Richard Brendan Globensky, a former employee at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, pleaded guilty in federal court in Chicago to charges of stealing millions of dollars in memorabilia, including green jackets awarded to golf legends Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison but could receive a lesser sentence of 2 to 2 ½ years due to his cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Globensky admitted to stealing over $5 million worth of Masters merchandise between 2009 and 2022 and would sell the items in online auctions through a broker in Florida. The stolen goods also included green jackets awarded to the golfers and other memorabilia such as Masters programs, tickets, documents, and merchandise.
These green jackets remain the property of Augusta National, and Masters winners can only remove them from the grounds of the club for one year after their victory. After that, they must return it to the club and are only allowed to wear it on club grounds during future tournaments. Otherwise, the jackets are stored in the club’s Champions Locker Room. Globensky must pay $1.57 million to cover part of the restitution due to Augusta National and nearly $3.5 million in total restitution. He also has to forfeit the $5.3 million he made from the sale of the stolen memorabilia. His sentencing has been scheduled for October 29.
The stolen green jackets were awarded to golf legends such as Arnold Palmer, who won four Masters tournaments in 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964, Ben Hogan who won two Masters titles in 1951 and 1953, and Gene Sarazen who won the Masters in 1935. These golfers have a significant impact on the sport, with Hogan having the fourth most PGA Tour wins, Palmer ranking fifth, and Sarazen ranking twelfth in total wins. The theft of these green jackets and other memorabilia has caused a major loss for Augusta National and the golf community.
Globensky worked as a warehouse assistant at Augusta National Golf Club and would steal the goods from the club’s premises and transport them across state lines to a storage facility. He would then collaborate with a broker to sell the stolen items in online auctions. Apart from the green jackets, other stolen items included Masters programs from 1934 and 1935, an Augusta National clubhouse trophy, Masters tickets from 1934 through 1939, documents signed by Bobby Jones, and Masters shirts, hats, flags, watches, and other goods. His theft of these valuable and historic items has caused significant damage to the reputation and integrity of Augusta National and the Masters tournament.
Globensky’s guilty plea and cooperation with the investigation will play a crucial role in bringing justice and closure to the case. His willingness to cooperate with authorities and confess to his crimes demonstrates his acceptance of responsibility for his actions. The stolen green jackets and other memorabilia hold immense historical and sentimental value to the golfing community, and their theft and sale for personal gain have deeply affected the golf legends, Augusta National Golf Club, and the fans. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting the history and traditions of the sport of golf and ensuring the security of valuable artifacts and memorabilia.
