Augusta National has deal to buy neighboring land

Charlotte - Augusta National Golf Club has agreed to purchase a parcel of land from the adjacent Augusta Country Club, according to a Golf Channel website report on Monday.

A letter from Augusta Country Club officials to members said that the deal was struck after months of "collaborative and cooperative dialogue" with the home course of the Masters.

The memo, dated last Friday, said the property is on the northwest boundary of Augusta Country Club, next to Augusta National's par-5 13th hole, the final hole of the famed "Amen Corner" stretch of the course that annually hosts the year's first major tournament.

There had been talk for years that Augusta National might look to lengthen the hole.

"It's fair to say, as is always the case, we are always looking at certain holes, certain other improvements to the golf course, and we talked about some of those, and I think they are all pretty obvious," Augusta National chairperson Billy Payne said in April.

Augusta Country Club president Jay Forrester said in the letter that as part of the sale to Augusta National, "a portion of the eighth hole and a new ninth hole will be constructed at no cost to Augusta Country Club."

Exactly how much property was sold to Augusta National and at what price was not disclosed in the letter, but Forrester was not unhappy with the terms in his writing.

"Be assured this transaction will improve our golf course and will put Augusta Country Club in an even greater financial position for many years to come," he said.