Trees are a hot topic in Augusta this week. That’s why

Evans, ga. – There are many trees about trees these days in Northeast Georgia. Specifically, the trees that line up the straight and raised roads on the greens in the region’s highly golf courses.

The most famous of these, of course, is Augusta National. The loblolly pines that line up the perimeter serve as a curtain that separates the outside world from the club. And the pines living inside the bases are the most famous of all. Heck, one of them was so visible in the game that a certain former president (unsuccessful) president lobbied to remove it.

Those pines have received a beat in recent years. First, during the 2023 masters, a storm system revolved during the game and overthrew some pines near the 17th Tee. Recently, the Hellenic hurricane struck the Augusta area and destroyed much more from the wonderful trees.

“Losing some trees is obviously visible,” said four times the great champion Rory mcilroy.

Augusta National is not the only course in the area that agrees with the loss of known leaves. Fifteen miles in Washington Road in Evans, GA., The withdrawal of champions is also dealing with the Hellenic consequences. And with the ladies on property this week for the first two rounds of the national amateur of Augusta, the theme of the trees is once again in the center stage.

“The trees that have disappeared are certainly much different,” said 2024 Anwa Bailey Shoemaker contestant. “It’s a bit of adjustment.”

After the Helen withdrew to the Augusta area in late September, the results were “catastrophic”, by Director of Golf Mike Rymer champions. According to his estimation, thousands of trees were destroyed and scattered after the consequences of the storm. When he managed to observe the damage shortly after Helen left the city, he estimated that the course would close for six months.

Fortunately, that appreciation did not prove to be correct, and the course recovered in time to host one of the most prestigious events in the amateur golf. But that does not mean that storm wounds are hidden. Walking the course this week, there are still root balls and trunks bent on their sides in the bushes surrounding the property.

The champions also lost its most famous tree in the storm. The natural oak, which once stood straight in the middle of the 4th Street, was created the “Broccoli Tree” and forced the players to play around him for a green look. However, thanks to the smells of Helena’s whip, Lisi no longer serves as an obstacle for the competitors in Anwa.

“Hole 4, that giant tree has no way out,” said 2022 Anwa Champ Anna Davis. “I can say I’m very happy about it. I know they are probably not very happy about it, but that hole is hard.”

The teenager Aesterisk Talley agrees: “They are like, the trees that make this course difficult,” she said. “The course is so open now, and it’s much more fun.”

Its other competitors are likely to agree. During the first round of this Anwa edition, the average note for the field was ready at the preceding level at 72.02. This sign is over 2.5 shocks easier than the historical average of the opening round in the withdrawal of samples, and over half of the shock easier than last year’s brand of 72.6.

“You can hit the driver out of those quieter holes,” said Megha Ganne, who fired a round of the 63th tour of the tournament on Wednesday. “I think the course is playing at least a lighter kick.”

While it is true that the champions are attracted to in the whole Played essentially easier than historical averages, the 4th hole – the former broccoli tree – actually played a lot in accordance with historical averages during round 1. There are still many teeth, trees or not.

In 2024, the last year of the broccoli tree era, the average mark in the hole was 4,264, good for the second highest in the course. In 2023, it was 4.2, making it fourth in the course. The previous three years, the average note was a little more swollen – but the hole was always one of the four hardest in the course, indicating that the configuration was more difficult for the whole course. On Wednesday, the average note was 4.23, ranking the second one on the course.

“This makes the hole easier,” said Lottie Woad champion defense. “Driving used to be really difficult. You had to hit it to the right, but now it’s so wide. So it’s definitely an easier hole.”

Perhaps, Lottie, even if it still proves very difficult on Wednesday. Time will tell. Trees, like course data, can stay for decades and fall instantly.

Now they will play.