Augusta, GA
Augusta National Women’s Amateur golfer plays for a bigger purpose
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The bags at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur have their own personality.
But one stands out when it’s made to blend in.
Rachel Heck is playing in her fourth tournament. However, it’s her first spotting the colors she’s worked toward for the last four years.
“I did ROTC all throughout college, started ROTC my freshman year, and then commissioned as a second lieutenant last June,” said Heck. “I’ve been in the reserves since then.”
She may be one of eight golfers from Stanford playing, but her team outside of her 9 to 5 is the stars and stripes.
“Golf is so individual, and I really wanted something that was a total opposite,” said Heck. “I wanted to be a small part of something so much bigger.”
It’s the first event she’s been able to play as an officer.
“I had a lot of military folks, you know, yelling, ‘go Air Force, go Army, go whatever,’” said Heck. “There was actually a girl who’s an ROTC cadet at Alabama, I met her today, she drove to watch me play, and it’s just so cool to have that support.”
On the course or off it, it’ll always be a game of perspective.
“It’s just, you know, when things are tough out there, when I get frustrated, I remember what I’m a part of,” said Heck.
This is Heck’s final Augusta National Women’s Amateur Tournament.

It’s hard not to think of them as anything but competitive golfers, but when you hear some of their stories, it makes you appreciate everything it took for them to get to this moment.
Winning the tournament is at the top of the list for everyone in this field, but at the end of the day, this has got to be one of the biggest highlights of each of their young careers.
It’s only going to get better from here.
The third and final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur will take place Saturday at Augusta National Golf Club.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
AU’s Healthy Grandparents program holds Christmas party
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University’s Healthy Grandparents program had its Christmas party Sunday.
Santa is continuing his trip across the csra and was at the party to give presents to the kids.
The program was started in 1999 to support grandparents raising their children.
They help with necessary services like food assistance and transportation.
We spoke with one of the grandparents about the program.
“My grandchildren love it. They do a lot of things going on the year, like summer camp and all that stuff, book bag, getaways,” said Carolyn Thompson.
The program has helped more than 660 families, 900 grandparents, and 1,300 grandchildren.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Men Drop Overtime Thriller to Georgia College and State – Augusta University
Augusta, Ga. – In a game that saw 19 lead changes, Georgia College and State prevailed over Augusta 99-91 in overtime Saturday at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jaguars fall to 2-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 6-7 overall. The Bobcats are now 3-0 in conference play and 6-2 overall.
C.J. Jones of GCSU was the star of this one as he poured in 42 points to lead all scorers and also grabbed eight rebounds in the win.
The Jaguars fell behind midway through the second half, but with just one second left in regulation, T.J. Baker hit a three-pointer to send the game into overtime. But in the extra period, GCSU outscored AU 18-10 for the winning margin.
Luis Nonfon, who had another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, started the scoring in overtime and gave the Jags the 83-81 lead. GCSU then rattled off five straight points to take the lead, one they would not surrender.
The Jaguars had five players in double figures led by Elías Pálsson who tallied 22 points while grabbing eight rebounds. T.J. Baker and Tobias Prall each had 18 points while Charlie McBeath scored 13.
Augusta hit on just 35% of their shots from the field while GCSU hit on 52.5%. The Bobcats outscored Augusta 46-22 in the paint and went 8-18 from three-point range while Augusta finished 10 of 29 from deep. From the foul line, both teams went 29-36.
Other than Nonfon grabbing double figures in rebounds, Pálsson eight rebounds and was a perfect 12-12 from the foul line.
Next up for the Jaguars will be a battle with Reinhardt University on Thursday at 11 a.m., part of Columbia County Education Day.
Augusta, GA
Richmond County deputies searching for suspect after armed robbery on Wheeler Road
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County started a search for an armed robbery suspect Saturday evening.
They started the search on the 3700 block of Wheeler Road after an alleged armed robbery at an SRP ATM.
The suspect is described as a 40-year-old black male, wearing all black, a face mask and a camouflage jacket.
The suspect fled the area on foot in an unknown direction.
The sheriff’s office used K9 Units, along with the drone unit, to search.
This investigation is in its early stages, and no further information is available at this time.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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