The Masters gnome drama has taken another twist after the chair of Augusta National admitted he is in the dark as to the must-have itemsâ future. Fred Ridley has repeatedly asked whether 2026 will be the final year Âfor gnomes being on sale â as has been widely speculated â but revealed there is internal secrecy even towards him.
Ridleyâs annual Masters media address took an amusing turn when a questioner put what was Âsuggested as a âtrivialâ poser towards him: are reports of the gnomesâ demise Âcorrect? âNumber one, the question is not trivial,â he said. âNumber two: Iâve been asking that question for Âseveral years and they wonât tell me the answer. So I canât help you.â
Who âtheyâ are is unclear, but it is intriguing that someone of ÂRidleyâs standing in Augusta is being cut out of the conversation. The stampede for ÂMasters gnomes, which typically sell out within one morning hour, is Âunderstood to have left officials with concerns about the spectator Âexperience in merchandise outlets. The gnomes cost $49.50 (ÂŁ37), but have huge resale value.
On matters more serious, Ridley has maintained Augustaâs position on a potential rollback of the ball. The issue has met with Âresistance from equipment manufacturers and Âseveral leading players. âI want to be clear that our position is grounded on much more than protecting the Augusta National golf course,â ÂRidley said.
âWe will Âcontinue to make Âmodifications as are necessary to react to driving Âdistances that in some cases exceed 350 yards.
âUnfortunately, many courses, including some iconic venues, do not have that option. Until recent years golf has been a game of Âimagination, creativity and variety. The game has become much more one-dimensional.
âMy feeling on this subject is that failure is not an option. We need to continue to work together to come to some agreement.â
Ridleyâs annual Masters media address took an amusing turn when a questioner put what was Âsuggested as a âtrivialâ poser towards him: are reports of the gnomesâ demise Âcorrect? âNumber one, the question is not trivial,â he said. âNumber two: Iâve been asking that question for Âseveral years and they wonât tell me the answer. So I canât help you.â
Who âtheyâ are is unclear, but it is intriguing that someone of ÂRidleyâs standing in Augusta is being cut out of the conversation. The stampede for ÂMasters gnomes, which typically sell out within one morning hour, is Âunderstood to have left officials with concerns about the spectator Âexperience in merchandise outlets. The gnomes cost $49.50 (ÂŁ37), but have huge resale value.
On matters more serious, Ridley has maintained Augustaâs position on a potential rollback of the ball. The issue has met with Âresistance from equipment manufacturers and Âseveral leading players. âI want to be clear that our position is grounded on much more than protecting the Augusta National golf course,â ÂRidley said.
âWe will Âcontinue to make Âmodifications as are necessary to react to driving Âdistances that in some cases exceed 350 yards.
âUnfortunately, many courses, including some iconic venues, do not have that option. Until recent years golf has been a game of Âimagination, creativity and variety. The game has become much more one-dimensional.
âMy feeling on this subject is that failure is not an option. We need to continue to work together to come to some agreement.â
