Augusta National is perhaps the most prestigious golf course in the world, but back in 1983, the Masters venue played host to a seriously tense situation.
Ronald Reagan paid a visit to Augusta National as a guest of his Secretary of State at the time, George Shultz.
Reagan didn’t actually play golf regularly, but his swing was said to be easy on the eye and he usually shot in the low-90s.
His most memorable round came 42 years ago at Augusta, but sadly, it had nothing to do with playing good golf.
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Reagan was involved in a seriously tense situation as a gunman took hostages inside the Augusta National pro shop.
Hostage situation at Augusta National while President Reagan was playing
In 1983, President Reagan was coming to the end of his round at Augusta when a serious situation began to develop.
As Reagan approached the 16th green, he was informed that a gunman had forced his way inside the Augusta National property.
Local resident, Charles Harris, had rammed through the gates of one of the entrances and forced his way inside the pro shop.
The armed Harris proceeded to hold five people hostage, including a chauffeur, and demanded to speak with the President.
Reagan’s assistant was inside the pro shop but was allowed to leave in order to facilitate the phone call with the President.
However, one phone call took place before Reagan eventually spoke with Harris.
Firstly, the wife of an Augusta member rang the pro shop to ask for her clubs to be got ready for her arrival.
Unsurprisingly, Harris reacted angrily and told her that ‘nobody would be playing golf today’, in no uncertain terms!
When the phone rang again, it was Reagan himself.
Calling from a mobile phone – one of the first ever models – Reagan said: “This is the President of the United States. This is Ronald Reagan. I understand you want to talk to me.“
However, the line was so poor that Harris quickly became infuriated, and pulled the phone out of the wall.
He was apprehended two hours later after Reagan was driven off the property.
Most of the hostages had either escaped or been released.
President Reagan saw out his plans at Augusta National
It was later explained that Harris was going through a tough period in his life, having lost his job and his wife.
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He was hit with a vast array of charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Harris only served three years in the end.
Interestingly, Reagan clearly wasn’t affected too much by the whole situation.
Reagan returned to the club after Harris had been arrested and stayed the night in the Eisenhower cabin as he had previously planned to do.
The President then played Augusta the following day.
Since that incident, the security at Augusta National has unsurprisingly been beefed up, understandably so.
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