AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta is still preparing a plan on how to part ways with nine parks a local engineering firm scored as the most underused.

“Moving forward what we need to do with these parks. We’ve got people in this city that have mentioned and want to invest in purchasing these parks,” says Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.  

Big Oak Park is not one of the nine being recommended for disposal, even though it scored lower than some on the list. However, Big Oak is getting a facelift.

“Adding pickleball courts, which everybody wants, and a new basketball area. I think it will be used a lot more,” said Commissioner Tina Slendak.

A commission committee voted to recommend nearly $1.7 million on the Big Oak renovations, despite the low attendance score and that’s concerning some commissioners.

“You have to consider the lipstick on the pig scenario. If you put money into that and you have no indication that it will draw, and that is exactly what you’ll be doing,” said Commissioner Lonnie Wimberly.

Supporters say voters approved the funding for Big Oak improvements in SPLOST 8  that passed back in 2021, and even with the renovations coming in well over budget, they want to see it go forward.

“When this park is re-done, it will be used more and it already was, before this survey was done this was already in the SPLOST package,” said Commissioner Rice.

“When this was developed, they weren’t talking about closing underused parks,” said Commissioner Slendak.

But the conversation around closing underused parks continues, even as some underused parks prepare for a major makeover. 

Sergio Garcia apologized Tuesday for his tantrum during the final round of the Masters when he tore up the turf after a bad drive on the second hole and then broke his driver against a bench.

Geoff Yang, chairman of the Masters competitions committee, issued a code-of-conduct warning to the Garcia on the fourth tee. The conduct policy was new to the Masters this year.

“I want to apologize for my actions Sunday at The Masters tournament,” Garcia said in a social media post. “I respect and value everything that The Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to golf. I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for The Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.”

Garcia, the 2017 champion, began with a bogey and then hit a weak fade on the par-5 second hole that was headed to the bunker. He recoiled his driver onto the tee, and then turned and slammed his club into the turf.

Without repairing the damage, Garcia then smacked his driver against a wooden bench holding a water cooler, and the head of the club was left dangling from the shaft.

Garcia declined to discuss what was said by the official, saying after his round, “I’m not going to tell you.” When asked about it again he replied, ”Next question.”

He also did not apologize for his behavior after his closing 75 to finish in 52nd place among the 54 players who made the cut.

“Just obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens,” Garcia said.

Garcia has not finished in the top 10 in the 29 majors he has played since beating Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta National in 2017. He has missed the cut six times in eight appearances at the Masters since winning.

Asked about his record, Garcia said, “Bad golf.” When a reporter asked him to be more specific, Garcia said, “Bad shots.”

Garcia was disqualified in 2019 at the Saudi International for damaging greens in frustration. His antics over the years include angrily kicking off his shoe when he slipped during a tee shot at the World Match Play in 2001, and the shoe nearly struck an official.

He also spit into a cup during a World Golf Championship at Doral after three-putting.

The PGA Tour has been developing the code-of-conduct policy the last few years, and the Masters was the first tournament to put it into effect. The PGA Championship also be using it next month at Aronimink Golf Club.

After the warning, a second violation during the tournament is a two-shot penalty, while a third violation would mean disqualification.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Brooks Koepka was one of several high finishers at the 2026 Masters to enjoy a boost up the Official World Golf Ranking on Monday.

Fresh off a tie for 12th at Augusta National Golf Club, Koepka vaulted 40 spots to No. 129. He has now climbed 126 spots since before his return to the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open in February.

Since he is currently ineligible to play in signature events, the four majors and the Players are important for Koepka. He rose 48 spots after a tie for 13th at TPC Sawgrass the week after a 47-point jump with a tie for ninth at the Cognizant Classic.

While playing for LIV Golf, Koepka’s ranking had plummeted to No. 425 ahead of last year’s U.S. Open.

He was one of several players to enjoy significant boosts from a strong Masters finish.

LIV’s Tyrrell Hatton, who rallied for a tie for third at Augusta and was the league’s only player to finish under par, rose eight spots to No. 23. LIV colleague Dustin Johnson did rise from No. 593 to No. 456 with his even-par finish for a tie at 33rd, while fellow former world No. 1 Jon Rahm actually dropped a spot to No. 31 with his tied for 38 effort.

The top three in the rankings remained unchanged, with Masters champion Rory McIlroy remaining No. 2 behind Scottie Scheffler and one ahead of Cameron Young, who played in the final group Sunday with McIlroy. Young ultimately finished tied for third along with Justin Rose, who climbed to No. 4 ahead of Tommy Fleetwood.

Russell Henley used his spot in that group that tied for third to vault six spots to No. 6.

Another big mover was Jake Knapp. The 31-year-old moved into the top 50 during the final week in the eligibility window to qualify for his second Masters. He then secured a ticket back to Augusta National next year with an 11th-place finish that also pushed him from No. 42 to a career-best 36th in the world rankings.

Max Homa also secured a spot in the 2027 Masters field with his tie for ninth that elevated the former United States Ryder Cup member 46 spots to No. 117.

Among those going in the opposite direction was J.J. Spaun. Coming off a victory the previous week, Spaun missed the cut at Augusta National to drop five spots to No. 10.

Bryson DeChambeau’s triple-bogey finish that cost him a chance to play the weekend didn’t hurt him much in the rankings. He fell only one spot to No. 25 on the heels of winning consecutive events on the LIV Golf circuit.

The OWGR figures to see significant movement again next week following the signature event at the RBC Heritage.