Augusta National employee sentenced to prison for stealing Masters Tournament merch

Augusta-area residents sell Masters Tournament items all of the time, but one did it very illegally.

Richard Globensky, 40, of Evans was sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to transporting and transferring stolen goods, which he got from working at the Augusta National Golf Club. Here's what we know:

What did Richard Globensky do?

Globensky admitted in a plea agreement that he stole merchandise and memorabilia from 2009 to 2022 while he was employed by the club as a warehouse assistant, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. It not only included things like Masters shirts, hats, and watches, but also historically significant items, including three Green Jackets. He sold the goods to an online broker in Florida for more than $5 million. The brokers later re-sold the stolen merchandise and memorabilia, often at significant markups.

Whose Green Jackets did Richard Globensky steal?

Green Jackets are awarded to those who win the Masters Tournament. Globensky stole one of Arnold Palmer's jackets as well as Gene Sarazen's and one of Ben Hogan's.

Sarazen won one of the first ever Masters Tournaments in 1935. Hogan won in 1951 and 1953. Palmer won in 1958, 1960, 1962, and 1964.

How did Richard Globensky steal from the Augusta National?

The U.S. Attorney's Office said, during the last six years of the crime, Globensky spent nearly $600,000 on a custom-built home in Georgia, more than $370,000 to buy five vehicles and a motorboat, more than $160,000 for Walt Disney-themed vacations and related activities, and about $32,000 of Louis Vuitton merchandise.

“The funds Globensky obtained enabled him and his spouse to live a lifestyle far beyond their means,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “The manner in which he spent the proceeds suggests greed was his primary motivation for committing the offense.”

What was Richard Globensky sentenced to?

Globensky was sentenced to one year in prison and to pay $3,448,842 in restitution to Augusta National.

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When is the next Masters Tournament?

The main Masters Tournament 2025 is April 10-13.

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X and Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta National Golf Club worker sentenced to 1 year in federal prison