Amen Corner at Augusta National sports one of the more challenging, but beautiful three holes in golf. With a stone bridge across Rae’s Creek, it provides iconic “beauty shots” during the Masters. Augusta National has trademarked the name, “Amen Corner.”
That Amen Corner was born in 1958. Ethan Hammond wasn’t even a glimmer in his parents’ eyes back then. His business, Amen Corner Ponds, while a nod to his community, stems more from his church upbringing and honoring his faith, because to be successful in business and life, we all need an amen corner.
A good foundation and work ethic led Ethan Hammond into business at a very early age. Being an entrepreneur was part of his DNA.
“I grew up on a goat farm, where we made cheese and soaps. My dad also had lawn and pool care businesses. I started working alongside him at the age of seven years old. I was also homeschooled and worked ahead to have free time and determine what I wanted to do when I grew up,” explained Hammond.
By the time he was 13, he had figured out his destiny and four years later, the skill sets he had learned alongside his dad led him to become Aquascape certified, the youngest in the world.
“I originally wanted to be an architect, but through my experience with my dad’s pool business and a friend of his that needed a Koi Pond cleaned, I developed a passion for maintaining and developing ponds and other water features,’ he said. “The natural aspect of the business attracted me. That was really the beginning of Amen Corner Ponds.”
Hammond started his business in 2015 and has worked hard to develop his customers’ dreams of a perfect way to enjoy their outdoor experience, a way to escape from the hustle and bustle of work by being close to the water and nature, even when you aren’t at the beach or a lake.
“Water features are very soothing,” Hammond said. “Studies show that people who live by the water are happier. In many ways, it’s like Heaven on earth. We have families with a Koi pond who name their fish.”
Amen Corner Ponds works closely with other contractors in the CSRA for the water features which their customers create.
“We can get as creative as you can imagine and your budget allows, whether it’s a small dipping pond, which is becoming very popular, or a pond less waterfall, otherwise known as a disappearing waterfall,” he said.
Amen Corner Ponds serves about 30 customers each year, whether building ponds or water features or maintaining them. And every spring when they return to cleaning them, “It’s like a family reunion.”
Recently, Hammond has been contacted by Augusta National regarding the name of his business. The discussions, paperwork, and legal counsel are not something Hammond is able to pursue. He is a small business owner who is building his future.
Back to the beginning, Amen Corner is an Augusta National icon, but doesn’t everyone in business or life need an amen corner? How is an amen market even cornered?
His North Augusta business serves the CSRA and beyond. For more information on Amen Corner Ponds, visit their website or Facebook page.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means!
If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
