× In The RoughGolf TipsPrivacy PolicyTerms And Conditions
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Golf pro’s 92-year-old gran refuses to sell house to Augusta National despite Masters’ $200m expansion

A 92-YEAR-OLD grandmother is stilling refusing to sell her house for an inflated price worth millions to Augusta National.

Since 1999, owners of the historic golf tournament have expanded their reach by an extra 270 acres after splashing out $200million (£157m) on Augusta properties, according to the Wall Street Journal.



The Augusta National Golf Club where the Masters Tournament takes place each year has a particular way of getting what it wants — buying up most of the land and houses that once surrounded its borders., , But one Georgia family has put its foot down and said they’re not leaving — even if it means giving up millions of dollars to do so., , In the last decade, an entire neighborhood that once stood across from the golf club has now been turned into a free parking lot. The club spent more than $40 million to bulldoze it. Now, all that remains is the modest three-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 1112 Stanley Road in the city of Augusta that Herman and Elizabeth Thacker built in 1959., , In a 2016 interview with NJ.com, the two revealed that their 1,900-square-foot home is where they hoped to live out their final days.
Herman and Elizabeth Thacker turned down multiple offers for their home

The Augusta National Golf Club where the Masters Tournament takes place each year has a particular way of getting what it wants — buying up most of the land and houses that once surrounded its borders., , But one Georgia family has put its foot down and said they’re not leaving — even if it means giving up millions of dollars to do so., , In the last decade, an entire neighborhood that once stood across from the golf club has now been turned into a free parking lot. The club spent more than $40 million to bulldoze it. Now, all that remains is the modest three-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 1112 Stanley Road in the city of Augusta that Herman and Elizabeth Thacker built in 1959., , In a 2016 interview with NJ.com, the two revealed that their 1,900-square-foot home is where they hoped to live out their final days.
The couple built the three-bedroom house for themselves in 1959

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: A general view as Justin Rose of England reacts on the sixth green during the third round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Her house sits a stone’s throw away from where the world’s best golfers played last week

But Elizabeth Thacker and her late husband Herman, who died in 2019 aged 86, have repeatedly turned down seven-figure offers from Augusta National for their home.

The couple lived in the home at 1112 Stanley Road in Augusta, Ga. and raised their kids there.

And their grandson, professional PGA golfer Scott Brown, also spent most of his time there as a child, NJ.com reported.

Built in 1959 by Herman, the three-bedroom home sits just steps from Gate 6 of the iconic course.

But as the home of the Masters has expanded, it bought up the entire neighbourhood around the Thackers’ home, spending more than $40 million in the past decade to bulldoze them.

The couple’s daughter Robin said that Augusta has made multiple offers over the years above the home’s estimated value.

But while, most neighbours took the money and relocated, the Thackers didn’t flinch.

Still, the late Herman Thacker told NJ.com in 2017 that the couple was staying put because “money ain’t everything.”



The Augusta National Golf Club where the Masters Tournament takes place each year has a particular way of getting what it wants — buying up most of the land and houses that once surrounded its borders., , But one Georgia family has put its foot down and said they’re not leaving — even if it means giving up millions of dollars to do so., , In the last decade, an entire neighborhood that once stood across from the golf club has now been turned into a free parking lot. The club spent more than $40 million to bulldoze it. Now, all that remains is the modest three-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 1112 Stanley Road in the city of Augusta that Herman and Elizabeth Thacker built in 1959., , In a 2016 interview with NJ.com, the two revealed that their 1,900-square-foot home is where they hoped to live out their final days.
Their house is now the last one standing in the neighbourhood CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

The club hoped to use the land for more parking and hospitality areas.

But despite moving into a care home, Elizabeth has no plans to sell up and intends to keep the unassuming three-bedroom house in her family.

Pro golfer Brown opened up on his family’s persistent refusal to sell the house, just a couple of days before Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters.

Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: ‘Basically, they used to have 11 months of privacy because everything else got bought up. 

“They would just brush away the question of ‘Should we sell?’.

“But they could never find anywhere else they wanted to go. They fell in love with the place.”

However, the family did fetch a sizeable sum from a second smaller property nearby where Brown lived during his years at college — and were rewarded for their patience.

The Thackers ended up selling the nearby home for $1.2million (£935,000). 



RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 07: Scott Brown of the United States plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the Puerto Rico Open at Grand Reserve Golf Club on March 07, 2024 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The couple’s grandson and pro golfer Scott Brown used to live in a second nearby property which was sold by the family to Augusta National owners for $1.2million

Rory McIlroy holding a trophy with his wife and daughter.
Rory McIlroy ended his wait for Grand Slam glory after finally winning the Masters on Sunday

Brown added: “The best thing my grandparents ever did is hold out because some of the original offers were pretty laughable compared with what the final few houses went for.

“I think it started out at a few hundred thousand and some ended up going into the millions.

“He (Herman) took care of me with buying clubs and balls, took me to all the tournaments, and loved watching me play. 

“Every year they had tickets for the Masters and one of our traditions was going over there on Sunday, sitting on 16 and watching every group come through. We did that for 18 years until I turned pro.”

Brown, 41, once rose as high as 107 in the world rankings after winning the 2013 Puerto Rico Open ahead of runner-up Jordan Spieth.

He is now outside golf‘s top 2,000, but finished 13th at the PGA Championships in 2017. He’s never qualified to play at the Masters.