Golf Hall of Fame Ending State Status

The Georgia Golf Hall of Fame is ending its status as a state entity, and legislators want the state to transfer control, and possibly ownership, of the hall's former grounds to the Augusta commission.

State Senator Ed Tarver (D-Augusta) says a transfer could enable local officials to recruit private development, such as a baseball stadium.

"It's a resource that's not being utilized in its current form," says Tarver. "As long as it's in government hands, it will not generate any revenue for the county at large."

The Hall of Fame closed in 2007 after its state funding was cut, but has continued events, such as inducting members.

The future of the hall is still unclear, although ending its relationship with the state could possibly lead to the hall becoming a private entity.

Augusta, meanwhile, is home to the Masters tournament, one of the most prestigious golf competitions in the world.

Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in Augusta gets state funding

About $110,000 in state dollars will go to the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame in Augusta in the coming fiscal year.

The money will fund operational expenses and strategic planning.

The funding this year comes after a controversial veto last year by Governor Sonny Perdue that nixed more than $630,000 in state funding to the hall.

A sticking point then...funding the gardens there.

The gardens closed shortly after Perdue's veto, due to the lack of money.

Augusta/Richmond County now operates them as a botanical park.

"Now we're back in the hall of fame business again," says Diane Swain, the hall's executive director.

The hall has 78 inductees.