Judge rules Augusta gets to keep contested green jackets during lawsuit

Augusta National claims it has never sold green jackets at any point in its history.

Andy Roberts's picture
Tue, 16 Jan 2018

The days of green jacket auctions at a company aptly called Green Jacket Auctions would appear to be over after a US judge signed an order confirming a trio of jackets are to remain with Augusta National. 

Back in August, the famed Masters club filed a federal lawsuit to halt Green Jacket Auctions from auctioning a trio of green jackets - one supposedly belonging to Byron Nelson, one to a current member, and one to a former member.

US District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall signed an order Friday saying in part: "The parties shall not construe the release and transfer of these items as anything other than an alteration of its previous preservation order. The court has not yet made any determinations regarding the disputed issues in this case."

Five months ago, Augusta maintained the items were either stolen or fakes. The club has also since claimed that it has never sold green jackets at any point in its history, and members are likewise prohibited from doing so.

Not surprisingly, Green Jacket Auctions disagree on the matter, claiming it obtained the jackets legally through third parties who themselves rightfully owned the garments.

Ryan Carey, co-founder of Green Jacket Auctions, said: "Augusta National likes to claim things are ‘stolen’ when what they really mean is they believe Augusta National owns every green jacket ever produced regardless of who currently owns or possesses the jackets."

The famed green garments are only worn by members during the Masters, and only the reigning Masters champion is permitted to take his jacket from the premises.

Judge Hall granted a temporary injunction in August, which stopped the auction pending the determination of ownership.

The latest news would suggest an end to any green jacket auctions at Green Jacket Auctions.Â