Former Masters champ says 16th hole at Augusta National ‘wasn’t open’ due to flood damage on green

“I was told the green had (damage) and the hole wasn’t open,” he told Golfweek of a November round.

Two months after Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction through Augusta, a former Masters Champion spoke about the course conditions.

The past winner played a round at Augusta National Golf Club in mid-November, and told Golfweek, “The trees on the left side of No. 1 looked thin; thinner than normal. And so did the right side of No. 9.”

But the most notable difference wasn’t the alleged missing pines. Upon completing the par-5 15th, the foursome was informed that the 16th hole was not open for play.

“So after we played 15, we went straight to 17.”

Augusta National declined to comment about No. 16.

Just weeks ago, photos were released that showed significant damage to the 16th green, along with a number of trees down.


As for other areas of Augusta National, the past champion said the course “was in great shape.”

According to the past champ, Magnolia Lane “looked the same.”

“The clubhouse had no damage,” he added.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley announced a $5 million donation would be made towards the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund.

2024 Masters Tournament
The No. 16 green at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Network)

“Our Augusta community has suffered catastrophic and historic impact from Hurricane Helene. We currently are assessing the effects at Augusta National Golf Club,” Ridley wrote.

The 16th green has been a staple for historic moments at the Masters Tournament — most notably in years that end with ‘5.’ It has also recorded the most aces of any hole at Augusta National with 24.

  • This April, the iconic chip turns 20. When asked about his Nike ball clinging over the edge before toppling in, Tiger Woods said in the aftermath of the 2005 Masters, “All of a sudden it looked pretty good. And all of a sudden it looked really good. And then it looked like how could it not go in, and how did it not go in, and all of a sudden it went in. So it was pretty sweet.”
  • A decade ago, Jordan Spieth reeled in a left-to-right par putt on No. 16, which Spieth described as, “The most clutch putt I’ve ever hit in my life.”
  • Thirty years ago, in 1995, Ben Crenshaw birdied No. 16 to seize a one-stroke lead.
  • A half-century ago, Jack Nicklaus drained a 40-footer, then broke into a celebratory trot around the green. The putt, which announcer Henry Longhurst described as, “The greatest putt I ever saw in my life,” helped Nicklaus fend off Tom Weiskopf and Johnny Miller by a stroke.

Here are the golfers who are qualified so far for the 2025 Masters Tournament, with more to come

It’s the first men’s major of the year. It’s the best major of the year, according to many.

It’s the first men’s major of the year. It’s the best major of the year, according to many. It’s a somewhat exclusive field to get into, as many years there are about 90 golfers – there were 89 in 2024 – on the tee sheet at Augusta National Golf Club. That compares to most tournaments with 132 golfers with some having as many 156, like the U.S. Open.

As the 2024 calendar year moves into December, it’s time to take a look at those golfers who have already earned a trip down Magnolia Lane, per the PGA Tour’s website, which is gathering names for those who have qualified for all four of the 2025 majors plus other significant events.

The list includes four amateurs who must maintain that amateur status if they would like to play in April. Those four are: Jose Luis Ballester, Evan Beck, Noah Kent and Hiroshi Tai.

Who is qualified for 2025 Masters?

