Just two days after this year’s Masters Tournament, it became known that millions of dollars worth of trophies and memorabilia had been stolen from Augusta National Golf Club. Now 39-year-old Richard Brendan Globensky has pleaded guilty in a Chicago court to stealing and selling the green jackets, tickets from the 1930s and many other valuable memorabilia, as reported by CBS. A total of around five million dollars is believed to have flowed into the pockets of the former Augusta National employee.
Former employee steals millions worth of Masters memorabilia
Among the stolen memorabilia were not only souvenirs of past Masters visits, but also the legendary green jackets of Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen. Palmer won the Masters four times, in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964, while Ben Hogan received his jackets in 1951 and 1953. Sarazan won in 1935, before the tradition of the special jackets was established, but received his model later in 1949.
Globensky has now pleaded guilty to stealing merchandise and memorabilia from 2009 to 2022 and transporting it away by truck. From a warehouse, the individual items were then sent to a fence in Florida, where they were sold in online auctions.
CBS reports that other memorabilia and fan items stolen by Globensky include Masters programmes from 1934 and 1935, an Augusta National clubhouse trophy, Masters tickets from 1934 to 1939, documents and letters signed by Augusta National founder Bobby Jones, as well as Masters flags, watches and other fan items.
By pleading guilty, Globensky faces only two to two and a half years in prison instead of up to ten years, and his sentencing was set for 29 October.
He must also submit a cheque for 1.57 million dollars within seven days to cover part of the compensation to Augusta National. In total, he owes the Masters venue around 3.5 million dollars and must forfeit the 5.3 million dollars in profits he made from the sale of the stolen items.