Ex-Augusta National Golf Club Employee Admits to Stealing Millions Worth of Masters Merchandise and Memorabilia
A previous worker at the Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC) in Georgia has confessed to pilfering millions of dollars’ worth of Masters Tournament merchandise and memorabilia during his tenure as a warehouse assistant from 2009 to 2022. This was revealed in court documents from the US District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.
Historical Memorabilia and Valuable Merchandise Stolen
According to the plea agreement, Richard Globensky, 39, purloined items of significant historical importance such as the green jackets that Masters champions Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen, and Ben Hogan had won. The green jacket is presented to the winner of the tournament each year and must be surrendered to the clubhouse once their reign as champion concludes.
Additionally, Globensky pilfered documents and letters penned by tournament co-founder Bobby Jones, historical Masters records, an Augusta National clubhouse trophy, tickets and programs, and even unissued stocks dating back to 1932, the year the club was founded. Merchandise including t-shirts, jackets, hats, flags, and watches were also stolen, as per the court documents.
Merchandise Sold for Over $5 Million, Memorabilia for Nearly $300,000
Globensky sold the merchandise for approximately $5.3 million to an contact broker in Florida while the memorabilia were offloaded for nearly $300,000 to the same broker and an associate. These items were then resold at substantial markups from what the broker had initially paid.
Charged with Interstate Transportation and Transfer of Stolen Goods
Globensky was charged with transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce and was held accountable for almost $3.5 million in actual loss to the club, according to the documents.
Concealing Involvement and Money Laundering
The plea agreement states that Globensky took measures to cover up his involvement in the theft and sale of merchandise. He made sure the quantity he swiped did not surpass the club’s auditing risk thresholds and instructed the broker to issue most payments in the name of his wife instead of directly to him. Later, court documents reveal that Globensky established an LLC to receive payment for the stolen items.
Providing $1.5 Million as Part of Plea Agreement
As per his plea agreement, Globensky must provide the government with a $1.5 million check within seven days of the guilty plea, which took place on Wednesday. The agreement also necessitates forfeiting the $5.3 million he made through the sale of the stolen merchandise.
Sentencing and Cooperation
The conviction carries a punishment of up to ten years in federal prison. Prosecutors, as per the plea deal, will ask for Globensky to serve between 24 and 30 months in prison unless there are significant changes in his cooperation. The former golf club employee is scheduled for sentencing on October 29, 2023.
News Finder’s Request for Comment from Augusta National
Augusta National has yet to respond to a request for comment from News Finder.
The Prestigious Masters Tournament
Held annually in April, The Masters is one of golf’s most prestigious events, ranking among its four major tournaments alongside the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the Open Championship. Unique to the Masters, it is played at the same course every year, with Augusta National hosting the event since its founding in 1932.
Reigning Champion: American Scottie Scheffler
American Scottie Scheffler is the current champion, having won the tournament in April this year with a dominant four-shot victory, reclaiming the title he previously secured in 2022.
