Anticipation has been building, and the wait is now over. The redesigned Augusta Municipal Golf Course is open to the public for business.
The Patch, as it is affectionately known, had a soft re-opening in mid-March. The first weeks, however, were for high school golf teams and other groups to experience the new facility, followed by private parties during Masters Week.
The project had two parts. First, a major renovation of the 18-hole golf course. The second part was creating a nine-hole short course, designed by five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods.
John Patrick, host of The Augusta Golf Show, told ABD he anticipates the short course will be the draw.
“You’re going to have people who’ve never played the game out there playing on that par three course and getting introduced to it. And I honestly think as popular as the full golf course will be, I think the Loop is going to be the big star of the project,” he said.
Fred Ridley, chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club (ANGC), highlighted The Patch in one of his daily news conferences during the tournament.
“We celebrated another initiative to serve the game of golf in our community. This endeavor focused on our home in Augusta with the celebration of the reopening of The Patch and a nine-hole short course we have named The Loop at the Patch,” he said.
He added, “It will be a community destination where golf is accessible, affordable, and fun for everyone.”
Renovations began in April 2023. Keeping The Patch affordable for all players was a concern, including for then Augusta Commissioner Sean Frantom.
“That was the concern of the community, was that they were going to transform this golf course into a beautiful, new jewel, but it wouldn’t be affordable for the locals, and they, by far, exceeded the expectations by the rates that they dropped (in February),” said Frantom, now Manager of Sales and Community Involvement at Topgolf. “I don’t think anybody anticipated those rates. They’re close to what we said, but we were a few dollars more when we had the discussions.”
The lowest rate, for residents of Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie, Jefferson, Burke, Aiken, and Edgefield Counties, is $25.00 Monday through Thursday for an 18-hole round. Friday through Sunday and holidays increase to $35.00. Active duty members of the U.S. armed services are also eligible for the local resident rate.
Patrick said he is concerned players not familiar with the original course expect what he called “Augusta National Light.” However, he believes longtime players of the municipal course will love the course and the improvements.
“I think they’ve done exactly what they wanted to do, and I think they’ve done it the best way possible. I’ll just be curious to see if it’s able, in some shape, form, or fashion, to get that old feeling back. It’s my understanding that they have saved a couple of times a week for those old members, however large the group is.”
The revitalization is a partnership with ANGC, Augusta Technical College, The First Tee of Augusta, and the Masters Tournament Charities.
In addition to providing recreation, the facility will be one of Augusta Tech’s satellite campuses. It will be the home for the Golf Course Management Program, including golf course management, golf course technician, and horticulture.
It will also be the location for a program between Augusta Tech and the Warrior Alliance’s Operation Double Eagle. It will train individuals to use skills learned in military service to build new careers in the golf, landscape, and turf industries.
In addition to opportunities at The Patch, ANGC, and the Richmond County School System are collaborating on the TGR Learning Lab of Augusta, first announced in April 2025. It will be at the former Lamar Elementary School, with a groundbreaking later this year. The lab will also be available to surrounding school districts in the CSRA.
“This concept was brought to life by Tiger Woods and his TGR Foundation more than 20 years ago,” explained Ridley. “The Augusta Learning Lab will be the fourth location in the United States and will provide underserved youth with access to steam education and workforce development opportunities. Mobile programming will begin next year with the opening of the lab, targeted for 2028.”
More information about the facility, including a gallery of photos and online booking for tee times, is at www.GolfThePatch.com
