Former Augusta National Employee Charged with Stealing Millions in Masters Merchandise

Richard Brendan Globensky, a former warehouse coordinator at Augusta National Golf Club, has been charged in federal court with transporting and transferring millions of dollars' worth of stolen Masters Tournament merchandise and memorabilia over a period of more than a dozen years, from 2009 to 2022.

The Justice Department alleges that Globensky transported the stolen items from Augusta, Georgia to Tampa, Florida, knowing they were stolen.

The case was filed in the Northern District of Illinois, though it remains unclear why it was filed outside of Augusta or Tampa. Globensky's arraignment and change of plea hearing is set for May 15 in federal court in Illinois. If convicted, he would be required to forfeit all property and proceeds attributable to the alleged offense.

The Masters Tournament, one of golf's most prestigious events, is known for its highly sought-after and restricted merchandise. The golf shop on the club property is the only way to purchase official, branded items, and the tournament is estimated to have made nearly $70 million in merchandise sales during the week of the 2022 event.

Why this matters: The theft scandal involving merchandise from the Masters Tournament has the potential to impact the event's reputation and security measures. As one of golf's most prestigious and exclusive tournaments, the alleged theft of millions of dollars worth of merchandise over more than a decade raises questions about the effectiveness of the club's internal controls and oversight.

The accusation comes shortly after Scottie Scheffler's second Masters Tournament victory, during which the Masters merchandise shop was an important part of the event's tradition. Augusta National has regularly taken legal action to prevent the sale of green jackets and other memorabilia, as the green jackets won by tournament champions must be returned to the club and can only be worn at the tournament.

Key Takeaways

• Former Augusta National employee charged with stealing and selling Masters merchandise
• Alleged theft occurred over 13 years, from 2009 to 2022, worth millions of dollars
• Merchandise was transported from Augusta, Georgia to Tampa, Florida
• Case filed in Northern District of Illinois, arraignment set for May 15
• Theft raises questions about Augusta National's internal controls and security measures