A rule break at the Augusta National can land a patron in jail for as long as 20 years. ANGC does not joke around when it comes to people following its traditional and age-old regulations. Whether one is a player or a patron, rules are in place for everyone, so much so that even pros have earned stroke penalties, as well as have been booted out of the course. 

Every year, patrons come in limelight for either misconduct or for engaging in selling or buying the Masters tickets, which, per the Augusta National, is not allowed. Additionally, it is also stated that selling tickets within 2,780 feet of the course is illegal. Some people have continued to engage in misconduct and have faced charges for breaking one or more rules. Here are the top three time that happened.

1. Four members of Texas were charged with identity theft and more

For Masters, one person per family gets the ticket in a lottery method. Stephen Michael Freeman from Texas, his parents, and his sister were involved in the federal crime of reselling the Masters’ ticket. Freeman was charged with wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy. His sister and parents were charged with only conspiracy, Golf.com reported.

Golf – The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, Georgia, U.S. – April 10, 2021 Patrons leave the course after a weather warning horn is sounded and play is suspended due to bad weather during the third round REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

The family used bulk emails to register on the Masters website. They also procured fake utility bills, credit card bills, and licenses to fool the system into sending the selected lottery ticket to their house. The incident happened at the 2019 Masters and it still remains unclear as to how many tickets they sold.

2. A woman was arrested for shoplifting

In 2017, a woman named Rebekah Sarah Moore, 30, was appointed as the security guard at the Augusta National. She was the security officer at the pro shop, and after her shift concluded, the woman from Waynesboro picked up many items from the shop. However, she paid the bill for only two. When questioned about the scene by the authority, Moore admitted to shoplifting. The items she stole were a Masters belt, cup, flag, navy tote, and rain jacket, that would have billed for $272.

3. Marijuana possession gets the man arrested

In the same year, another man left the Augusta National with handcuffs because of marijuana possession. Ken Petronis, aged 59, from California, was smoking marijuana at the course, and people complained of the smell, said Richmond County Sheriff’s Capt. Scott Gay. An agent from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation made the arrest after witnessing the incident.

Ridiculous case of sand theft and losing a patron badge

A patron in 2012 wanted a unique souvenir to take home from the Masters. So, he chose the most accessible thing, the sand from Augusta National. This move cost the 40-year-old Clayton Baker many things at once. Baker lost his Masters badge, had to pay for the private jet he had booked to take home, spent a few days in jail, and paid $285 more to be released.

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In the end, Judge Willia Jennings III of Georgia dismissed the acquitted misconduct charges. Even though Baker was set free, country solicitor Harry James touted that everything James had gone through was “more than enough punishment in this matter.”   

So, if you are one of the few lucky ones to be at Augusta National, don’t miss your unique experience and stay away from taking sand as a  souvenir, being excessively drunk, and do not even think about reselling tickets!

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