Augusta National's Fred Ridley Uncertain About Masters Gnomes' Future
The Masters gnome saga has taken an unexpected turn as Fred Ridley, the chair of Augusta National, expressed his uncertainty regarding the future of these coveted items. In his annual media address, Ridley confirmed that he has repeatedly inquired whether 2026 might be the last year for gnomes to be sold, amidst growing speculation, but admitted that internal discussions remain opaque even to him. During a light-hearted exchange, Ridley addressed what was deemed a “trivial” question about the gnomes' fate, stating: “Number one, the question is not trivial.” “Number two: I’ve been asking that question for several years and they won’t tell me the answer.” The identity of the elusive “they” remains a mystery, raising eyebrows about the level of secrecy within the organization. Gnomes, which retail for $49.50 (£37), have a strong resale market and typically sell out within an hour, leading officials to express concerns about the spectator experience at merchandise outlets. On a more serious note, Ridley addressed the contentious topic of a potential rollback of golf balls, which has sparked resistance from manufacturers and prominent players. He emphasized that Augusta's stance is based on broader considerations: “Our position is grounded on much more than protecting the Augusta National golf course.” “We will continue to make modifications as necessary to react to driving distances that in some cases exceed 350 yards.” Ridley lamented that golf has become increasingly one-dimensional and stressed the importance of collaborating to find a resolution, asserting, “failure is not an option.”
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-08