Augusta National has been active in acquiring neighbouring real estate to expand the club’s footprint. In the past few years alone the club has purchased an 11-hectare strip mall, a Pep Boys and music store, and a part of Augusta Country Club for its various endeavours.
Add Wendy’s to the list.
According to the Augusta Chronicle, Augusta National – through one of its limited liability companies – has spent more than $US6 million in recent weeks on real estate assets, including the fast-food chain Wendy’s on Washington Rd along with multiple homes located in Augusta’s West Terrace neighbourhood.
The eight properties total two-and-a-half hectares, with the Wendy’s giving the club almost complete autonomy over the south side of Washington Rd between the club’s western parameters and the Berckmans Rd–Alexander Drive intersection. According to the Chronicle, the only non-Augusta National Washington Rd south side properties are an Olive Garden restaurant and Walgreens pharmacy.
During the past two decades the club’s property acquisitions have facilitated such additions as free parking for the Masters and the global broadcast village, a state-of-the-art television and digital compound. The club is also expected to lengthen the iconic par-5 13th in the near future, with satellite imaging showing traces of a new tee.
This year’s Masters begins on April 9.
