Two years ago, Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley announced plans to enhance the Augusta Municipal Golf Course that has served the local golf community for nearly a century. Last Monday, Tiger Woods joined a project that has grown significantly beyond upgrading a course known fondly as “the Patch.”
Just more than three months since designers Tom Fazio and Beau Welling broke ground and cleared the land for a complete redesign of a new Patch, Ridley announced in a special Masters week Monday press conference that Woods and his TGR Design team will design a new nine-hole short course on the corner of the combined property where The First Tee Augusta practice facility currently is situated.
In addition, Woods’ TGR Foundation will partner with Augusta National Golf Club to create a fourth TGR Learning Lab in Augusta to deliver STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) to the more than 23,000 students in Augusta-Richmond County public schools. READ MORE
In his annual pre-Masters press conference last Wednesday, Ridley made it clear that Augusta National is on board with the game’s ruling bodies (the USGA and the R&A) when it comes to the announced golf ball rollback
“Implementation is the next challenge, as we all knew it would be,” Ridley said of the rollback, which is scheduled to go into effect for elite players in 2028 and for all golfers in 2030. “It is critical for the good of the game that all stakeholders work together as this issue evolves. I’m encouraged by the constructive and positive discussions that are aimed at successfully implementing this important change.”
Ridley also praised the PGA Tour for its push to improve pace of play, and said the Masters will continue to extend special invitations to international golfers but doesn’t otherwise plan to add special pathways for LIV Golf competitors like two other major championships have done this year. READ MORE
A mixed-team golf event will debut at the 2028 Olympics, the International Olympic Committee revealed when it released the official program for the Los Angeles Games last Wednesday. The event will take place between the men’s and women’s Olympic tournaments at Riviera Country Club. Still to be determined are how many teams will compete and the qualification process. READ MORE
Tap-ins
Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. roamed Augusta National as a credentialed photographer for the 2025 Masters. READ MORE
John Daly was once again in Augusta during Masters week, selling merchandise and posing for photos with fans at Hooters restaurant and offering a stark contrast to the sanctity of nearby Augusta National. READ MORE
Augusta National has bought numerous properties abutting the club in recent years to accommodate its expansion. But Elizabeth Thacker, the 92-year-old grandmother of PGA Tour winner Scott Brown, still refuses to sell her home at 1112 Stanley Road in Augusta despite years of lucrative offers from the club. READ MORE
Bank of America announced the launch of Golf with Us, which offers youth ages 6-18 a free one-year membership to Youth on Course that includes access to thousands of courses in 97 markets for $5 or less per round. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity