The Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's signature statues might be leaving Augusta, even if the Reynolds Street property that once housed the hall's botanical gardens ends up being owned by the city.
"I would very much like to see the statues stay local as they have been a part of our city for many years, but this is not our choice to make at this point," said Mayor Deke Copenhaver, who is working with state officials on efforts to secure the 17-acre site for the city.
Weighing 700 to 1,200 pounds apiece -- and costing an average of $100,000 -- the bronze statues of golf greats Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and Ray Floyd were the signature features of the now-defunct gardens.
The statues were moved to a maintenance building for storage in September 2007, three months after the organization ran out of money and closed the gardens. The Hall of Fame announced last month that it would petition the General Assembly, which created it in 1986, to formally dissolve the organization.
Bryan Persons, the hall's chairman, said a request involving the disposition of the statues will be included in the organization's pending request to the General Assembly, which is being prepared with input from the Georgia Attorney General's Office.
"After talking with a board member who is heading up the request to the Legislature, it appears that our request to them will include some direction on what we can and cannot do with the statues," Mr. Persons said. "Accordingly, we are not seeking an opinion from the attorney general directly, but it will be part of our proposal to dissolve the authority."
Sen. Ed Tarver, D-Augusta, has been involved in negotiations with Gov. Sonny Perdue about the city's request for the land that was purchased for the Hall of Fame and gardens. The senator said this week that he is still waiting to hear from Mr. Perdue's staff, which is trying to find out if the land could be legally transferred to the city at no cost.
Mr. Tarver said it was his understanding that the state has no claim to the statues because they were purchased with donated funds. If there is a question about the new foundation's ownership, he said, that would be between the foundation and the original donors.
Mr. Persons has said the Hall of Fame hopes to reconstitute itself as a private, nonprofit organization. Currently it is a state board whose property is owned by the State Properties Commission.
Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Those statues were paid for locally. They were on the Riverwalk for years before they were moved to the GGHOF. Remember the elaborate ceremonies with the golfers present when they were unveiled? Who said the GGHOF owns them? I have always thought they were on loan. Deke, don't give them to the state. They'll never figure it all out and probably wouldn't have said a word if we hadn't. They're ours.
why not put them in the "new" airport terminal? then all the Masters visitors could see them.
So, the statues are in a definite state of indecision and their disposition is also in a definite state of indecision? And this article lets us know that the statues are in storage and no decision has been made concerning them? WTF? Why write the article?
The creation of the statues were paid for with PRIVATE donations from various companies. They were placed on display by the Hall in public locations so that Augusta could share in the experience. That's why a couple of them were on the Riverwalk, and in front of the Marriott, etc. The citizens of Augusta have spoken on their feelings about the Golf and Gardens, and the GGHOF, which is the free market system. The statues should be seen and the sponsors that paid for their creation would see a return on their investment if they were circulated throughout the state at various museums, golf courses, Country Clubs and the such. The GGHOF is/was a state organization, and is/should be recognized throughout the state. Putting the statues on display across the state makes perfect sense for the GGHOF, in either it's current configuration, or it's future one.
The statues were always intended to stay in Augusta. The airport is a viable option. So is the museum.
Riverman1 and methree that would make common sense, something that the people that run this county and state do not have....
I think that the GGHOF, to put it in your words, "always intended to stay in Augusta" too, but Augusta has spoken loudly and clearly about how it feels about the organization. In my opinion, the statues are property of the Hall, but as you can see, even in this article, the Hall is doing the proper thing by asking that question of the state. Should it be determined that the Hall is the outright owner of the statues, then they should be able to determine their future. And who knows, they might decide to spread them out around the state, maybe keeping the Jones statue in Augusta...
Those statues were cast way before the GGHOF came into existence and no state money paid for them.
Honestly, someone have the Parks and Recreation Dept take them to the airport. Everyone keep it quiet and the problem is solved.
ok sir , last comment since I was unaware that YOU were unaware of your facts. The GGHOF COMMISSIONED those statues and they were paid for by PRIVATE donations. Various local, state, and worldwide companies PAID for the right to have their names placed on the plaques, that are on the statues. Those companies would benefit greatly by having them displayed in public. Unspoken in the agreement between the Hall and the sponsors was the fact that they would be seen by the hundreds if not the thousands of people that would come to the gardens. As we all know, that didn't happen. EVERYONE bears some responsibility in that. The GGHOF for how they managed their business, and Augustans for not supporting it. But now, back to the sponsors and what they should get. Putting the statues on display around the state would actually offer them MORE than what was promised and it would spread the efforts of the GGHOF across the state. The GGHOF is NOT the gardens, and the gardens are not the GGHOF. The GGHOF recognizes the achievements in golf made by individuals in the state of Georgia. It recognizes them by inducting them into the GGHOF. With or without flowers, that goes on.
People get a grip!! If all Agusta is known for is some statues, and the masters, what do that tell you about this city?
it tells me we have the best golf tournament in the world. no shame in that.
I agree with putting the statues at the Airport. Great idea.
Shame the hall of fame couldn't fly, but if they had just had a Tiger Woods statue it might have had a fighting chance. But to really have a winner they would have to commission a statue of Bizarro, yes sounds outlandish but just like a Field of Dreams build it and "they will come". hee,hee,hee. I just hope they wouldn' stick my statue in PendletonKing park because the thought of "they will come" takes on a whole different meaning.
augusta already has a nice james brown statue downtown, and james brown was from augusta. do we need any other statues?
rofl Biz.
thistown... I read your post and would remind you that you should change the word "we" to "they" to be accurate. Last I checked the masters is a private club and they really don't want any of the local ash and trash visiting "their" club. Then again you may be a member and your use of "we" would be appropriate. As to the statues, just melt them down and use the metal to strike medalions for sale in the flea market. That way everyone is happy.
disssman, you think only "members" attend the Master's?
If the Augusta National doesn't want them, then move them to South Augusta as part of the Urban renewal prroject!
The funny thing (almost laughable) about the whole GGHOF is thst there was NEVER a Hall of any kind. Possibly one reason the GGHOF fell on its butt.
I hope the state keeps the property, the last thing we need is a ballfield.
The statues are leaving Augusta...sounds like they are just following the migration out of town like so many others. Who's driving, Arnie, Ray, or Gary?
waste of money and not to mention just stupid!!!!!!!
Where are they being stored and who is footing the bill? If it's the city then the GGHOF should either donate them or pay the bill. While the golf and gardens was a beautiful place, people are a wee bit tired of paying to gain entrance to something their tax dollars were used to build in the first place. The museum is another example. While great for history and a beautiful place, it gets old paying taxes for something that you then have to pay admittance to see. Just MHO.
In the AIRPORT! The AIRPORT! It's a no brainer for crying out loud!
The National won't take them because it is sooooo...well, political with at least one statue and the whole matter. It takes a long time for things to become established in the National members' minds. Airport..unless the museum has a plan.
When the remains (pretty much nothing) of the Indian Chief Osceola were taken from The Isle of Palms at Charleston by court order and transported back to Florida, some civiic minded folks went to Florida and returned the remains to Charleston. Trust me, I know where the remains really are. If the statues leave Augusta, they better be guarded 24 hours a day or I may decide to bring them back after a few hours of beer drinking at the Finish Line.
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