Date
8-6-2025
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)
Chair
Carey Roberts
Keywords
Masters, Augusta National, Augusta National Golf Club, Economy, Augusta, Georgia, Augusta Georgia, City of Augusta, Golf, Bobby Jones, Clifford Roberts, Tiger Woods
Disciplines
Economics | History
Recommended Citation
Chomskis, William Lee, "At the Putting Green: The Economic Impact of the Augusta National" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7283.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7283
Abstract
This dissertation investigates the multifaceted economic impact of the Augusta National Golf Club on the city of Augusta, Georgia. Through a comprehensive historical, biographical, and economic analysis, the study explores how a single sporting institution has transformed a mid-sized Southern city into a globally recognized epicenter of elite sport and cultural capital. Drawing on archival research, interviews with local stakeholders, and economic data, the dissertation traces Augusta’s evolution from a strategic Confederate industrial hub to a modern city whose identity and economy are inextricably linked to the Augusta National and its flagship event, the Masters Tournament.
The research is structured across eight chapters, beginning with the historical development of Augusta and culminating in a detailed assessment of the club’s contemporary economic influence. Key figures such as Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts are examined for their visionary roles in the club’s founding, while the Masters Tournament is analyzed as a cultural and economic phenomenon. The study also explores the club’s land acquisitions, philanthropic initiatives, and the ripple effects on local businesses, employment, real estate, and infrastructure.
Findings reveal that Augusta National functions not only as a premier golf venue but also as a powerful economic engine and civic stakeholder. The club’s deliberate resistance to commercialization, coupled with its strategic investments in the local community, has created a unique model of place-based branding and economic development. Ultimately, the dissertation argues that the relationship between Augusta and Augusta National is symbiotic—each having shaped the other in a feedback loop of prestige, economy, and identity—offering a compelling case study in urban transformation through sport.
