Augusta National worried about distance threat

Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament during a press conference prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Wednesday, November 11, 2020. Picture: Augusta National

Augusta National admits that the club and the game is at “a crossroads” when it comes to stopping big hitters like Bryson DeChambeau destroying the integrity of the course.

Chairman Fred Ridley admitted that while the growing band of bombers is a worry and a threat to holes such as the par-five 13th, he’s reluctant to make changes to the course.

Hopeful that the R&A and USGA will propose solution when the issue their report on distance next April, he added: “I do think that we're coming closer to a call to action.

“And all I can say is that, as it relates to our golf course, we have options, and we will take the necessary action to make sure we stay relevant.”

On the 510-yard 13th, which DeChambeau reached in two with a pitching wedge in practice, he said: “It still provides a lot of drama, but its challenge is being diminished. We don't think that's good for the Masters. We don't think it's good for the game. But the issue is a lot larger than Augusta National and the Masters.

“We have options, as I said, we can make changes, but not every golf course can. Having said that, it's a balance because the next question is, obviously, or should be, well, you don't want to make the game harder.

“On one hand we want to say we want to grow the game, and on the other hand we're saying we're worried about distance. I think everybody just has got to get their head together and figure it out.”

It’s been a good Masters for Ridley, who on Monday announced that Lee Elder, the first black golfer to play in the Masters, would be an honorary starter in 2021 and that the club would pay for a women’s golf programme at a local university.

Yesterday, the club also announced that in partnership with AT&T, Bank of America and IBM, it wouldmake a combined contribution of $10 million to the Augusta community “that will help spur the redevelopment of the nearby Harrisburg and Laney Walker neighbourhoods, a noteworthy but historically underserved portion of the city’s urban core.”