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.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Regional Airport hosts drone camp for students
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Dream Center sees surge in families needing food as summer begins
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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