Fred Ridley Confirms: The Masters Will Go On Despite Hurricane Helene’s Devastation
Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley recently reassured fans that the prestigious Masters Tournament, scheduled for April 2025, will proceed as planned. This announcement comes in the wake of Hurricane Helene, a catastrophic storm that severely impacted Augusta, Georgia, and much of the southeastern United States. Along with this update, Ridley also highlighted the club’s $5 million donation to local relief efforts, showing Augusta National’s dedication to helping the community recover.
Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan, Ridley shared that while some key Augusta National staff stayed behind to aid in recovery efforts, the focus remains on rebuilding the local community. He expressed deep concern over the hurricane’s effects, noting that many Augusta residents, including employees of the club, were left without power, water, and essential services for days. The club has prioritized assisting its employees and neighbors during this challenging time, showing a strong commitment to the well-being of the local population.
“Something that I’ve really never seen in my lifetime,” Ridley said, referring to the devastation caused by the hurricane. “We are really focusing on our employees and our neighbors… to try to help everybody get back on their feet.”
Drone footage captured widespread destruction at Augusta National, particularly along the famed Magnolia Lane. The adjacent Augusta Country Club, which shares a border with Augusta National, reported that over 600 trees were uprooted on its course alone. The National Weather Service recorded wind gusts as high as 82 mph at Augusta Regional Airport when the eye of Hurricane Helene passed directly over the city.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp visited the area to assess the damage, describing the hurricane’s effects as “unprecedented.” Vice President Kamala Harris also made a stop in Augusta, emphasizing the federal government’s support for the region’s recovery. Over 1.3 million Georgia residents lost power, further illustrating the hurricane’s severity.
Despite the significant damage, Ridley remains confident that the Masters will take place as scheduled in early April 2025. The club, which has been closed since May, was expected to reopen to members in October. However, given the extensive cleanup required, that reopening may be delayed. Ridley refrained from providing specific details on when the club will be fully operational again, but he expressed optimism about Augusta National’s swift recovery.
“As far as the golf course, it really was affected just as the rest of the community was,” Ridley said. “We have a lot of people working hard to get us back up and running… if it’s humanly possible, we’ll be back in business sooner rather than later.”
n addition to its efforts to restore the club, Augusta National has pledged $5 million to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to the area. The donation will be used to support recovery efforts across Augusta and surrounding communities, helping businesses and residents rebuild in the aftermath of the hurricane.
In the face of such adversity, the people of Augusta, along with Augusta National Golf Club, are showing remarkable resilience. With cleanup and recovery well underway, both the community and the iconic Masters Tournament are set to bounce back stronger than ever.