OT. Fred Ridley is the most consequential chairman of Augusta since Roberts

[Tommy Williamsen]

He began the Women's' Amateur event, has been more outspoken about race, financially helps support Paine College with   a Lee Elder scholarship, and now a financial gift to the Hub Foundation for Community Innovation.. He has made some judicious changes to the course. He is a classy person.

[Jeff Schley]

I like Fred Ridley certainly, but is the Chairman a dictator for the other members? I know they are the sole spokesperson for the club, but I would be surprised if they have carte blanche to just do whatever they want without the other members voting on these major issues.

I think the membership has adjusted themselves appropriately and commend them for doing so with the changes. I see it as changing with the times and the Chairman (Fred Ridley or other) has led that on behalf of the membership. However, this takes leadership and commend FR for providing it.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Even if the chairman does have dictatorial powers, I think Ridley is collaborative.

[Mark Smolens]

I don't think you can underestimate the difficulty in generating "collaboration" among the membership of a place like Augusta National

[Bill Gayne]

I would like to have been a fly on the wall when the idea of the Dude Perfect video was pitched to Fred Ridley. I'm not even sure how that conversation would begin.

[MClutterbuck]

I would like to have been a fly on the wall when the idea of the Dude Perfect video was pitched to Fred Ridley. I'm not even sure how that conversation would begin.

"These guys have 57 million subscribers on You Tube and..."


From what I understand, the Chairman does not need to consult or generate much consensus.

[Bill Gayne]

Then Ridley responds "my grand kids watch You Tube."

[Tim_Cronin]

He began Drive, chip, and putt, the Women's' Amateur event, has been more outspoken about race, financially helps support Paine College with a Lee Elder scholarship, and now a financial gift to the Hub Foundation for Community Innovation.. He has made some judicious changes to the course. He is a classy person.

Billy Payne was the chairman when Drive Chip & Putt began in 2014. He was also in charge when the first female members were invited.


As I understand it, the board has final approval on all the big stuff, including course changes. But not every member gets clued in. Many were surprised when the AN Women's Am was announced.

[Tommy Williamsen]

He began Drive, chip, and putt, the Women's' Amateur event, has been more outspoken about race, financially helps support Paine College with a Lee Elder scholarship, and now a financial gift to the Hub Foundation for Community Innovation.. He has made some judicious changes to the course. He is a classy person.

Billy Payne was the chairman when Drive Chip & Putt began in 2014. He was also in charge when the first female members were invited.

You’re right. Thanks.

[Mike Sweeney]

Fred is not a Closer

Augusta family next to Masters golf course keeps turning down millions for their 1,900-square-foot house

https://www.insider.com/masters-augusta-national-house-not-for-sale-neighbors-property-2022-4

[Bill Gayne]

Interesting picture with all the Bermuda grass dormant and the rye not grown in. Bunkers covered with liners. Looks like a real southern dog track.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Speaking of that, anyone know why the area around the 12th green and the 13th tee aren't dormant in the Google Maps photo.   Everywhere else on the course is, other than the greens:

 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Augusta+National+Golf+Club/@33.4955338,-82.0245159,466m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x88f9cd9fe8a776ed:0x519b380162b90517!8m2!3d33.5021365!4d-82.0226276

[Joel_Stewart]

Interesting topic.  Fred Ridley is only 69 years old and still could lead some more positive changes.


As for the course architecture, Hootie Johnson was very significant in Tiger proofing the course.  In fact he was in charge of two major renovations.

[Bill Gayne]

On second look, delete post.

[Kalen Braley]

Interesting topic.  Fred Ridley is only 69 years old and still could lead some more positive changes.


As for the course architecture, Hootie Johnson was very significant in Tiger proofing the course.  In fact he was in charge of two major renovations.

I always get a chuckle at "Tiger Proofing", given his results

5 wins
8 top 3s
14 top 10s
22 for 22 in cuts made as a professional.

Earl was right, if anything they set it up so he could have even more success...

[MClutterbuck]

Speaking of that, anyone know why the area around the 12th green and the 13th tee aren't dormant in the Google Maps photo.   Everywhere else on the course is, other than the greens:

 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Augusta+National+Golf+Club/@33.4955338,-82.0245159,466m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x88f9cd9fe8a776ed:0x519b380162b90517!8m2!3d33.5021365!4d-82.0226276

Wayne, the photo you are seeing I believe is from September 20, 2019, and my best guess is the club seeded that section of the course a couple of weeks ahead of the rest of the couse. Probably because it is so shaded. If I see the photo correctly, rye grass is starting to show across the course.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Thanks - that makes sense.  That must be a tough area to grow grass due to the lack of sun, but since it is ANGC I imagine they may bring in artificial lighting and heating if required.

[David_Tepper]

Great video tour of the AGNC clubhouse in case you have not seen it (or been there ):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLatNS3Z_30