Never could understand why Sam Snead was left out.
A storage shed is no place for golf's greatest legends, especially during Masters Week, says Augusta Commissioner Jerry Brigham.
In fact, he said, it might be nice if the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's collection of bronze statues could somehow be displayed this year.
"A lot of these statues were basically donated by Augustans," he said of the collection, which was moved to storage in September 2007 after the organization ran out of money.
Mr. Brigham will present a resolution to fellow commissioners today asking that the Hall of Fame consider exhibiting the statues this spring.
"I think it will pass and I would hope we'd forward that request to whoever we needed to get it to," he said. "It might not be possible to display the statues, but if we can't, maybe it's at least a first step toward keeping them in Augusta."
The Hall of Fame announced last month that it would petition the General Assembly, which created it in 1986, to formally dissolve the organization.
Augusta is negotiating for the hall of fame's land on Reynolds Street, but the statues remain in limbo.
Mr. Brigham mentioned Augusta Regional and Daniel Field airports and local museums as places where the six statues -- of golf greats Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and Ray Floyd -- could be enjoyed by fans.
Today's commission meeting is at noon.
Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
What's Next?
Golf Hall of Fame Marketing Director Robyn Jarrett said in an e-mail that she would forward a request to display the statues to the group's chairman, Bryan Persons, of Macon.
Comments
Never could understand why Sam Snead was left out.
Seems like the suggestions mentioned here were noticed............
iletuknow, I think it wasn't so much that he was left out, I think they just ran out of time and money. In other words, I think they probably were going to get to him, and maybe a couple of other greats, at a later date. Things started drying up after they immortalized these guys. For what it's worth, I think Sam Snead should have been "done" before Ray Floyd...and I even think Mr. Floyd would agree with that.
This sure is an important issue.
Absolutely, Patricia.
I see the GHOF is obviously still paying a marketing director. I wonder why? I am also sure that just like CADI this will not cost us taxpayers a dime.
Would the Augusta National be interested in these????
Place the statues at points of interest throughout the CSRA. The Nicklaus statue could be placed outside the main gate at the Augusta National. What better motivation for the players and patrons alike? Printed maps showing locations of the other statues could be placed at each site. One at Augusta Regional, one near JB on Broad Street, one in North Augusta along the river front, one in the mall/Surrey Center... Change locations each Masters. Commission new statues. Tiger Woods anybody?
ubatch041, I was thinking the same thing, why wouldn't the Augusta National get these statues and display them there at the course, especially during Master's Week.
Why now Brigham, is it because of the Masters coming up? maybe the city needs to leave them down, that way the incoming visitors who may have put on their agenda to visit the Golf Hall of Fame get down there and wonder WHERE ARE THEY, WHAT HAPPEN?. This just may erk a visitor or two to find out the "plight" of the defunct Golf Hall of Fame and maybe donate some money or start some type of charity to bring it back.
The gardens are closed. You all better understand how much the Msters brings to Augusta. I would suggest that they place them on the commons or on the grounds of the Augusta Museum of History
place them along washington road and see what kind or write ups we get from the national media!!!!..... but, i think graci has it right... they should be distributed throughout the CSRA and used as a way to spread the crowds around the city....
Would be nice to put them on river walk but they would probably get vandalized. I know that is where they used to be.
These statues need to be displayed in a secure environment. if you place them througout the CSRA, some idiot with a wrecker will hook up to one and off to the junk dealers.I agree that placing them at Bush or Daniel fFeld, where there is protection would be the right place.
Everybody here sure knows what's best for somebody else's property. How about letting the owner have a say?
Find a big enought area and put Jerry Brigham on display.
I say they should be displayed along the riverwalk where they were. Keep 'em together. People don't want to drive all over the city to find them. Riverwalk is a pretty big tourist attraction, so they'd be well seen there.
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