High School graduate and University of Georgia alumni has had so many requests for interviews, he took the week off from his job as a grain broker.

"It's been crazy," he said.

On the town The Augusta Chronicle brings you the best of what's happening on the party scene.  Masters revelers take a 51-week break   La Maison is target of British invasion   Sun, stars come out   Bash becomes birthday party   Celebrity watchers get their fill at gala   Belushi helps reopen bar   Wednesday's festivities are anticipated Masters tradition   Golfers take swing through Augusta eateries   Galas are as big as the golf   Greens fans see red   Even nonfans enjoy reception   The party's just starting

For his friends, the PARP party was about cold beer, hot barbecue and bluegrass music.

Anne Margaret Thurmond, Wiggins' neighbor, has some strong views about Burk.

"She's always talking about how she wants to do things for women, but there are bigger issues than this," she said, as she took a sip of her Amstel Light.

"I can poke fun at her and have a good time."

BLUE SKIES:To borrow from The Four Aces and Dinah Washington, "What a difference a day makes."

Gone were the drenched and bedraggled golf fans trodding the soupy shoulder of Berckmans Road as they returned dejected to their cars.

The sun was out, the Augusta National course was full, and all was right with Augusta.

SPOTTED: Tiki Barber, New York Giants running back and former University of Virginia standout, was kicking back at the Double Eagle Club on Washington Road on Friday afternoon.

Sea Island, Ga., resident Davis Love III, who won The Players Championship this year, dined at Luigi's on Broad Street Wednesday night with Marvin M. "Vinny" Giles, who played in nine Masters Tournaments as an amateur.

And on Friday night, the Luigi's folks were expecting golfer Nick Price, who surely needed a break after a grueling 36 holes on the course.

PAR-TEES: The Emerald Isle has set up shop in Augusta this week to promote the second home of golf and the upcoming 2006 Ryder Cup at The K Club in County Kildare.

On Thursday night, Tourism Ireland held a Meet the Irish reception at a home on Walton Way.

Perhaps the best advertisement for Ireland is golfer Padraig Harrington, who tied for fifth in the 2002 Masters. Also on Thursday, the officers of the Professional Golfers' Association of America had their annual reception at Savannah Rapids Pavilion.

COMING UP:

MASTERS BASH: 6 tonight, Last Call, National Hills shopping center, Washington Road; with The Swingin' Medallions and Kinchafoonee; $7 in advance, $12 at the door, $135 for VIP tables of six; 738-8730.