Augusta, GA

Why did Augusta National buy a public park? It fits the club's strategy

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2024

Press Room

Why did Augusta National buy a public park? It fits the club's strategy

By:

Sean Zak

March 8, 2024

This week, Augusta National was approved to purchase a nearby city park, on which rests a tennis court and a playground area.

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In about one month, the sports world will once again turn its gaze toward the property at 2604 Washington Road in Augusta, Ga., a property better known as Augusta National Golf Club. For many, that club enters our minds on a one-week-a-year basis, but in reality there are club operations taking place year-round that impact how it runs its major tournament.

For example: this week’s news, that the most famous golf club in the world has purchased a city park.

The idea of ANGC buying property is nothing new. Augusta National has slowly but surely extended its footprint, purchasing a nearby Wendy’s in 2020, a shopping center later that year and dozens of residential properties that border the club. Most of those acquisitions have taken place since 2000. But a city park in 2024? Why would a golf club buy up that land?

Proximity, and improved access to the eastern part of its property. At least that’s what local leaders would make it seem.

Various Augusta-area outlets were the first to report that the club has purchased West Vineland Park, at 239 W. Vineland Road, from the city of Augusta. It’s a small lot — 1.05 acres total, on which sits a single, fenced-in tennis court and a tiny playground area. Importantly, it abuts a small driveway that has been used by Augusta National for years.

The purchase was made for a reported $350,000 on a property with an assessed value of $58,300, and confirmed Wednesday by the Augusta Georgia Land Bank Authority, a public-service entity that brokered the deal. The bank specializes in “acquiring tax-delinquent and abandoned properties and returning them to productive use.”

West Vineland Park augusta national — West Vineland Park and its border with Augusta National, circa 2018.

Local tax commissioner Tederell Johnson provided a bit of clarity to the local ABC affiliate, saying, “It’s my understanding the Masters has, for this particular park, is to use it as access and egress into their property.”

What that means for the park is unclear. A decade ago, this east side of the property was a bit more wooded. But as with many recent developments of building outward, the club added two buildings near that driveway entrance in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Buying up the land outside the entrance is simply just owning another link in the chair of parcels the club now owns along Vineland Road.

Through various LLCs that are confirmed as affiliates of Augusta National, the club has purchased more than 100 properties in recent years, most of them bordering club boundaries. For example, the land acquired from Augusta Country Club in 2017 — to lengthen the 13th hole with a new teeing ground on the course’s southern tip — was acquired via five different LLCs under the name RC Eagle. The massive, global television compound on the other side of Washington Road is housed under the name “The Greens on Washington Road, LLC.”

Augusta National land ownership — All the parcels owned by Berckman Residential Properties, LLC, an affiliate of Augusta National.

The most prolific buyer is known as Berckman Residential Properties, LLC, which owns numerous plots both north and south of West Vineland Park. In total, Berckman Residential Properties owns, as of this month, 170 parcels in Augusta (pictured above), the large majority of which surround Augusta National’s 345-acre golf course.

Attentive golf fans (and maybe those who have attended the Masters before) know what the club has done with some of these properties in the past. Along its western border, Augusta National has set up a massive parking enclave for tournament week, and even extended the wooded area that encompasses the outline of the 2nd tee box.

What does the club intend to do with its eastern border? The details of that remain unclear, but there is a clear impetus to own almost every piece of land that rests on the inside of Vineland Road. Only about 12 parcels (out of 34) along that border remain unowned by the club.

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Published

10 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.

“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.”

She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program.

From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition.

Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.

“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.

With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same.

Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.

“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

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Augusta, GA

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

Published

22 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.

Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.

USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.

On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.

This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall.

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam.

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.

Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.

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