Hurricane Helene raced via 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 undergo intensive 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, supplied an replace on how the course fared via the storm.
“[The golf course is] in spectacular situation,” Ridley stated.
“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 just a few timber.
However the membership’s focus has at all times been on who wants assist outdoors of the membership’s gates slightly than what must be addressed on the within.
“Hurricane Helene was actually a devastating occasion for the Augusta neighborhood and for numerous communities within the southeast, notably in western North Carolina, which I do know you most likely examine,” Ridley added.
“What I’m probably the most happy with is the response of our whole group to that pure catastrophe, which is de facto 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, lots of our individuals have been out of their houses for numerous 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 via the area.
“I used to be in Augusta within the days instantly after the storm and have seen firsthand its devastating impression,” Ridley stated in a press release launched then.
“Our workers, neighbors, buddies, and enterprise house owners want, and deserve, quick 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 look after our neighborhood. Our objective is to make a distinction when it’s wanted probably the most, and our hope is that our reward could encourage others to help or ask how they might contribute to this crucial mission.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.
