News Summary
Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley and golf icon Tiger Woods toured future redevelopment sites aimed at enhancing local golf education. Projects include The Loop, a nine-hole course designed for all skill levels, and The Patch, a facility that will support the Augusta Technical College’s golf management curriculum. This collaboration emphasizes community engagement and aims to foster a new generation of golfers while providing affordable golfing experiences for local residents.
Augusta – Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley and golf legend Tiger Woods recently toured the future sites of several redevelopment projects aimed at enriching the local golf community. The developments include facilities known as The Loop and The Patch, which are planned to enhance golf education and accessibility in Augusta.
The Loop and The Patch are set to be developed at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, which is being revitalized in partnership with Augusta Technical College. The Loop will be designed by Woods’ TGR Design and will consist of a nine-hole short course that aims to cater to golfers of all skill levels. The Patch project, on the other hand, focuses on redeveloping this section of the golf course as part of the college’s golf management curriculum, allowing students to gain practical experience in golf operations.
The collaboration between Augusta National Golf Club and Augusta Technical College marks a significant step forward for the Patch project. This partnership was formed shortly after the city of Augusta transferred the management of The Patch to the college, emphasizing the focus on education and community involvement in golf. The overarching master plan entails not only the short course but also a redesigned 18-hole layout crafted by esteemed golf course architects Tom Fazio and Beau Welling.
A vital aspect of the development is the relocation of Augusta Technical College’s golf course management and workforce programs to The Patch. This will create a direct linkage with the First Tee of Augusta, which aims to teach golf and its core values to young people and community members from diverse backgrounds. The alignment between these facilities represents the initial partnership aimed at generating employment opportunities in the golf sector while providing affordable public golfing experiences for local residents.
Woods is also spearheading the creation of the TGR Learning Lab at the former Lamar Elementary School, marking the fourth of its kind across the United States. Augusta National Golf Club is expected to contribute meaningfully to this initiative, which is projected to open in 2028, with curriculum development occurring before that date. The TGR Learning Lab’s primary goal is to offer students from underserved communities inspiring learning environments along with access to modern technologies and career support.
The programs in the TGR Learning Lab will emphasize STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) educational enrichment while also focusing on health and well-being, along with career and college readiness. These programs will be available year-round, tailoring experiences to meet the needs of the participating students.
This collaboration between Augusta National Golf Club and Augusta Technical College serves as an illustration of a strong commitment to community engagement and development within golf education. By enhancing local facilities and providing educational resources, the projects aim to foster a new generation of golfers and professionals in the golf industry.
The Loop and The Patch stand as a testament to the growing importance of community-oriented initiatives within the sport, working towards inclusivity and education, which are central to ensuring that golf thrives in the Augusta area and beyond.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Tiger Woods & Augusta National Chairman Check Out Progress on The Patch
- Wikipedia: Augusta National Golf Club
- Newsweek: Tiger Woods Back at Augusta National
- Google Search: Augusta National Golf Club
- Golf Digest: Low Net at Augusta National
- Google Scholar: Augusta National Golf Club
- AP News: Masters Augusta National Hole by Hole
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Augusta National Golf Club
- The Fried Egg: Course Profile of Augusta National
- Google News: 2025 Masters
