Corporal Gripweed: The Augusta National Continues to Give Back to the Community

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Augusta, GA

By Corporal Gripweed

“The entire world shall be populous with that action which saves one soul from despair”

                                                               Omar Khayyam

It's that time of year again here in Augusta. No, not pollen season, nor the beginning of minor league baseball, Although, those things are either happening or are about to begin. I'm speaking about the venerable Masters Tournament. Always ending on the second Sunday in April, for the last 70 plus years except for interruptions during World War II. 

Many here at City Stink and on the Augusta Today FB page have been critical (and rightfully so) of certain members of the Augusta National Golf Club. There has also been criticism of members of Augusta's so called “pimento cheese plutocracy”, loosely defined as folks who are in positions of power in (and out of) city government who champion causes which help the few rather than the many.

The Famous Masters Pimento Cheese Sandwich

However, this will not be one of those times.....

In baseball parlance, I'm a firm believer in “calling 'em as I see's 'em”. And this time credit should be given where it's due. We can say what we want about certain members of the “Club” and the “plutocracy” but the fact is the Masters Tournament Foundation has given...yes GIVEN , nearly 20 million dollars over the last few years to various local charities. And they've done it voluntarily.

These donations have been administered through the Community Foundation for the CSRA, which has given money to Easter Seals of East Georgia, and the newly built Kroc Center among others. To quote Billy Payne, Chairman of the Augusta National, “Supporting the community that, in turn supports the Masters Tournament is an enduring commitment we take seriously”.

The cynical among us would say, they should give and give more. But as a conservative I would say, it's THEIR money. They can do what they want with it.  More importantly, I'm happy with the fact that it's administered through a private sector foundation and not through yet another inefficient government panel or bureaucracy. All this without taking into account the many millions of dollars pumped into the local economy by hosting one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world.

We here at City Stink and Augusta Today, expend enormous amounts of energy exposing the dark underbelly of the Augusta political scene.

Enjoy The "Tunamint"!

 And we always will....but if you can't find it in your DNA to support the “tunamint” or the club this week, no harm no foul...at least follow Omar's advice and find an opportunity to help someone, somewhere. As the Masters Foundation does to the tune of millions every year.***

CG

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