The clubhouse of the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., in 2005, file photo. Richard Globensky has been charged in federal court in Illinois in the transport of millions of dollars worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and memorabilia stolen from Augusta National Golf Club. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
The Masters is known as “a tradition unlike any other.” For 13 years, a man allegedly made a tradition out of stealing the famed golf tournament’s merchandise.
Richard Brendan Globensky is charged with transporting and transferring in interstate commerce goods, wares, and merchandise of the value of $5,000 or more. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Illinois, Globensky stole “millions of dollars’ worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and historical memorabilia.” The alleged thefts happened between 2009 and 2022.
Prosecutors say Globensky took the items from the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, and transported them to Tampa, Florida, knowing they had been “stolen, converted, and taken by fraud.”
The indictment, filed Tuesday, does not have a list of the merchandise that was reportedly stolen. It’s not clear why the case was filed in Illinois. Court records show an “in-person arraignment and change of plea hearing” is set for May 15. The Chicago Tribune reports that Globensky is a former employee at the club. His Atlanta-based lawyer, Thomas Church, did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Augusta National has not made a comment on the matter.
People can only buy the prized merchandise on site although items can be purchased on the secondary market. Merchandise from the club ranges from golf towels, shirts, hats, and even lawn gnomes, which according to The Associated Press have be come all the rage the last few years.
August National has occasionally filed lawsuits against those trying to sell the green jacket, which is awarded to the winner of the tournament. The winner can take the jacket off site the year after winning but otherwise must remain at the Augusta National, and is considered club property.
Last weekend, Scottie Scheffler won his second Masters title in three years. The tournament has been played for 88 years, and is one of professional golf’s four major tournaments.
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