Augusta, GA
ARC’s Beman headlines CSRA field at Georgia Amateur
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A strong CSRA contingent is set to tee it up this week at Ocean Forest (Sea Island) for the 105th Georgia Amateur Championship, with Richmond Academy’s McKnight Beman is making his first start in the event after qualifying with a standout round.
Beman secured his spot at Bartram Trail, where he shot a 69 and finished tied third in qualifying.
“It was really exciting,” Beman said. “It was one of my main goals this year. It was great to accomplish that already and get some experience with some of the top amateurs in the state of Georgia.”
Local list: CSRA representation at the Georgia Amateur
Golfers from the area expected in the field include:
- Lucas Hopkins (Thomson)
- MacGregor Thompson (Augusta)
- McKnight Beman (Augusta)
- Kipp Madison (Augusta)
- Colten Lewis (Swainsboro)
- Austin Vick (Evans)
- Cody Shafer (Evans)
- Bo Blanchard (Augusta University, defending champion)
One notable name not playing: Hamilton Coleman is listed as exempt, but is opting out with the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills coming next week.
Beman paired with Madison in opening rounds
Beman won’t be going it alone early. He said he will be paired with local Kipp Madison in the first two rounds, adding a familiar face as he steps into a field that often includes players decades older.
Beman said he’s comfortable in that environment.
“Not really,” Beman said when asked if it’s intimidating to play against older amateurs. “I played with so many older people through the years. I just like meeting new people and I think it’s a great opportunity to grow.”
Beman also pointed to the value of relationships and exposure the tournament can provide.
“The state amateur allows me to grow relationships with maybe older people that have bigger connections with college coaches,” he said. “It gives me a shot at the U.S. Am if I were to win.”
Ocean Forest test: “play the course”
The championship will be contested at Ocean Forest (on Sea Island), and Beman said he’s expecting the conditions—especially the wind—to be a major factor.
“It’s going to be windy so I’m just going to be working on not playing my game—playing the course,” Beman said. “I just got to stick to my process and not let anything affect me.”
“I’m not going to let how I’m hitting dictate how I play. I’m just going to go out there and show confidence and be determined to win.”
Defending champ Bo Blanchard expected to play
Defending champion Bo Blanchard is expected in the field, adding another high-end benchmark for the local golfers chasing the title.
History: Richmond Academy and Augusta winners
The Georgia Amateur has deep local history:
- The last Richmond Academy golfer to win the event was Randy Strozier (1969).
- The last Augusta golfer to win was Augusta Prep’s Lee Knox (2012) — and Knox won the Georgia Amateur twice over a three-year span.
What’s on the line: trophy, medal, and major exemptions
Beyond state bragging rights, the prize package is one of the most coveted in amateur golf.
The Georgia Amateur champion earns:
- The Robert H. Martin Trophy (with the champion’s name engraved on the historic trophy)
- An exemption into that year’s U.S. Amateur Championship
- An exemption into the Jones Cup Invitational
Past winners engraved on the Robert H. Martin Trophy include Bobby Jones.
For Beman—entering the tournament as a first-timer—those rewards are part of what makes the week so meaningful.
“I know it’s a big tournament so I just got to stick to my process,” Beman said. “I have to be straightforward with myself.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Volleyball Announces 2026 Schedule, Promotional Calendar – Augusta University
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University volleyball has announced its 2026 schedule, featuring 30 regular-season matches and 10 home contests inside Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The reigning 2025 Peach Belt Conference regular-season champions open the season Aug. 28-29 at the Emmanuel Tournament in Franklin Springs, Ga., before returning home Sept. 4-5 to co-host the Augusta/USC Aiken Tournament. Augusta then travels to Clinton, Miss., for the annual Peach Belt Conference/Gulf South Conference Crossover before opening Peach Belt Conference play Sept. 17 against Middle Georgia at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
Following an eight-match road swing through late September and October, the Jaguars return home for their final four regular-season contests, hosting Francis Marion, Flagler and rival USC Aiken. The 2026 Peach Belt Conference Tournament begins Nov. 12.
Tickets are available now. Don’t miss your chance to watch the reigning Peach Belt Conference regular-season champions in action at Christenberry Fieldhouse this fall.
BUY TICKETS
In conjunction with the schedule release, Augusta Athletics has also announced its promotional schedule for the 2026 home season.
2026 Promotional Schedule
Friday, Sept. 4 – vs. Lee (12:00 p.m.) & North Greenville (5:00 p.m.)
Parents Weekend
Join us as we welcome Jaguar families to campus for opening weekend.
Thursday, Sept. 17 – vs. Middle Georgia (6:00 p.m.)
Student Appreciation
Augusta University students are encouraged to pack Christenberry Fieldhouse for the conference home opener.
Saturday, Sept. 19 – vs. Georgia College (3:00 p.m.)
CSRA Club Volleyball Day
Local club volleyball teams are invited to attend and be recognized throughout the match.
Tuesday, Sept. 22 – vs. Lander (6:00 p.m.)
Coats & Scrubs Night
Medical students and healthcare professionals are invited to wear their scrubs and support the Jaguars.
Tuesday, Oct. 20 – vs. Francis Marion (6:00 p.m.)
Here to Win – Cancer Awareness Game
Augusta Athletics and the Georgia Cancer Center continue the “Here to Win” campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and support patients. Fans are encouraged to wear pink.
Friday, Oct. 23 – vs. Flagler (6:00 p.m.)
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night
A special night recognizing Augusta University’s faculty and staff.
Saturday, Oct. 24 – vs. Flagler (1:00 p.m.)
Halloween Game
Fans are encouraged to wear costumes while cheering on the Jaguars.
Friday, Nov. 6 – vs. USC Aiken (6:00 p.m.)
Greek Night
Augusta University’s fraternities and sororities are invited to attend and show their Jaguar pride.
Saturday, Nov. 7 – vs. USC Aiken (3:00 p.m.)
Senior Night
Help us recognize the Jaguars’ senior class before the final regular-season home match.
Augusta, GA
Cushman & Wakefield Brokers $87M Sale of Apartment Community in Augusta
AUGUSTA, GA. — Cushman & Wakefield has brokered the $87 million sale of Mason Augusta, a 462-unit apartment community located at 101 Pine Forest Road in Augusta. Taylor Bird, Robert Stickel, Alex Brown, Nelson Abels and Laura Aylor of Cushman & Wakefield’s Sunbelt Multifamily Advisory Group represented the seller, Waypoint Residential, in the transaction. The buyer was Southwood Realty Co.
Mason Augusta was developed in two phases in 2022 and 2024 and was 95 percent occupied at the time of sale. The property includes a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 685 to 1,321 square feet, as well as a fitness center with yoga and spin studio, resort-style pools with sundecks and tanning ledges, clubhouse with e-lounge and coffee bar, game room, business center and a dining and lounge terrace with outdoor fireplace.
Other amenities at Mason Augusta include an automated parcel system, dog park and indoor pet spa, garages and outdoor gathering spaces with grilling kitchens and fire pits.
Augusta, GA
Crews battle fire along Boy Scout Road
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Fire Department responded to a fire on the 200 block of Boy Scout Road Sunday afternoon, officials say.
Officials on the scene said they are no reported injuries and that there were six buildings impacted by the fire.
According to our crews, the buildings look to be a part of the Ventana Townhomes.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office shut down portions of Boy Scout Road between Skinner Mill Road and Commons Boulevard while crews battled the fire.
Dispatchers said they started receiving calls about the fire around 2:34 p.m.
We are working to learn the cause.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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