Money talks.
Augusta National Golf Club, the hush-hush golf capital of the world, once again let its unlimited capital resources do the talking.
Put simply, Augusta National Golf Club gets what it wants.
The most enviable negotiating position in the world is to own something that Augusta National wants.
That was the case for the neighboring Augusta Country Club.
If you’ve ever been to The Masters, you can see another course up on the hill, left side of the par five 13th hole. That’s the eighth and ninth holes at Augusta Country Club, they wrap the 13th tee and run behind the 12th green.
One of Augusta National’s worst-kept secrets is its desire to consider lengthening the par five 13th. To do that, the men in the Green Jackets needed that Augusta C.C. land.
The board at Augusta C.C. kept pretty quiet but knew a potential wind-fall deal was there to be had.
Of course there are no financial details but this is for certain — Augusta National is forking over enough loot for Augusta C.C. to hire the architect of its choice to redesign its course where needed. Oh, and by the way Billy (Payne), our clubhouse could use some real nice remodeling as well so we’ll add some in for that. The bottom line is that it was good to be Augusta County Club in this deal.
Of course, there’s no comment whatsoever from Augusta National but club chairman Billy Payne did reflect last April during The Masters on the club’s ongoing ability to make changes:
“It’s fair to say, as is always the case, we are always looking at certain holes, certain other improvements to the golf course, and we talked about some of those, and I think they are all pretty obvious. We have a great opportunity now in that we own the old Berckmans Road. It gives us the ability, as it touches certain holes, it gives us some way to expand … lengthen some of those holes, should we choose to do so, and all of them are under review.”
Now add the Augusta Country Club parcel.
Money talks.
