Richard B. Globensky’s golf swag swindling bogeyed big-time.

On March 19, a federal judge sentenced the former warehouse assistant at Augusta National Golf Club to a year in jail after the 40-year-old Evans, GA, man pleaded guilty to stealing and selling millions of dollars’ worth of exclusive Masters branded merchandise and historic memorabilia, including famous Green Jackets worn by past champions of the major professional golf tournament like Arnold Palmer, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan.

In addition, U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman ordered Globensky to pay $3,448,842 in restitution to Augusta National, the world-famous golf club in Georgia that every April hosts the Masters Tournament.

From 2009 to 2022, Globensky admitted to making $5.6 million by selling stolen Masters merch and memorabilia to an online broker in Florida. Items included Masters shirts, hats, flags, watches and other goods. The historically significant memorabilia included Green Jackets worn by tournament winners (which are kept at the course after the winner wears his for a year), as well as tournament programs and tickets from the 1930s, tournament records from 1942 and an Augusta National clubhouse trophy.

Some context: The Masters is the first of pro golf’s four major championships. Steeped in tradition, the official tournament merch is exclusive and highly prized, being sold only at Augusta during the week of the competition. This leads to rampant reselling online at marked-up prices by people who legitimately purchase the merchandise at the tournament.

$5.6 Million
That’s how much Richard B. Globensky made selling, to a broker, the Masters merchandise and memorabilia he stole from Augusta National.

Prosecutors said it also proved an enticement to crookery for Globensky, who used the cash he scored through his thieving to fund lavish purchases.

During the last six years of his stealing alone, Globensky spent $370,000 to buy five vehicles and a motorboat, $32,000 at luxury retailer Louis Vuitton and $160,000 on Walt Disney-themed vacations and related activities, authorities said. He also got himself a swanky pad, splashing out almost $600,000 on the construction of a custom-built residence.

“The funds Globensky obtained enabled him and his spouse to live a lifestyle far beyond their means,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes wrote in a sentencing memorandum. “The manner in which he spent the proceeds suggests greed was his primary motivation for committing the offense.”

About $3.45 Million
Augusta National’s losses due to Richard Globensky’s merch and memorabilia stealing scheme.

Globensky reportedly choked up in court as he apologized for his 13 years of multimillion-dollar filching, according to Newser.

“I deeply regret the decision that led me to this moment,” he said. “I have taken full responsibility for my actions and remain committed to doing everything in my power to make amends.”

Prosecutors were looking to lock Globensky up for 16 months. Still, authorities noted he cooperated with investigators and proactively sold his house as part of efforts to make restitution. He got 12 months behind bars.

“The funds Globensky obtained enabled him and his spouse to live a lifestyle far beyond their means.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Hayes

Globensky began working at Augusta National in 2007. According to prosecutors, he’d snap pics of merch/memorabilia items and send them to the broker. The broker would indicate what was desired, and Globensky would see to it that the items grew legs, sneaking out relatively small quantities of goods at a time to minimize risk of exposure and then storing them offsite at a facility.

The broker, who authorities did not identify, sold the items online at massively marked-up prices.

Others, including an associate of the broker's, were allegedly involved. Things reportedly began to unravel when one of the people involved in what authorities described as a theft ring came to the attention of law enforcement and decided to cooperate, leading them to Globensky. 

Globensky's thieving led to losses of about $3.45 million for Augusta National, prosecutors said.

“We were severely disappointed to learn several years ago that a former Augusta National employee betrayed … our trust by stealing from the Club, Tournament and even a number of legends whose accomplishments at the Masters and in the game of golf are revered by all,” Augusta National said in a victim impact statement. “In short, the employee made significant personal gain with no regard for the impact his selfishness would have on the Club, players, the Tournament and his fellow employees.”

Formally, Globensky pleaded guilty to transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce. His case played out in U.S. District Court in Chicago, authorities indicated at the time of his guilty plea last year, because the 1958 Arnold Palmer jacket he stole was allegedly being sold to a collector in the Windy City for $4 million – all while the Federal Bureau of Investigation monitored and waited outside the collector’s home.