Hooters Just Made Its Most Hated Decision Ever, And John Daly’s Golf Fans Are Furious.

🎯 Lights Out on a Masters Tradition

The news broke this week without fanfare. Callers to the Hooters at 2834 Washington Road are now greeted with a pre-recorded message: “We are permanently closed.” The sudden shuttering of the restaurant has sent ripples through the golf community, which viewed the establishment as more than just a place for wings and beer; it was a Masters institution.

For one week every April, this specific Hooters transformed into the epicenter of an alternative Masters experience, far removed from the pristine and exclusive grounds of Augusta National Golf Club just down the road. The fact that the Augusta Hooters, popular location for John Daly during Masters week, has closed signifies more than just a business decision; it’s the end of a unique and cherished chapter in the tournament’s history. The Cumberland Hooters location in Georgia also closed this week, confirming a wider trend for the company in the state.

🔍 The Daly Destination: More Than Just a Restaurant

The restaurant’s legendary status is inextricably linked to two-time major champion John Daly. For over two decades, Daly, the “People’s Champion,” would park his massive RV in the restaurant’s parking lot for the entire week of the Masters. Here, he would hold court, sign autographs, sell a wide array of his colorful merchandise, and interact with thousands of fans.

It was a spectacle of accessibility and grassroots fanfare. Fans could buy a “Grip It and Sip It” t-shirt directly from the man himself, take a photo, and share a moment with a golf icon. This tradition provided a stark, blue-collar contrast to the buttoned-up atmosphere of the tournament itself. With the news that the Augusta Hooters, a popular location for John Daly during Masters week, has closed, that accessible fan experience is now a thing of the past.

As reported by local outlets like Augusta’s WRDW news, the closure was abrupt, with no warning given to the public or, seemingly, its employees.

💡 A Broader Pattern of Closures

While the loss of the Augusta location hits the golf world hard, it’s not an isolated incident. This closure is the latest in a series of shutdowns for the restaurant chain in Georgia. Just about a month ago, Hooters locations in Atlanta, Douglasville, Gwinnett, and Valdosta also closed their doors.

At the time, the company stated the move was part of a strategic shift. The corporation is reportedly transitioning to a “pure franchise business model,” which involves closing corporate-owned restaurants. It appears the Augusta and Cumberland locations are the latest casualties of this corporate restructuring. The fact that the Augusta Hooters, popular location for John Daly during Masters week, has closed seems to be a consequence of this larger business strategy, even if its cultural impact is unique.

📈 What’s Next for Daly and the Hooters Brand?

The immediate question on every golf fan’s mind is: Where will John Daly go for the 2026 Masters? His presence is a draw, and another local business will likely be eager to host his week-long party. However, it’s unlikely any new location will have the same history and organic tradition as the Washington Road Hooters.

For the Hooters brand, the decision to close such an iconic location—one that gave them priceless media exposure every single year—is puzzling to outsiders. While it may make sense on a corporate balance sheet, it represents a loss of significant cultural capital. As the company downsizes its corporate footprint, it risks losing the very local connections that made locations like this one famous. The story that the Augusta Hooters, a popular location for John Daly during Masters week, has closed will undoubtedly be a topic of conversation for months to come, and especially when the azaleas bloom next April.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions