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SPORTS Tuesday 17 OcTOber 2017

Ridley begins his reign as

Augusta National chairman

By DOUG FERGUSON the oak tree, Ridley says he ciples, again, I believe that
AP Golf Writer has met every chairman the philosophies that Jones
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Fred who preceded him and and (Alister) MacKenzie
Ridley recalls soaking up knew most of them well. established here are time-
the ambience of Augusta What he took from Payne less.”
National a week before his was the value of relation- Ridley is the second Au-
debut in the 1976 Masters ships and the willingness to gusta National chairman,
as the U.S. Amateur cham- share credit. along with Hord Hardin, to
pion. He was alone under “The worst thing I can do is have served as USGA presi-
the massive oak tree next try to be Billy Payne, other dent. He has not stayed ac-
to the clubhouse when he than his accomplishments tive with the USGA, where
turned around and realized and his drive to be the executives are known for
he had company. best,” he said. their blue blazers, saying
Clifford Roberts, co-found- Ridley was not specific on that “my jacket has been
er of the club and the first any changes or initiatives green for quite some time.” In this Wednesday, April 4, 2007, file photo, Augusta National
chairman of the Masters, he had in mind for the club, Ridley was USGA presi- Golf Club Chairman Billy Payne, center, arrives with Fred Ridley,
was standing behind him. saying only that he would dent in 2004 when the fi- left, and Craig Heatley, to brief reporters during practice for the
“I kind of jumped and lean on the principle estab- nal round of the U.S. Open 2007 Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in
thought, ‘Oh God, what lished by Roberts and Bob- was marred by the overly Augusta, Ga. Associated Press
have I done?’” Ridley said. by Jones. “That principle baked condition of the
“We had a nice conversa- here is constant improve- greens at Shinnecock Hills
tion. The interesting thing ment,” Ridley said. “That and a pin position at the Woods cleared
was, we were leaving and permeates the culture par-3 seventh that made
you’re going to be playing ters Tournament, whether hold the green without put- for golf activities
he says, ‘Now young man, here, whether it’s the Mas-
it impossible for anyone to
in the Par 3 next Wednes- it’s the member experi- ting water on it.
day. You make sure you ence, whether it’s growing He was not directly in with no restrictions
get some practice over the game or whatever we charge of the golf course,
there.’ He loved the Par 3. do.” Augusta National re- but “I was the president, so By DOUG FERGUSON
That was my recollection of cently acquired land from the buck stops there.” AP Golf Writer
the only conversation I had adjacent Augusta Country He was chairman of the Tiger Woods is swinging
with him.” Forty-one years Club that would allow it to competition committees at a driver and his agent
later, Ridley is the seventh expand the par-5 13th hole, the Masters for the last 10 says doctors have
chairman in the 85-year his- which now is 510 yards. years, making him respon- cleared him to practice
tory of Augusta National. “We are looking at wheth- sible for a rules controversy without limitations.
He took over Monday er we’re going to do any- involving Tiger Woods in Still to be determined is
when the club re-opened thing,” Ridley said. “We 2013. Woods hit a wedge when Woods can play
for a new season. just haven’t made any off the pin and into the a tournament.
Ridley, a 65-year-old busi- decisions.” He also was re- water on the par-5 15th. Mark Steinberg, his
ness lawyer from Tampa, served about how the club He dropped from an incor- agent at Excel Sports
Florida, succeeds Billy felt about the distance the rect spot, which was spot- Management, says
Payne, who is retiring after modern professional is hit- ted by a television viewer, Woods received a
11 years. Payne’s tenure ting the golf ball, referring David Eger, a former USGA good report from doc-
was marked by the club only to a good relationship and PGA Tour rules official. tors who performed fu-
inviting female members with golf’s two governing When word got to Ridley, sion surgery on his lower In this Feb. 2, 2017, file photo,
for the first time, and for bodies, the USGA and the he said he viewed the drop back in April. Tiger Woods reacts on the 10th
creating events geared Royal & Ancient. and did not see a violation. On Sunday, Woods hole during the first round of
toward American youth “We’re interested in that is- Only after more questions posted a video — in a the Dubai Desert Classic golf
(Drive, Chip and Putt) and sue,” he said. “It’s not my were raised did the rules red shirt, no less — of him tournament in Dubai, United
two amateur events in Asia place to talk about what’s committee realize Woods hitting a driver. “Making Arab Emirates.
Associated Press
and Latin America that of- good and not good for the should been penalized. progress,” he tweeted.
fer the winners a spot in the game. I might have opin- Woods was given a two- Woods has not played
Masters. ions, but I’m not the per- shot penalty but spared since withdrawing from Steinberg says even though
Payne, who chose Ridley son to talk about it. What disqualification for signing the Dubai Desert Clas- Woods has full clearance,
as his successor, becomes I can talk about is what’s an incorrect card because sic on Feb. 3 because he plans to take it cau-
chairman emeritus. good for Augusta National Ridley said officials made a of back spasms. He had tiously. He says they have
Starting with that chance and our golf course. Going mistake by not speaking to his fourth back surgery not even discussed playing
meeting with Roberts under back to the guiding prin- Woods.q two months later. tournaments.q