Augusta National Golf Club is reportedly poised to purchase land that will allow it to lengthen the par-5 13th at the home of the Masters.
Golfweek reports a $27 million deal is nearly in place between Augusta National and neighboring Augusta Country Club for a parcel of land which is currently Augusta Golf Club's ninth hole. With the purchase, Augusta National can push back the tee on the first second-nine par 5 to nearly 560 yards.
Typically, the dogleg left hole requires better players to hit a hard draw around trees on the left, while avoiding Rae's Creek, which, if executed properly, sets up a mid-iron -- or less in the case of Bubba Watson -- to the green.
Augusta Country Club borders Augusta National's second nine.
In addition to the price tag, Augusta National has offered to hire an architect to help the club replace the ninth hole on their remaining property. Augusta National would intend to implant tall trees which would block cross-property views and prevent errant balls from Augusta Country Club landing on Augusta National property. During one Masters, an errant ball from Augusta Country Club ended up on Augusta National’s 12th green while Tiger Woods was on the putting surface.
The purchase would be the first made by Augusta National from its neighbor since 2001. The club used that land to expand Augusta National in 2002 under the guidance of designer Tom Fazio.
