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Fred Ridley says Augusta National suffered “a lot of damage” after a catastrophic storm ripped through the south of the United States.
Hurricane Helene has devastated the southeastern states in the US, with over 150 people killed. Millions have been left without power and, with emergency crews still making rescue efforts, the full extent of the damage has not yet been discovered.
In a brief statement on Saturday, Ridley said that “we currently are assessing the effects at Augusta National Golf Club. In the meantime, our focus and efforts are foremost with our staff, neighbours and business owners in Augusta.”
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Of course, the primary concern in this corner of Georgia and beyond has been on the devastating impact it has caused families .
But social media images showing the extent of the damage on Magnolia Lane and Washington Road – which runs along the north border of Augusta National – caused intrigue from golf fans over the possible impact on the Masters.
🚨🚁⛳️#NEW: Drone footage shows the devastation to Augusta National’s Magnolia Lane (video via MrHushpuppy / YouTube) pic.twitter.com/uhKifmThZ4
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) September 28, 2024
Speaking in a press conference at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan, Ridley gave a further update on the damage to the course itself.
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“As far as the golf course, it really was affected just as the rest of the community was … there was a lot of damage and we have a lot of people working hard to get us back up and running,” Ridley said, as per Golf Digest’s Evin Priest.
“We don’t really know exactly what that’s going to mean, but I can tell you … if it’s humanly possible, we will be back in business sooner rather than later.”
Ridley confirmed the 2025 Masters Tournament will take place, as planned, on April 10-13.
He added: “The Masters will be held, it will be on the dates it’s scheduled to be held.”
On Thursday, Ridley also announced that, in partnership with the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), Augusta National Golf Club will make a joint $5million donation towards the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, supporting relief efforts in the local community.
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