Augusta (United States) (AFP) – Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley says the home of the Masters won’t create fictional scripted dramas anytime soon but would look “outside the box” to grow the sport. He wants distance limitation for elite-level golf balls, stating, “It’s time to address this issue” to “protect the integrity of what makes golf so great.”
Speaking Wednesday on the eve of the 90th Masters, Ridley noted a 2022 viral collaboration with YouTube’s Dude Perfect but admitted the all-sports video left something to be desired. The video, made weeks before the Masters, featured Dude Perfect using hockey sticks, baseball bats, tennis racquets, pool cues, and frisbees through Amen Corner — the famed 11th, 12th, and 13th holes at Augusta National.
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“A few years ago, we had Dude Perfect playing frisbee at Amen Corner. In retrospect, I like those guys, but that may not have been the best idea,” Ridley said. “But it does point out that we try things every once in a while that are a little bit non-traditional, so we’ll continue to look at things. We’re certainly willing to look outside the box every once in a while.”
Ridley indicated Augusta National hadn’t pondered fictional shows set around the famed grounds in the way the NFL has embraced certain projects. “It’s not something I think we’ve considered,” he said. “There’s no shortage of examples of things that we’re looking at. I think the last few years have pointed out we’ll try different things.”
He noted the tension between respecting tradition and innovation, stating, “I do think we need to be looking at non-traditional ways of promoting the tournament, but more so promoting golf.”
– ‘Prodigious distances’ –
It’s the same fine line involved in limiting golf ball technology, something Ridley and governing bodies support to reduce distance at the elite level. “Our position is grounded on much more than protecting the Augusta National golf course,” Ridley said. “We will continue to make modifications as are necessary to react to driving distances that in some cases exceed 350 yards.”
The game has become much more one-dimensional. As players drive the ball prodigious distances and routinely hit short irons into par-fours and even some par-fives, this issue goes beyond competitive impacts. Ridley said shot shaping, risk-taking, and executing under pressure is at the heart of elite greatness, not just distance. “Regulation of the golf ball is not an attempt to turn back time or stifle progress,” he said. “It’s an effort to preserve the essence of what makes golf the great game that it is.”
Ridley addressed comments by PGA Tour chief executive officer Brian Rolapp that, while majors like the Masters benefit from the tour, the tour has no ownership stake in the majors. “There are a number of golf organizations, including ours, that make the journey to the PGA Tour possible,” Ridley said. “We really need to look at the entire ecosystem to get a full perspective of that issue.”
– No idea on gnomes –
Ridley said that after adding six national open champions to Masters qualifiers, the club would consider others. “I do think there might be other national opens that should be considered,” he said. Asked about reports this might be the last year for the popular collectible “Masters gnome” at the club gift shop, Ridley said even he doesn’t have the answer. “I’ve been asking that question for several years, and they won’t tell me the answer, so I can’t help you,” Ridley said.
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