Apr. 7—AUGUSTA — Tiger Woods' legacy in Augusta is centered largely around his five Masters Tournament victories at Augusta National Golf Club.
Monday, it was revealed that Woods will expand that legacy beyond just the Masters. Woods will lead the design of a nine-hole short course at the redeveloped Augusta Municipal Golf Course, commonly referred to as The Patch, and Augusta National and Woods' TGR Foundation will partner together to open a TGR Learning Lab in Augusta that can serve more than 23,000 students in and around Richmond County.
"Today's announcements mark an important milestone for Augusta and deepen the connection our community has with one of our greatest Masters champions, Tiger Woods," said Augusta National and Masters Chairman Fred Ridley, who made the announcement in a press conference. "We are thankful to partner with the TGR Foundation and jointly invest in the Augusta community. This partnership, in the TGR Learning Lab, reflects our shared interest in increasing access to high-quality programming and impacting the next generation in a tangible way.
"At the heart of our effort at The Patch is a commitment to create an affordable and inviting golf experience. Equal importance will be placed on creating opportunities to learn and fall in love with the game as well as developing a pipeline for employment in the golf industry. We are proud to add TGR Design to work alongside our project partners to bring this dynamic plan to fruition."
TGR Design's portfolio includes more than a dozen courses, including short courses like Woods' redesign of The Hay at Pebble Beach. Ridley said Woods' design in Augusta will be called The Loop at The Patch, with the name paying tribute to the caddies who have used the course as a gathering spot for decades.
Woods is not at this year's Masters following surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, but he recorded a video message to be played during Monday's announcement.
"Partnering with Augusta National Golf Club to serve its surrounding community is truly special," said Woods. "My passion for education and golf dates back a long time, as does my relationship with Augusta National and the city of Augusta. This is a transformational opportunity to empower the next generation and deliver meaningful educational programming and access to fun and affordable golf. I am excited to work alongside Augusta National and see both projects become a reality."
The TGR Learning Lab Augusta is expected to open in April 2028 and will be the TGR Foundation's fourth location. It will be at the former site of Lamar Elementary School and will deliver programming to all students within the Richmond County School System and surrounding school districts in the CSRA. The Learning Labs provide learning spaces, access to the latest technology and a support community dedicated to the success of students from under-resourced communities.
The programs at TGR Learning Labs are free and year-round, and they focus on educational enrichment in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — commonly referred to as STEAM — in addition to health and well-being plus career and college readiness. The in-school curriculum will launch in Richmond County prior to the lab's opening.
Ridley said Augusta National will make a "meaningful financial contribution" to the construction and ongoing operation of the lab.
"Investing in STEAM education for our youth will strengthen our community and drive economic growth," Ridley said. "It will spark innovation and deliver a skilled workforce that will serve Augusta for many years to come. These are worthy investments, and TGR Learning Lab Augusta will help make all of this a reality."
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