For 51 weeks of the year, Augusta-Richmond County officials frown on any person operating a business without a license.

Guess which week is the exception?

County officials said they have more important things to worry about than Armand Law selling soda and bottled water to Masters Week visitors near Gate 9 for a buck apiece.

Technically, the Augusta State University junior and the dozens of other wildcat vendors around the course's periphery should have business licenses. But unless they cause a problem for visitors or licensed businesses, they are given a pass.

"Is it the worst thing in the world? Probably not," said Rob Sherman, the director of the county's License and Inspection Department. "What we're trying to do is make everybody happy."

Mr. Law, who on a good day might sell $200 worth of drinks, said he has had a business license off and on during the four years he has parked his cooler near Gate 9, less than 20 yards from sheriff's deputies directing traffic. He would not say whether he obtained a license this year, but added that he has never had problems with county officials or the police.

"If you're just nice and smile once in a while, people aren't really going to hassle you," he said.

Mr. Sherman said the ice-chest vendors will be asked to move if they are close enough to compete with a licensed vendor.

"That's when it becomes a problem," he said.

Area residents seem to be finding new ways to make a buck each year. Mr. Sherman said he was unaware that several people outside the course are operating shuttle services for course visitors who are having to park as far away as Wheeler Road, about 11/2 miles from the nearest gate. The operators are apparently trying to skirt county taxi and shuttle ordinances by asking for "tips," not charging a fare.

"We just tell them they can give us whatever they want to give us," said Jeannette Nash, whose family shuttles visitors back and forth between Gate 9 and the Wheeler Road lots in a seven-passenger van.

Mr. Sherman said he will investigate the shuttle services because he is concerned they are operating without the proper licenses and insurance.

Officials have long groused about homeowners turning their residences into commercial operations during the week, but are mostly powerless to do anything about people such as Jerry Thacker, whose Berckmans Road home is turned into a corporate hospitality center, complete with catering and full bar service. His 2Q-acre tract has been a paid parking lot since 1991.

"You're allowed to rent your home two weeks each year," Mr. Thacker said, citing the federal tax code on rental income.

Bottom line, officials say, the space is needed.

"It's Masters Week," Mr. Sherman said. "People have got to park somewhere."