Hurricane Helene raced by means of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas in late September, leaving nothing however a wasteland of destruction within the aftermath.
Its path included Augusta, Georgia, which noticed numerous houses, buildings, and important items of infrastructure endure in depth harm. That additionally included Augusta Nationwide, maybe the holiest place in all of golf.
Regardless of that, Augusta Nationwide Chairman Fred Ridley, talking in a press convention on the Latin America Novice Championship in Argentina, offered an replace on how the course fared by means of the storm.
“[The golf course is] in spectacular situation,” Ridley mentioned.
“We had minor harm to the course, the enjoying surfaces themselves, however we have been in a position to get that again in form, however I don’t assume you’re going to see any distinction within the situation for the Masters this 12 months.”
Ridley additionally famous that the course misplaced a number of timber.
However the membership’s focus has at all times been on who wants assist outdoors of the membership’s gates quite than what must be addressed on the within.
“Hurricane Helene was actually a devastating occasion for the Augusta neighborhood and for quite a few communities within the southeast, notably in western North Carolina, which I do know you most likely examine,” Ridley added.
“What I’m essentially the most happy with is the response of our complete group to that pure catastrophe, which is admittedly what it was. And never solely what they did to get Augusta Nationwide again in form, however as importantly, how they pitched in with the Augusta neighborhood and actually helped out as a result of there have been many, many individuals, a lot of our folks have been out of their houses for quite a few weeks. No electrical energy. The neighborhood didn’t have water for some time. So, I’m simply actually happy with how our complete group responded to that.”
On Oct. 3, the membership introduced that it had pledged $5 million towards the Hurricane Helene Neighborhood Disaster Fund. This pledge got here simply days after the storm made landfall and tore by means of the area.
“I used to be in Augusta within the days instantly after the storm and have seen firsthand its devastating affect,” Ridley mentioned in a press release launched then.
“Our staff, neighbors, mates, and enterprise homeowners want, and deserve, instant and significant help to beat the hardships being skilled at this second all through Augusta.
“Augusta Nationwide and the Neighborhood Basis every take to coronary heart our obligation to take care of our neighborhood. Our objective is to make a distinction when it’s wanted essentially the most, and our hope is that our reward could encourage others to help or ask how they might contribute to this important mission.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. Observe him on X @jack_milko.
