It seems the only constant at Augusta National Golf Club between Masters Tournaments is change. According to the hometown Augusta Chronicle, the city’s largest attraction is undergoing a facelift once again and they didn’t waste any time getting it started.
The host of The Augusta Golf Show, John Patrick, tweeted less than a week removed from Patrick Reed sinking the winning putt that renovations were underway.
Here we go. Dirt is being moved, there are some small trees on the grounds, looks like the work on #5 tee at ANGC has begun. #NotWastingTime
— John Patrick (@augustagolfshow) April 14, 2018
John Boyette of The Chronicle had more details about what was going on inside the gates of one of the world’s most exclusive clubs. The main changes coming to the course are expected to affect the 455-yard par-4 5th hole. The preliminary site plans were filed, aptly, as “#5 Renovations” called for the Masters tee box to be moved across Old Berckmans Road to alleviate congestion between the fourth green and current fifth tee.
Augusta National Acquires Additional Land
Aside from the adjustments to the course, the new tee will require the same manicured look as the rest of the property and August National is sparing no expense when it comes to the landscaping. The club is bringing in and planting more than 600 new trees, shrubs and bushes along with a new sewer pipe being installed.
Looks like changes are coming (prob in 2019) to No. 5 at Augusta National. Probably the least-viewed hole on the course, but the green is severe and if lengthened to the extent that approach shots are with long irons, it will become a beast again. https://t.co/FKhbrTbAjq
— Skip Foster (@skipfoster) February 28, 2018
The club closes the course for the heat of the summer, from late May until October, with the renovations expected to be complete by Nov. 1. To keep a barrier between the course and the parking area nearby 19 mega hardwoods, eight mega pines, 13 hardwoods and 77 pine trees and almost 200 bushes will be planted, along with 83 holly plants and 77 tea olive plants.
Augusta National Gets Burnt Out in the Summer
The fifth hole played as the sixth-hardest on the course during the 2018 Masters, playing to a 4.16 scoring average.