How Masters will take care of ‘devastating occasion,’ Augusta chairman explains

Augusta Nationwide chairman Fred Ridley says he thinks gamers and patrons received’t see any distinction within the situations at this 12 months’s event, following the hurricane that struck the course final September.

However gone from the course, Ridley stated, are an unspecified variety of timber. 

Ridley’s feedback got here Thursday at Pilar Golf Membership in Argentina, the host of this week’s Latin America Newbie Championship, an occasion based by the Masters, the USGA and the R&A. Ridley had been requested how Hurricane Helene had affected Augusta Nationwide, and the way it could have an effect on the Masters, which begins April 10. 

“So far as the affect, the lengthy‑time period affect, we’ve got not fairly as many timber as we did a 12 months in the past,” Ridley stated. “So far as the golf course goes, it’s in spectacular situation. I believe we had minor harm to the course, the taking part in surfaces themselves, however we had been in a position to get that again in form, however I don’t suppose you’re going to see any distinction within the situation for the Masters this 12 months.”

In his response, Ridley stated he was additionally pleased with how Augusta Nationwide responded after the storm. 

“Hurricane Helene,” he stated, “was actually a devastating occasion for the Augusta group and for quite a few communities within the Southeast, significantly in western North Carolina, which I do know you in all probability examine. We suffered a good quantity of affect from the hurricane and as did the complete group. 

“I believe what I’m probably the most pleased with is the response of our whole group to that pure catastrophe, which is actually what it was. And never solely what they did to get Augusta Nationwide again in form, however as importantly, how they pitched in with the Augusta group and actually helped out as a result of there have been many, many individuals — a lot of our folks had been out of their houses for quite a few weeks. No electrical energy.  The group didn’t have water for some time. So, I’m simply actually pleased with how our whole group responded to that.”

Ridley’s feedback adopted these given in releases on Sept. 28 and Oct. 3, and in a press convention on Oct. 2. The previous famous that harm at Augusta Nationwide was being assessed after Helene tore by the area, bringing robust winds and extreme flooding and leaving hundreds of Augusta residents with out energy.  

The Oct. 3 assertion stated that Augusta Nationwide, in a partnership with the Neighborhood Basis for the Central Savannah River Space, was donating $5 million towards the Hurricane Helene Neighborhood Disaster Fund. The discharge additionally stated Augusta Nationwide was making a contribution to assist the response and restoration efforts led by the American Pink Cross and different area people companions.  

“I used to be in Augusta within the days instantly after the storm and have seen firsthand its devastating affect,” Ridley stated in that assertion. “Our staff, neighbors, pals and enterprise house owners want — and deserve — fast and significant help to beat the hardships being skilled at this second all through Augusta. 

“Augusta Nationwide and the Neighborhood Basis every take to coronary heart our obligation to look after our group. Our objective is to make a distinction when it’s wanted probably the most, and our hope is that our reward could encourage others to help or ask how they could contribute to this crucial mission.” 

On Oct. 2 in Japan, as first reported by Golf Digest’s Evin Priest, Ridley additionally stated that Masters date wouldn’t change. He was talking on the Asia-Pacific Newbie Championship, an occasion based by the Masters, the R&A and the Asia Pacific Golf Federation. 

“So far as the golf course, it actually was affected simply as the remainder of the group was,” Ridley stated in response to a query. “There was a whole lot of harm and we’ve got lots of people working onerous to get us again up and working. We don’t actually know precisely what that’s going to imply, however I can let you know, if it’s humanly potential, we will likely be again in enterprise sooner quite than later.”

Notably, Augusta Nationwide has beforehand sustained climate harm. A strong ice storm struck down the membership’s famed Eisenhower Tree within the winter of 2014, and a thunderstorm in the course of the 2023 Masters despatched a pair of timber tumbling over the seventeenth tee. No accidents had been sustained in both occasion.

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