Aerial footage shows true extent of Augusta National damage

Fresh drone footage shows a very different look to one corner of Augusta National after the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

Communities in the town of Augusta, Georgia are still reeling from the hurricane, the deadliest mainland storm since Katrina in 2005.

The harrowing extreme weather caused at least 228 deaths and thousands of homes to be destroyed.

The famed home of the Masters just happened to be in the hurricane’s path of destruction.

Last month footage showed damage to Magnolia Lane and down Washington Road, and now we have more aerial evidence of the damage done to the course itself.

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Before and after images posted on X by Eureka Earth show fewer trees shading the putting surface on iconic the par-3 16th and the 17th after they were felled during the storm.

Of course, it would be no surprise to see new trees filling out the unusually deserted area ahead of the 2025 renewal.

⛳🌀👀 Before-and-after images from our photo library show some of Hurricane Helene's effects on Augusta National Golf Club.

( 📸©30MAY2024 EurekaEarth)

( 📸©19OCT2024 EurekaEarth)#TheMasters #Masters2025 pic.twitter.com/uHmSwBi6w6

— Eureka Earth® (@EurekaEarthPlus) November 5, 2024

Despite the damage, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley has confirmed that the first major of the season will definitely take place as scheduled on April 10-13.

“As far as the golf course, it really was affected just as the rest of the community was,” Ridley said. “There was a lot of damage and we have a lot of people working hard to get us back up and running.”

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“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.”

“The Masters will be held, it will be on the dates it’s scheduled to be held.”

Ridley also confirmed that, in partnership with the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), ANGC will make a joint $5million donation towards the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, supporting relief efforts in the local community.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.