Augusta, GA

Keeping up with the Joneses who helped design Augusta National's classic back nine

Published

2 years ago

April 14, 2024

Keeping up with the Joneses who helped design Augusta National's classic back nine

AUGUSTA, GA. – I was standing behind the 18th green watching Tiger Woods finish when a gentleman noticed my jacket, which bore the logo of the 2016 Ryder Cup contested at Hazeltine National in Chaska.

He introduced himself as Robert Trent Jones Jr., son of the famous golf course designer and a renowned course architect himself.

His father designed Hazeltine National and helped legendary Masters founder Bobby Jones alter holes on the back nine at Augusta National to produce the thrilling stretch we see every year at the Masters.

Jones Sr. is widely credited with adding ponds to the 11th and 16th holes. Jones Jr. said his father also helped shape the 12th hole, the most famous par-3 in golf.

“My father told Bobby that World War I and trench warfare were over,” Jones Jr. said. “And that we learned in World War II that aerial warfare was now what mattered.”

So Augusta National added ponds, making the back nine more beautiful and forcing players to hit spectacular, high-flying shots.

Jones Jr. designed Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, as well as many courses around the world. His company’s website is rtj2.com.

• The first pairing on Sunday includes 61-year-old Vijay Singh, who is wearing a popular sneaker brand that does not make golf shoes. Comfort is everything when you get older.

• Each of the past 27 Masters winners were within four shots of the lead heading into the final round. If that trend holds, the winner would be Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Ludvig Aberg or Bryson DeChambeau.

• Morikawa is set up for a third straight top-10 finish at Augusta.

• Aberg is trying to become the first player to win the Masters in their major championship debut.

• I wrote my third-round column on the classy leaders heading into Sunday, and my sidebar on the difficulties of playing the course, through the eyes of Erik van Rooyen and his caddie.

• Check back at Startribune.com for three online pieces available tonight and Sunday morning, plus coverage of the final round and my follow-up piece on Tuesday.

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Augusta, GA

Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran

Published

6 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Protestors in downtown Augusta speak out after strikes on Iran

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local protestors made their voices heard after Israel and the U.S. announced strikes on Iran Saturday, ones that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports say.

Protesters lined 13th Street in Downtown Augusta and walked across the river to North Augusta to make sure as many people as possible heard them.

50501 CSRA already had a march planned for Saturday, but in light of the strikes on Iran, decided to expand its focus.

Local leaders spoke about their concerns for the strikes, and roughly 60 people showed up to share theirs as well.

One of the event organizers said to make your voice heard your voice heard.

“Just call your people, call your representatives, if you don’t like that Iran was bombed, I don’t either. But call people and let them know, email them. Let it be relentless. Congress did not approve this. They have a say in this,” Zee Cook said.

The strike is being called “Operation Epic Fury,” with Iran responding with multiple missile and drone strikes across the Middle East.

In a social media post, President Trump said the bombing of the country will continue “as long as necessary.”

People across the world began lining the streets as well in support and against the decision.

Leaders across the world reacted to the news, including those in Georgia and South Carolina.

There’s a protest planned in Charleston and other regional cities this week.

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Augusta, GA

Lock and Dam Park closing to public for a month in Augusta

Published

18 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Lock and Dam Park closing to public for a month in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city of Augusta announced a temporary closure of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Park.

Closure of the park at 2105 Lock and Dam Road will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the lock and dam structure.

The park will be closed from March 4 to April 7.

All areas of the park will be closed.

However, the Baurle Boat Ramp will remain open and accessible to the public for fishing and boating activities.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta 911 call center earns statewide honor

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Augusta 911 call center earns statewide honor

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta 911 center has been named 2025 Communications Center of the Year at the Georgia Emergency Communications Conference in Athens.

The award recognizes excellence in public safety communications, innovation, leadership and service.

The award recognizes a center that demonstrates strong performance in emergency response coordination, training, technology and community engagement.

The Augusta center was selected among agencies statewide for its consistent service, professional standards and coordination with public safety partners.

“This recognition reflects the work our team does every single day,” said Daniel R. Dunlap, 911 director. “Our communications officers are the first point of contact during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. They provide reassurance, direction and critical coordination until help arrives. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and strength they show.”

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