Helene devastated the community and home of the Masters. The club has pledges over $5 million in local support while images confirm the "significant" damage done to the course.
"I think that I shall never see. A poem lovely as a tree." Obviously she never lived thru a hurricane or had to deal with home insurance.
I and my two neighbors recently won a fight with our HOA to cut down two oak trees that threatened the houses, driveways, foundations, sidewalks. Luckily there is one reasonable HOA member who understands that large oaks should never have been planted on small lots (80'-100' wide). The tree huggers were unreasonable even when shown cracks in driveways, exposed roots heading toward the foundations, heaves in the sidewalks. We dodged Helene. We may dodge Milton.
Media is essentially useless in covering the damage. Just click bait stuff. Everything that is broadcast is just used to make a political point. Not covered are the agricultural losses in FL and GA for example.
Regarding damage to Augusta National ...Maybe the course might be "ready" for play but can the damaged Augusta infrastructure (hotels, roads,etc) support the activity?
Professional golf has a lot of problems, but generosity is not one of them. Augusta National’s donation is meaningful. I’m sure they will continue to help where they can. Kudos to them. And out thoughts and prays to those impacted here and in Asheville.
Thanks so much for the update, Geoff. Trees have a lifetime just like every other living thing. Here in California, we all forget that when mature pine forests go up in flames it's just the end of that life cycle. Typically it's meadow to scrub to mixed forest to pine forest to meadow. In the south, those trees were never intended to be that tall or isolated. Big winds and the saturated ground from heavy rain are going to bring them down. It's a shame because they are so majestic. Change is the only constant in life though. The course will return, changed forever. You are so right though... The human cost of the storm is the true tragedy. Prayers and thoughts for all the people affected by Helene, Milton and the inevitable next one.
Outstanding and comprehensive reporting - thanks. The Masters is my favorite tournament and with their seemingly unlimited resources I am sure the course will appear pristine in April.
Nice update, Geoff
Excellent review of the devastation. Who else is going to spend the time at access drone footage and weather maps. Thank you Geoff.
"I think that I shall never see. A poem lovely as a tree." Obviously she never lived thru a hurricane or had to deal with home insurance.
I and my two neighbors recently won a fight with our HOA to cut down two oak trees that threatened the houses, driveways, foundations, sidewalks. Luckily there is one reasonable HOA member who understands that large oaks should never have been planted on small lots (80'-100' wide). The tree huggers were unreasonable even when shown cracks in driveways, exposed roots heading toward the foundations, heaves in the sidewalks. We dodged Helene. We may dodge Milton.
Media is essentially useless in covering the damage. Just click bait stuff. Everything that is broadcast is just used to make a political point. Not covered are the agricultural losses in FL and GA for example.
Regarding damage to Augusta National ...Maybe the course might be "ready" for play but can the damaged Augusta infrastructure (hotels, roads,etc) support the activity?
Professional golf has a lot of problems, but generosity is not one of them. Augusta National’s donation is meaningful. I’m sure they will continue to help where they can. Kudos to them. And out thoughts and prays to those impacted here and in Asheville.
Great coverage. Augusta certainly a great course. Hopefully those extremely deep pockets will ease the damage.
Thank you for your care and concern of the Augusta area and all of those impacted.
This is great info. The scope of the damage and work ahead is hard to imagine. Looking forward to updates going forward.
Concur with what has been submitted as comments;
1. ANCC damage small stuff in comparison
2. Good for them to chip in to help recovery
3. If any club can figure out how to recover and be ready in April '25 it is ANGC
Thanks so much for the update, Geoff. Trees have a lifetime just like every other living thing. Here in California, we all forget that when mature pine forests go up in flames it's just the end of that life cycle. Typically it's meadow to scrub to mixed forest to pine forest to meadow. In the south, those trees were never intended to be that tall or isolated. Big winds and the saturated ground from heavy rain are going to bring them down. It's a shame because they are so majestic. Change is the only constant in life though. The course will return, changed forever. You are so right though... The human cost of the storm is the true tragedy. Prayers and thoughts for all the people affected by Helene, Milton and the inevitable next one.
Outstanding and comprehensive reporting - thanks. The Masters is my favorite tournament and with their seemingly unlimited resources I am sure the course will appear pristine in April.