Laborer David Gibbs of Thompson Wrecking Company carries scrap metal taken from shopping center buildings being demolished in the 2700 block of Washington Road, near the Augusta National Golf Club. (Andrew Davis Tucker/Augusta Chronicle)

Recent demolition activity on land controlled by the Augusta National Golf Club provides no clue about the future of the properties, and the club is not giving any clues, either.

This week, workers are tearing down a shopping center in the 2700 block of Washington Road that once housed a dry cleaner, an Oriental rug dealer and a barbershop.

Like several other Washington Road properties recently leveled outside the perimeter of the Augusta National, the 2.6-acre tract in the 2700 block was purchased in recent years by companies connected to the exclusive golf club.

How long the parcels along the busy commercial thoroughfare will remain bare is unclear.

In years past, Augusta National Chairman Hootie Johnson has said any land it or its affiliates acquired would be used for parking and storage during the Masters Tournament. Augusta National spokesman Glenn Greenspan would not elaborate this week.

"As Mr. Johnson previously stated, some of the property the club has acquired on its perimeter will be used for tournament support, including parking," he said.

Mr. Gibbs (left) and Nathaniel Brown of Thompson Wrecking Company sort scrap from demolition along Washington Road near Augusta National. The club won't give details on how it intends to use the land. (Andrew Davis Tucker/Augusta Chronicle)

The property in the 2700 block is owned by BRCE Investments LLC, a company with ties to Augusta National member Thomas Blanchard Jr.

Mr. Blanchard also is connected to Berckman Corner LLC, which owns property on the same block that was formerly occupied by Mally's Bagels and Grits and the former Comedy House Theatre. Those buildings were razed in November.

Last month, workers finished clearing off the former Steak and Ale restaurant in front of the Big Tree shopping center on Washington Road.

Both the restaurant parcel and the shopping center are owned by Big Tree LLC, a company with ties to Augusta National member Boone Knox.

It is unclear whether demolition and land-clearing is in the cards for a third Augusta National-controlled property, a 1.4-acre parcel occupied by The Clubhouse, a meeting and special-events facility. The land is on Washington Road, across from the Augusta National's main gate.

The gravel area in the Big Tree Shopping Center was were Steak & Ale was located until the building was torn down several weeks ago December 5, 2005 in Augusta, Ga. (Annette M. Drowlette/Augusta Chronicle)

The Augusta National, which owns the property through a company affiliated with its law firm, Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley PC, in June notified The Clubhouse operator, Augusta caterer Terry Wick, that his lease would not be renewed for 2006.

"I did probably 75 percent of my (business) at The Clubhouse," said Mr. Wick, whose company catered luncheons at the facility for clubs and organizations.

The Augusta Rotary Club, whose last meeting at the building was Dec. 19, has moved its meeting location to the nearby Scottish Rite of Freemasonry building, club president Joseph Greene said.

Reach Damon Cline at (706) 823-3486, or damon.cline@augustachronicle.com.