In One of Augusta National’s Ugliest Incidents, Former POTUS Ronald Reagan Suffered an Unexpected Situation While Playing Golf 40 Years Ago

There are highly controversial as well as breathtaking events associated with the world of golf. These events mostly involve players, franchises and the league itself too. However, there are events involving people having no links whatsoever with the game of golf. One such name which relates to a mind-bending event is Charlie Harris at the Augusta National Golf Course.

A lot of disputes have happened in the history of the Augusta National Golf Course. Most of them involved players involving the likes of Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and so on. However, that one event involving Charlie Harris certainly shocked the whole world.

Charlie Harris and his wild case involving Ronald Reagan

Harris had never been afraid of getting himself into trouble. The only connection between Harris and the Augusta National was his hometown. According to Golf Digest, the year was 1983 and Harris was going through the worst phase of life. That summer Harris had already been fired from a local paper. Harris’ father had also just passed away in addition to him being distant from his wife and three children. All these unfavorable situations had a huge impact on his life as Harris had already dwelled into drinking. One October morning, the then American President, Ronald Reagan, had come to visit the Augusta National Golf Club and engage in a game of golf.

That morning Harris discovered this news from his friend while driving down the Washington Road. The situation for him got tense when he got home that day and learned that U.S. Steels had decided to lay off thousands of American workers. This situation surely snapped something in him. Harris decided to take matters into his own hands, and go have a talk with the President.

Read more: Meet the First U.S. President Who Publicly Embraced Golf

While his situation was understandable, his actions were criminal. He had two weapons to accomplish his goal. Those included a blue Dodge pickup truck that he rammed into Gate 3 at Augusta National to enter the place, and a .38 revolver that he used to kidnap seven people to try and talk with the President of the United States, who was at the time, playing the 16th hole.

How did it go for Charlie Harris?

After breaking in and taking seven hostages, Harris knew he was stuck inside the Augusta National now, without any way out. Nearly two hours later, Harris surrendered to the police. He did so only because he knew that his only other option was death. Harris got a little lucky as he was not charged with any federal crime. However, he did spend five years in Georgia state prison. Even after his release, Harris was monitored by the Secret Service for four years.

This is for sure one of the scariest and shocking events in the history of the golf. And there might still be a possibility of a lot of secrets which might not have been revealed regarding that day.

Watch this story: John Daly opens up on golfing experience with a former POTUS