Consumer Stories

B2B Stories

Companies use golf and laptops to interest CSRA kids

The timing of the Masters golf tournament certainly helped a pair of technology companies to influence future leaders. Students were part of an interactive, STEM – based Putt-Putt activity to inspire learning. AT&T partnered with Compu adopt, and the nonprofit learned fresh to help the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta. 100 refurbished laptops were donated, along with a $25,000 community investment to support the AT&T Connected Learning Center at the club.  “Access to technology and digital tools is essential to how our students learn in today’s world. We appreciate

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Consumer Stories

Bus donation pays dividends down the road

Recently, the Gerald Jones Auto Group and the Garden City Gospel Mission held a pretty unique event. Though it’s not unique for a successful business to write a check for $5000 to help, it is unique when free transportation is involved. The auto group donated a bus to provide reliable transportation for men in the mission’s residential recovery program. The uses include helping connect them with employment, services, and daily support.   Thanks to Virginia Atkins of Gerald Jones Auto Group for providing THIS video on board with the leaders of

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Consumer Stories

Putt-Ing on an event for a good cause

Lovers of miniature golf this week will find a course awaiting them at Putt Putt in Martinez. Putt Putt owners will give back in about a month to make a difference for those who want to be seen. For 65 years, Easterseals of East Georgia has empowered individuals with disabilities and barriers to employment to build confidence, gain skills, and achieve independence.  Easter Seals is partnering with Putt Putt and area companies to be part of that mission.  at our upcoming fundraiser: May 19, 2026 | 5:00–8:00 PM Putt-Putt Fun

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Consumer Stories

Topgolf brings in top names after 1st round of Masters

Country music star Rodney Atkins will be “watching you” if you come to Topgolf tonight for his concert. You can also yuk it up with a golfing legend tonight and Friday night. Band members from Sister Hazel were scheduled to perform last night, and Black Dog tomorrow night. While much attention is focused on Washington Road, golf patrons visiting Augusta have a chance to test their own skills just down the road. Topgolf is a straight, one-mile shot down Alexander Drive from Washington Road. Tucked at the end of the

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Consumer Stories

Masters of the “House”: Learning from the Front and the Back at Augusta National

The 90th edition of the Masters officially begins this morning when honorary starters Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson hit their ceremonial tee shots, immediately followed by the start of tournament play. As I discussed in last week’s column, the best companies and sports teams focus on continuous improvement, and no organization epitomizes that more than the Masters and Augusta National. This time of the year, I typically write at least one column on the Masters/Augusta National because there is so much that businesses can learn from the Masters

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Consumer Stories

“Bad Birdie” success inspired by Masters tournament

A few years ago, this week, Jason Richardson walked the Augusta National course and took pride in seeing how many patrons wore his Bad Birdie-branded shirts and hats. “Going to the Masters was like Disneyland for adults,” said the company owner headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. His most recent collection, “Amateursland,” is a nod to the theme park, amateur golfers, and The Masters.  Mr. Peach, The Gnome, Pimento C. Sandwich, Folding Chair, and Dr. Azalea are some of the iconic characters placed on his apparel, based on the famed tournament.  Bad

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Consumer Stories

Simon Says: Unique reasons why some golfers get a Green Jacket

Over the last 10 Masters tournaments, the winner has been victorious either by one shot (3 times) or through a playoff (twice), indicating that victory often hinges on the smallest of margins. Professional golfers, therefore, spend many hours on skill development, decision-making, and mental resilience. However, external factors, such as weather, can introduce an element of luck into golf competitions. Sometimes golfers benefit from a calm day going out early, sometimes the afternoon weather is more agreeable to low scores. Justin Ehrlich, a co-author of mine on other research, and

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B2B Stories

Days of golf, evenings of exploration

Day one of practice rounds is underway at the Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC). When practice rounds and tournament days conclude each evening, area tourism and business leaders want visitors to explore activities off the golf course. Destination Augusta created a new set of tools to showcase the Garden City. It began with a refresh of its Visit Augusta website. “We updated our content and are getting it on the forefront of our homepage so it’s easily accessible to people who are Googling for answers,” Karen Lee Davis of Destination

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B2B Stories

ANWA Golf Star helps train 70 CSRA children

17-year-old Asterisk Talley (above), who led this weekend’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur tournament, was one of eight current or legendary female golfers to help kids with golf lessons and life skills, while in town. Before Talley and other ANWA players teed off at Champions Retreat this past Wednesday, they spent an afternoon at Jones Creek Golf Course working on chipping, putting, and swinging. This clinic is part of Bank of America’s Golf with Us program, in partnership with Youth on Course, to expand affordable access to golf nationwide. Augusta youth from the Boys &

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B2B Stories

Hope Springs Eternal: What Business Can Learn from Baseball

MLB teams are typically optimistic about their prospects for winning in the upcoming season, and often such optimism is warranted. In the last four seasons (2022-2025), since MLB expanded its playoffs to 12 teams, 23 of the 48 teams making the playoffs did not make the playoffs in the previous year. Since teams can improve their competitiveness year over year, so can businesses and organizations. The Los Angeles Dodgers have the highest payroll and best talent in baseball and have won the last two World Series championships. However, last season,

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