  • Ludvig Aberg
  • Byeong Hun An
  • Jose Luis Ballester (a)
  • Evan Beck (a)
  • Christiaan Bezuidenhout
  • Akshay Bhatia
  • Keegan Bradley
  • Sam Burns
  • Rafael Campos
  • Patrick Cantlay
  • Fred Couples
  • Cam Davis
  • Bryson DeChambeau
  • Thomas Detry
  • Nico Echavarria
  • Austin Eckroat
  • Tony Finau
  • Matt Fitzpatrick
  • Tommy Fleetwood
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Brian Harman
  • Tyrrell Hatton
  • Russell Henley
  • Tom Hoge
  • Max Homa
  • Billy Horschel
  • Viktor Hovland
  • Sungjae Im
  • Dustin Johnson
  • Zach Johnson
  • Noah Kent (a)
  • Chris Kirk
  • Patton Kizzire
  • Brooks Koepka
  • Bernhard Langer
  • Thriston Lawrence
  • Shane Lowry
  • Robert MacIntyre
  • Matt McCarty
  • Rory McIlroy
  • Maverick McNealy
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Jose Maria Olazabal
  • Matthieu Pavon
  • Taylor Pendrith
  • J.T. Poston
  • Jon Rahm
  • Aaron Rai
  • Patrick Reed
  • Davis Riley
  • Justin Rose
  • Xander Schauffele
  • Scottie Scheffler
  • Adam Schenk
  • Charl Schwartzel
  • Adam Scott
  • Cameron Smith
  • Jordan Spieth
  • Sepp Straka
  • Hiroshi Tai (a)
  • Sahith Theegala
  • Justin Thomas
  • Davis Thompson
  • Jhonattan Vegas
  • Bubba Watson
  • Mike Weir
  • Danny Willett
  • Tiger Woods
  • Cameron Young
  • Kevin Yu
  • Will Zalatoris

The 2025 Masters is set for April 10-13. There are still a few ways for those not yet in the field to earn their way in:

  • Win a PGA Tour event that awards full FedEx Cup points
  • Be in the top 50 of Official World Golf Ranking on Dec. 31, 2024
  • Win of the Latin America Amateur Championship on Jan. 19, and remain an amateur
  • Be in the top 50 of OWGR on March 31, 2025
  • Receive a special invitation as an international player from the Masters Tournament Committee

The 2025 Masters will be the 90th edition.

Report: Eli Manning, former CBS Sports exec among newest members at Augusta National Golf Club

Augusta National declined comment.

It’s a tradition unlike any other: trying to spot the newest members of Augusta National Golf Club at the Masters in April.

Sometimes the news trickles out ahead of time such as last year when Golfweek learned that Annika Sorenstam was one of the club’s newest members. This year, citing “sources,” Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter reported former New York Giants QB Eli Manning and Sean McManus, who retired after this year’s Masters as chairman of CBS Sports, the longtime TV partner of the Masters, are among the newest members to sport the club’s famous green jacket. Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon, and Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Airlines, are other new members.

Manning’s brother, Peyton, already is a member at ANGC. SBJ noted in its story other prominent members in the sports community include NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Braves Chair & CEO Terry McGuirk, among others.

Augusta National has traditionally cited membership as a private matter and gone to great lengths to keep its membership list, which is believed to be in the neighborhood of 300 and includes a group of some of the wealthiest and most powerful businessmen — and since 2012 women — private.

Augusta National was founded as a men’s-only club in 1932. It began hosting the Masters in 1934.

Augusta National declined comment.

Aerial footage shows dozens of trees missing at Augusta National after damage from Hurricane Helene

The corner of Augusta National shown in these photos is the 15th and 16th greens and the 17th tee box.

Hurricane Helene devasted hundreds of communities earlier this year, including the town of Augusta, Georiga, which just so happens to be the home of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters.

Aerial footage was released last month showing extensive damage to the famed Magnolia Lane, and now we have more aerial photos showing dozens of trees missing from the golf course.

We’ll have to wait and see what the course does to fix this problem, but knowing the power of ANGC, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see new trees filling out this area come April.

The corner of Augusta National shown in these photos is the 15th and 16th greens and the 17th tee box.

Despite the damage around the golf course, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley expects the 2025 Masters to be played as scheduled.

Augusta National is just one course in the region still picking up after Hurricane Helene’s devastation

Golf courses that make up much of the Augusta area’s identity continue to slowly dig out from the damage.

Blasted by Hurricane Helene like the rest of the region, the golf courses that make up much of the Augusta area’s identity continue to slowly dig out from the damage caused by the storm.

Thousands of tall pines, oaks and other hardwoods that once lined fairways and greens now lie toppled over or have been cut up and stacked like cordwood in huge piles.

But in several locations, courses have reopened and golfers are back on the links.

