Elizabeth Thacker, at 92 years young, stands firm in the face of a renowned golf club’s expansion efforts in Augusta, Georgia. The Augusta National Golf Club, home to the prestigious Masters tournament, is keen on extending its territory, particularly for a new parking lot. However, Elizabeth, who has lived in her home since 1959, refuses to budge.
A Decade of Resistance
It’s been nearly ten years since the golf club first expressed interest in Elizabeth’s property. Plans to enhance the club’s facilities include not only a parking area but additional housing and an 18-hole golf course. Over the years, the club has reportedly spent a staggering 200 million euros acquiring nearby properties for these developments. Despite the potential financial gain, Elizabeth remains attached to her home, a sentiment echoed by her son, Robin Thacker Rinder, in an interview with Fox Business: “Yes, the house is still ours. And yes, mom still lives there.”
More Than Money
The conflict between the Thacker family and the Augusta National Golf Club began almost a decade ago when Elizabeth and her late husband, Herman, politely declined the club’s first purchase offer. Even after 40 million euros were invested in the surrounding area, Herman maintained, “Money isn’t everything.” A golf enthusiast himself, he was firm in his decision to keep their family home, a sentiment he upheld until his passing in 2019 at the age of 86.
Elizabeth isn’t just being stubborn; she’s honoring her husband’s wishes to keep their longtime home out of the golf club’s hands. While she has shown some flexibility in the past—selling another property to the golf club for 1.2 million dollars—the family home, valued at 330,000 dollars, has attracted offers of several million euros, according to the Wall Street Journal. Yet, the message from the Thacker family remains clear: “1112 Stanley Road is not for sale.”
Standing Alone
As other neighbors have gradually sold their properties, Elizabeth remains one of the last holdouts against the expanding golf club. Her determination symbolizes a deeper fight for personal legacy and the sanctity of home, which resonates far beyond the fairways of Augusta. Despite the prestige of the Masters tournament and the substantial sums offered, Elizabeth Thacker intends to stay put, preserving a lifetime of memories and her husband’s legacy in their cherished home.
