Nestled just a short distance from the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club, host of the Masters Tournament, stands a modest, single-story home that has become an unexpected symbol of resistance in the face of relentless expansion.
For decades, the club has steadily acquired surrounding properties to enlarge its footprint, investing millions to expand its grounds and facilities. Yet, standing against this tide of development is 92-year-old Elizabeth Thacker, who, alongside her late husband Herman, has consistently declined multi-million dollar offers for the property they have called home for sixty years.
The three-bedroom house at 1112 Stanley Road in Augusta, Georgia, built by Herman in 1959, served as the heart of the Thacker family, where they raised their children. It also provided a familiar base for their grandson, professional golfer Scott Brown, during his younger years.
The significance of the location is immense. The house sits less than a mile from Augusta National, close to Gate 6, near the clubhouse and the practice area.
Augusta National’s ambition to grow its property is well-documented. Since 1999, the owners of the historic tournament have reportedly spent more than $200 million acquiring properties, expanding their reach by an extra 270 acres.
A Wall Street Journal report from 2019 indicated the club had invested $20 million over 20 years specifically to increase its footprint by roughly three-quarters. The buying spree has continued, with the club spending over $40 million in the past decade alone, often purchasing homes near the Thacker’s property to subsequently bulldoze them.
The scale of Augusta National’s acquisitions has been considerable, impacting the entire neighborhood around the Thackers’ home. Many neighbors have opted to take offers from the club and relocate.
Records suggest some of these acquisitions were made through limited liability companies such as BC Acquisition Co. and WSQ, underscoring the structured approach Augusta National takes in its property strategy.
These efforts highlight the club’s determination to gain land for various purposes, including creating more parking and hospitality areas to enhance the Masters experience.
The offers presented to the Thackers have been substantial, consistently described as multi-million dollar sums. This is notable when compared to the property’s last estimated value, which according to Yahoo News! property records, was $338,026 in 2024.
Despite the significant discrepancy between the market value and the offers, the Thackers’ position has remained unchanged. Their refusal to sell dates back years, even before Herman Thacker’s passing in 2019.
In 2017, Herman Thacker articulated their stance succinctly, telling NJ.com that they had no intention of selling, no matter the offer, because, as he put it, “Money ain’t everything.”
Elizabeth Thacker echoed this sentiment, adding simply, “We really don’t want to go.” This shared conviction has persisted, and Elizabeth, despite moving into a care home, reportedly intends to keep the house in the family.
Their daughter, Robin Thacker Rinder, confirmed their ongoing ownership and her mother’s resolve. She told Fox Business that Augusta National has made several offers over the years, exceeding the estimated value of the house.
Robin Thacker Rinder described her mother to Fortune as “very strong-willed,” a characteristic evident in her steadfast refusal to sell where others have not.
The family’s decision is even more striking when considering the amounts paid for neighboring properties. According to a Fortune report, a neighbor who lived an eleven-minute walk away sold her three-bedroom ranch house to the club in 2018 for $1.1 million.
Furthermore, the Thackers themselves sold another property they owned nearby to Augusta National for $1.2 million. This second property was where their grandson, Scott Brown, had lived during his college years.
This particular sale demonstrates the family’s willingness to engage in transactions when it suits them but also underscores their deliberate choice to hold onto the main family home on Stanley Road.
Scott Brown, reflecting on his grandparents’ long-held position, offered insights into their thinking. He acknowledged that the best decision his grandparents made was holding out for better offers, as the initial proposals were “pretty laughable compared with what the final few houses went for.”
He noted that offers started at a few hundred thousand and some eventually reached into the millions for later sales. This suggests a strategic patience that, while potentially financially rewarding if they chose to sell now, was primarily driven by non-monetary factors.
Brown also shared cherished memories tied to the home and its location near the Masters. He recounted a family tradition of attending the Masters every year before he turned professional, sitting on the 16th hole on Sunday to watch the groups come through – a ritual they maintained for eighteen years.
