Augusta National And Augusta CC Still Talking Deal?

Golfweek.com's Bradley Klein follows up on the publication's original report that Augusta National was discussing a purchase of neighboring Augusta Country Club's bordering property.

Klein says the number for five acres is around $25 million

That would account for ACC’s present par-4 ninth hole, a straightaway, slightly uphill 392-yarder. That hole sits left of ANGC’s 11th and 12th greens, with the boundary line marked by Rae’s Creek and a dense stand of pines.

Luckily for ACC, there’s plenty of room essentially to pick up the existing ninth hole and move it 50 yards to the south, as a 420-yard dogleg right. There would be no disruption of the routing, only a slightly longer walk back to the 10th tee.

As for ANGC, it would mean being able to lengthen the legendary par-5 13th hole by 50 yards, to 560. That would dramatically change the hole, in the process restoring it to the original design intent of being reachable in two after a powerful drive – but not driver/short iron, as it has become in the hands of the game’s bombers.

Klein goes on to point out that much of this would fit the club's desire to expand its perimeter.

I remain unconvinced that the purchase is driven by the desire to lengthen the hole as much as controlling nearby real estate. That's because in the post-Hootie Johnson era there hasn't been an example yet of the club reacting to a few long tee balls.