© 2013 The Texas Lawbook.
By Natalie Posgate
Staff Writer for The Texas Lawbook
The Augusta National Golf Club has accused Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, Inc. of attempting to auction a stolen green jacket that was awarded to Art Wall, Jr., the 1959 champion of the world-famous Masters Golf Tournament.
A Dallas judge on Monday issued a 14-day restraining order stopping Heritage from selling the jacket at an auction scheduled for Saturday in New York.
According to the lawsuit, filed yesterday by Augusta National, Inc. in the 298th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, the Georgia golf club realized the Wall Green Jacket had been stolen when it appeared in an online auction hosted by another auction company in April 2012. ANI unsuccessfully attempted to re-obtain the jacket before the auction closed and the winning bidder made off with the stolen property.
An internal investigation revealed that three ANI employees had stolen Mr. Wall’s green jacket plus three other jackets that the golf club recovered. A few days ago, ANI saw the Wall Green Jacket advertised in Heritage’s auction catalogue and website.
“A reasonable conclusion may be drawn that there is immediate danger that Heritage or another party in possession of the Wall Green Jacket will conceal, dispose of, ill-treat, waste and/or remove it from the county during the pendency of this lawsuit,” the petition said.
Dallas attorney Christopher Groves of Miller, Egan, Molter & Nelson is representing ANI in the case. Groves and ANI declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Heritage General Counsel Richard Brainerd is handling the legal matters for the company in the lawsuit.
According to a statement by Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions at Heritage, the company’s consignor is “a well-known and respected collector” who purchased the jacket “in good faith last year for $61,000” at another public auction.
“To the best of our knowledge, Augusta National did not challenge that earlier auction prior to its sale last April,” the statement said. “The jacket has been removed from the sale.”
Art Wall, Jr. won the Masters Tournament in 1959 by firing a 66 in the final round when he birdied five of his last six holes, overtaking Cary Middlecoff and defending champion Arnold Palmer.
The green jacket has been awarded annually to winners of The Masters since 1949. The blazer’s outside breast pocket contains ANI’s and The Masters’ trademark symbol. Known as one of the most prized possessions in the entire golfing world, the green jacket is only allowed to be removed from Augusta National by the reigning champion for one year, after which it must remain at the club.
A follow-up hearing is scheduled for Mar. 4 to consider renewing the injunction.
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