The aftermath of Hurricane Helene ripped through many parts of the south, specifically the most hard-hit areas of western North Carolina where many residents still remain displaced.
Helene also tore through parts of Georgia, including the city of Augusta, which hosts the annual Masters golf tournament at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club.
Many speculated and wondered if Helene damaged Augusta National enough to prevent it from hosting The Masters next spring.
Augusta National is long known for its privacy and inability to see from the “outside.” But newly released drone footage now reveals the extent of the damage to famed golf venue.
Here’s what the iconic Magnolia Lane, the famed entrance to the course, looked like post-Helene.
🚨🚁⛳️#NEW: Drone footage shows the devastation to Augusta National’s Magnolia Lane (video via MrHushpuppy / YouTube) pic.twitter.com/uhKifmThZ4
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) September 28, 2024
Additional footage now shows a number of trees around the Par 3 16th hole that have fallen. “Hole 16 is wrecked,” @ed_bodenhamer on X reported. “The other photos show damage that’s represented pretty much across the entire course.”
Augusta National 9/28/24, the day after Helene. Hole 16 is wrecked. The other photos show damage that's represented pretty much across the entire course pic.twitter.com/iZ8TnhoU5W
— Ed Bodenhamer (@ed_bodenhamer) October 11, 2024
Eureka Earth, who has captured and shared many drone videos of Augusta National over the years, was able to fly around Augusta Country Club, which is located right next to Augusta National. You can see part of Augusta Country Club from Amen Corner at Augusta National.
We recently had drone (😬) footage of ACC, ‘the club next door,’ shared with us.
We’ll let you draw your own conclusions… pic.twitter.com/EwjcFZyLcA
— Eureka Earth® (@EurekaEarthPlus) October 17, 2024
Earlier this month, Augusta National announced that it has donated $5 million toward relief through the greater Augusta community. The club also made separate contributions to support the response and recovery efforts led by the American Red Cross and other local community partners.
“I was in Augusta in the days immediately after the storm and have seen firsthand its devastating impact,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament.
“Our employees, neighbors, friends and business owners need, and deserve, immediate and meaningful assistance to overcome the hardships being experienced at this moment throughout Augusta,” a statement from Ridley read.