Hurricane Helene raced by 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 properties, buildings, and important items of infrastructure endure intensive injury. 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 Beginner Championship in Argentina, supplied an replace on how the course fared by the storm.
“[The golf course is] in spectacular situation,” Ridley stated.
“We had minor injury to the course, the taking part in surfaces themselves, however we have been in a position to get that again in form, however I don’t suppose you’re going to see any distinction within the situation for the Masters this yr.”
Ridley additionally famous that the course misplaced just a few timber.
However the membership’s focus has all the time been on who wants assist exterior of the membership’s gates somewhat 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 whole 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 individuals have been out of their properties 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 whole group responded to that.”
On Oct. 3, the membership introduced that it had pledged $5 million towards the Hurricane Helene Group Disaster Fund. This pledge got here simply days after the storm made landfall and tore by the area.
“I used to be in Augusta within the days instantly after the storm and have seen firsthand its devastating influence,” Ridley stated in a press release launched then.
“Our staff, neighbors, pals, and enterprise house owners want, and deserve, fast and significant help to beat the hardships being skilled at this second all through Augusta.
“Augusta Nationwide and the Group 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 might encourage others to help or ask how they could contribute to this essential mission.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. Observe him on X @jack_milko.
