Augusta, GA
Kids learn golf skills with Top Golf, First Tee of Augusta partnership
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Top Golf and First Tee of Augusta teamed up on Thursday for Camp “Jain”, which allows kids to swing their clubs and get firsthand experience with the game of golf.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson and other golf influencers are serving as counselors to teach the next generation how to play.
Top Golf was filled with patrons looking for something to do off the course. But on Thursday afternoon, kids got the chance to have their own version of a golf tournament.
“The kids from the local community want to give them a little taste of the Masters a little taste of what goes on at Augusta National. So you’ll see the pimento cheese sandwiches you’ll see the azaleas, just little touches that kind of give them a glimpse into what might happen beyond those gates a couple of miles down the road,” said Connor Smith, Topgolf Director of Entertainment Marketing.
It gave everyone the chance the play and learn about golf, regardless of whether you attended the tournament.
Chris Hvsepian, founder of Jain, said: “It’s not about the golf, it’s about all the play around the golf. And I think that’s what’s making everyone have so much fun. And the parents feel like kids again, and, and the kids just having a good time.”
It’s also another way to give back. For every golf bay reserved this week, they’ll donate $1 towards the First Tee of Augusta.
First Tee Program Director LaShunda Hall said: “We teach life skills, which is just golf as a way to teach it. We even when any from ages seven to 18, they not only get the actual fundamentals, but they learn the etiquette throughout the game, and we teach it on the golf course. So they actually walk away learning how to play golf.”
Organizations like First Tee of Augusta and Camp Jain make impacts on kids that’ll last a lifetime.
“My favorite part was the food and these fun little games we are playing,” Evans Lake, a participant.
They experienced many firsts, such as swinging a golf club, that they hope they get to do again one day.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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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