A sample of how the Augusta area’s golf courses fared include an estimated 300 trees downed at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course. Other courses also were victims of the 80 mph-plus winds that slammed the area on Sept. 27. Forest Hills Golf Club had an estimated 2,000 trees damaged. West Lake Country Club cleared out some 1,100 trees, while Goshen Plantation Golf Club had more 300 trees blown over or damaged.

Even Augusta National Golf Club, the course that put Augusta on the golfing map, suffered serious damage. During a news conference in Japan earlier this month, club Chairman Fred Ridley said the course was seriously damaged by the hurricane.

“Our Augusta community has suffered catastrophic and historic impact from Hurricane Helene. We currently are assessing the effects at Augusta National Golf Club,” wrote club Chairman Fred Ridley. “In the meantime, our focus and efforts are foremost with our staff, neighbors and business owners in Augusta. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as well as everyone throughout Georgia and the Southeast who have been affected.”

He added that the club will be up and running “sooner rather than later.” Augusta National officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Goshen owner Spike Kelley said after Helene blew through Augusta his crew got busy cleaning up the mess, breaking out the chain saws and putting heavy equipment to work pushing trees off the fairways and into the rough.

Goshen had nine holes open within a week of the storm and the remaining nine within the following seven days.

Coverage from the Augusta Chronicle:

A large tree was split in half outside the clubhouse for the Augusta Municipal Golf Course “The Patch” due to Hurricane Helene a few weeks ago in Augusta, Ga. on Oct. 19, 2024.

Sam Upshaw Jr./The Augusta Chronicle/Gannett/Imagn Images

“We started in the middle of the fairway and pushed the debris and everything to the side of the fairway. They pushed that to the rough and into the extreme rough. And once we got the hole playable, then we could let people play,” Kelly said Saturday.

Demarcus Lanham, assistant pro at the Augusta municipal course, said there were about 55 people out playing Saturday, about half the number usually playing during a weekend.

Because of downed trees still lying helter-skelter about the grounds, the course was not yet completely open. Golfers were limited to playing only nine holes this past weekend, Lanham said.

Vinny Brooks came out to play a few rounds Saturday and enjoy the sunshine at the course, also known as The Patch. But he said it was emotional for him to see the wind-blown tree damage.

Brooks said he has been playing at The Patch since 1979 with a group of friends known as the Irish Mafia. The damage from Hurricane Helene was the worst he had ever seen in the Augusta area, even worse than the destruction caused by the ice storm that hit the area some 10 years ago.

The numerous trees lying on their sides with their root balls exposed had turned a “pretty” course into a landscape that was not easy for Brooks to look at. And it had him feeling blue.

“When you see this kind of damage, and you’ve never seen it before ― you always hear it, watch it on TV ― it’s depressing when it happens to you. I can’t imagine how people in Florida feel,” Brooks said of Florida residents who went through Hurricane Milton shortly after Helene raged through the Augusta area.

“It was hard for me to come out here see this course like this. It’s always been a pretty course,” Brooks said.

Because of the potential danger from damaged trees, Lanham and Kelley both said players at their courses were discouraged from going into the rough to shag a wandering ball. Until the damaged trees were cleaned up, The Patch also was closing early, at 5 p.m., for the safety of players.

Lanham said officials hoped to have crews come out to assess the damage and begin cleanup this week.

James Shulfer lines up a fairway shot with the backdrop of a fallen tree at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course “The Patch” in Augusta, Ga. on Oct. 19, 2024. The course reopened recently after closing due to damage suffered following Hurricane Helene a few weeks ago that took this and other trees down.

Sam Upshaw Jr./The Augusta Chronicle/Gannett/Imagn Images

James Shulfer said he came out to play Saturday to get away from the difficulties caused by the hurricane and other issues weighing on him.

“I come here to recharge and to renew myself,” Shulfer said. “I can just come and be myself and just relax, kind of let go of all that. Yeah, you just forget about all that. Here you just have to focus on one thing ― to hit the ball and find it and hit it again. And that’s your only goal.”

It was tough for the first two weeks after Helene came through and the municipal course was closed, Shulfer said. He wasn’t sure if would even reopen again.

“So I actually came here and walked the course, and I was devastated when I found those beautiful trees that I’ve grown to love and hate at the same time were gone,” he said.

One big oak tree that had for years slapped down the balls he tried to hit over and around it was now gone, struck down by the wind. But since he has returned to the course, he misses his old nemesis, which lies horizontal on the grass.

Also lost was the communal shade tree where the Irish Mafia would gather after a round of golf, Shulfer said.

“I love the character of this course. It’s a beautiful, walkable course. But now it’s totally different. It’s been scarred. It’s almost like I will always see those scars, even though they will replant trees. I will always remember the course the way I first played it, and just like everyone has played it since 1928 when it was first opened,” Shulfer said.

Scottie Scheffler dishes on his Masters Champions Dinner menu

“I’m wondering if I should just have the same exact menu. It was pretty good.”

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

That’s the Scottie Scheffler approach to cooking up his menu for the Champions Dinner on Tuesday of Masters week —April 5th for those of you scoring at home.

It’s one of the traditions like none other during Masters week —the defending champion hosts a dinner at Augusta National’s clubhouse for all the past champions and not only picks the menu but picks up the check. It’s a tradition started by Ben Hogan in 1952.

When Scheffler won the 2023 Masters, his menu for the dinner featured cheeseburger sliders served “Scottie style,” firecracker shrimp, tortilla soup, Texas ribeye steak, or blackened redfish and then a warm chocolate chip skillet cookie with milk and ice cream for dessert.

During his appearance on Golf’s Subpar podcast, Scheffler, who won the Masters in April for the second time, was asked if he’d been giving any thought to his menu for the big night yet. Scheffler answered that he had.

“I’m wondering if I should just have the same exact menu,” he said. “It was pretty good. It’s all my favorite foods. I don’t know really what I could do differently. I think it would be kind of fun just to have the exact same food.”

If Scheffler repeats the same meal, he wouldn’t be the first to do so. He would be taking a page out of the Tiger Woods playbook. Tiger famously served cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, French fries and milkshakes in 1998, his first year as host of the dinner, but in 2003 for his third time calling the shots he repeated the menu of porterhouse steak, chicken and sushi from his 2002 menu.

Scheffler still has some time to reconsider but there’s no reason to mess with a menu that includes sliders “Scottie style” and how do you top the warm chocolate chip skillet cookie anyway?

Insinuating that Scheffler will win even more Green Jackets before his career is over, podcast co-host Drew Stoltz joked, “They’re going to get tired of having that exact same meal.”

After ‘a lot of damage’ due to Hurricane Helene, Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley gives status update for 2025 Masters

“As far as the golf course, it really was affected just as the rest of the community was.”

Hurricane Helene swept through the southern part of the country last week, leaving behind an extensive amount of damage to several states. The home of the Masters — Augusta, Georgia — was one of the thousands of communities affected by the natural disaster. On Saturday, Augusta National Golf Club released a statement regarding the status of the golf course.

“Our Augusta community has suffered catastrophic and historic impact from Hurricane Helene. We currently are assessing the effects at Augusta National Golf Club,” wrote club Chairman Fred Ridley. “In the meantime, our focus and efforts are foremost with our staff, neighbors and business owners in Augusta. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as well as everyone throughout Georgia and the Southeast who have been affected.”

Ridley is in Japan for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at the Taiheiyo Club, where the winner will earn an invitation to play in the 2025 Masters and British Open.

More: Drone footage shows extensive damage to Augusta National Golf Club’s Magnolia Lane caused by Hurricane Helene

While meeting with the media, Ridley touched on a few things regarding the condition of Augusta National, including whether or not the course would be ready for April.

“As far as the golf course, it really was affected just as the rest of the community was,” he said according to Golf Digest. “… There was a lot of damage and we have a lot of people working hard to get us back up and running.”

He added that the club will be up and running “sooner rather than later.”

2024 Masters
Scottie Scheffler gives a thumbs up to the crowd after winning the 2024 Masters Tournament. (Photo: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Network)

More: Masters to expand TV window in 2025, adds new sponsor to mix

As for the year’s first major being played as scheduled …

“The Masters will be held … on the dates it’s scheduled to be held,” Ridley said.

The first round of the Masters is scheduled for April 10.

Drone footage shows extensive damage to Augusta National Golf Club’s Magnolia Lane caused by Hurricane Helene

Watch the video here.

Hurricane Helene swept through the southern part of the country last week, leaving behind damaged communities that are now in rebuild mode. One of those was Augusta, Georgia, and the home of the Masters was not spared.

Augusta National Golf Club suffered “a lot of damage,” according to Chairman Fred Ridley, however, he said the golf course will be ready to host the year’s first major championship in April.

While there have been a few posts floating around social media showing the damage done to the historic venue, this drone footage gives a detailed look at Magnolia Lane after Helene left the area.

Trees down: Augusta National ‘assessing the effects’ of Hurricane Helene

“We currently are assessing the effects at Augusta National Golf Club.”

Augusta National Golf Club is top of mind with golf fans after Hurricane Helene hit Augusta, Georgia, leaving more than 200,000 residents without power.

The Category 4 storm rolled through the area on Friday, leading to speculation that the home of the Masters could have suffered significant damage in the process. On Saturday morning, the private club that hosts the season’s first men’s major and is ranked No. 3 in the Golfweek’s Best Classic Course list, issued a statement regarding the storm on its social media platform.

“Our Augusta community has suffered catastrophic and historic impact from Hurricane Helene. We currently are assessing the effects at Augusta National Golf Club,” wrote club Chairman Fred Ridley. “In the meantime, our focus and efforts are foremost with our staff, neighbors and business owners in Augusta. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as well as everyone throughout Georgia and the Southeast who have been affected.”

https://twitter.com/TheMasters/status/1840028796524622218

Hurrican Helene made landfall Thursday night along Florida’s Big Bend coast. Helene brought tropical storm-force wind to the Augusta area (30-40 mph winds with 65 mph gusts).

A video on X showed what appeared to be Rae’s Creek flowing at a high level. The creek flows close to holes No. 11 and 12 at Augusta National.

https://twitter.com/Spahlorgahdee/status/1839681082339295237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1839681082339295237%7Ctwgr%5Ecfe7fb79189759dd4bdcd6fc52e6b3f09dc2bc8d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgolfweek.usatoday.com%2F2024%2F09%2F27%2Fhurricane-helene-hits-augusta-national-raes-creek-damage%2F

Another post from Eureka Earth, which has often been the first to detect course work at the club via drone footage, showed photos of trees down on the famed course.

https://twitter.com/EurekaEarthPlus/status/1839745688533352844

First responders in Columbia County reported numerous trees falling on houses, cars and roads Friday morning. Augusta first responders reported multiple water rescues and structure fires.

Hurricane Helene hits Augusta area, video shows Rae’s Creek overflowing

There is speculation that Augusta National Golf Club could have suffered significant damage.

More than 200,000 residents in Augusta, Georgia, have been without power after Hurricane Helene rolled through the area, leading to speculation that Augusta National Golf Club, the home of the Masters, could have suffered significant damage in the process.

The Category 4 storm made landfall Thursday night along Florida’s Big Bend coast. Helene brought tropical storm-force wind to the Augusta area (30-40 mph winds with 65 mph gusts).

A video on X showed what appeared to be Rae’s Creek flowing at a high level. The creek flows close to holes No. 11 and 12 at Augusta National.

https://twitter.com/Spahlorgahdee/status/1839681082339295237

The National Weather Service Friday morning reported there was potential for wind from 58 to 73 mph.

A flood watch is in effect, with an additional inch of rain expected, according to the NWS. A tornado watch is also in effect, with potential for several tornadoes.

First responders in Columbia County reported numerous trees falling on houses, cars and roads Friday morning. Augusta first responders reported multiple water rescues and structure fires.

https://twitter.com/BenParsons7/status/1839650722104651870