Augusta, GA
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.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Shoppers in Augusta will soon lose a longtime retail option, as Lane Bryant’s store inside Augusta Mall is set to close for good this weekend.
Employees at Lane Bryant inside Augusta Mall confirmed that the store will permanently close starting Sunday, April 19.
After the closure, the nearest Lane Bryant location for customers will be in Lexington.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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