Posted March 24, 2016, 12:14 pm
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Extra security for Masters on minds of Augusta-area law enforcement even before Brussels attacks

Richmond County sheriff’s officials said they were already planning for increased security with the Masters Tournament coming next month before Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in Brussels that killed at least 30 and injured hundreds.

Any event that brings large numbers of people together forces authorities to question how things could go wrong before they begin planning security, Capt. Scott Gay said Wednesday. The Masters is from April 4-10.

“We were already planning for the worst because of the world we live in,” Gay said.

Gay did not comment on the potential problems they prepare for.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including state and federal, get involved in the preparation and enforcement of security at Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters. Each year the plan is tweaked slightly, and preparations for the next year begin as soon as the tournament ends.

For security reasons, Gay did not detail the types of security measures being taken, but he did say officials are using “the latest technological efforts” to their advantage.

“We want people to feel safe,” he said.

Security for the Masters is unique from other sporting events for several reasons, Gay said.

First, it’s longer, lasting eight days, but the club does put restrictions on what patrons can bring to the tournament. The list includes bags, which are always a security concern at large events, as well as cellphones (each day) and cameras during tournament rounds.