Augusta, GA
Saudi golf backer sought Augusta National membership in LIV deal
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta National Golf Club was brought up this week at the Capitol Hill hearing on the controversial merger between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Documents released by a Senate subcommittee show the head of the Saudi investment fund wanted a membership at Augusta National as part of the deal.
The documents also claim he wanted a membership from the organizers of the British Open, as well.
So far, Augusta National Golf Club has not commented.
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Meanwhile, lawmakers will continue looking into the merger.
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has agreed to invest more than $1 billion in the new commercial entity controlled by the PGA Tour, a tour executive told Congress on Tuesday.
And Greg Norman will be ousted as the CEO of LIV Golf if the business deal between the Saudis and the tour is finalized,
The agreement between the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the primary funder of LIV Golf, and the PGA Tour shocked the golf world when it was announced last month.
There was no indication during Tuesday’s hearing that Congress would block the tour from going into business with the Saudis.
The subcommittee chairman, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he was troubled by the geopolitical implications of Saudi investment in American sports and efforts by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi leader, to whitewash the kingdom’s human rights abuses.
However, Republicans on the committee were more sympathetic to the PGA Tour and the existential threat it faced from the PIF, which controls $600 billion in assets — roughly 500 times what the tour is worth.
“We’re here because we’re concerned about what it means for an authoritarian government to use its wealth to capture an American institution,” Blumenthal said.
The PGA Tour and the Saudis announced on June 6 that they agreed to drop all lawsuits against each other and combine their commercial interests into a new for-profit company while maintaining the tour’s nonprofit status. Asked by Blumenthal how much money the Saudis have committed to the new venture, Ron Price, the PGA Tour’s chief operating officer, testified the amount was “north of $1 billion.”
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Barry Charles Robinette Obituary 2024 – Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest on Monday, December 23, 2024, Barry Charles Robinette, 73, loving husband of 35 years to Gina S. Robinette.
Barry was a lifelong native of Augusta, Georgia. He retired from the Bank of America and was currently working at Trenton Correctional Institute for the last13 years. He was active in his church, Abilene Baptist. He loved to spend time with his family. They loved to celebrate life together, and they loved their Lord. He was a good,good husband, daddy, and brother. He gave 100%and more to faithfully leading his family in the love of Jesus Christ, their Savior. He will be forever cherished and always loved. Barry is praising his Savior and waiting for the day that we will join him.
Family members in addition to his wife, include his children: Heather Robinette and Charles Robinette; sister: Shirley Weathers (Michael). He was preceded in death by his parents and Fred and Helen Robinette.
The funeral service will be held Friday, December 27, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Rev. Terry Doss officiating. Interment will be private.
The Robinette family is so thankful for the support they have received from Abilene Baptist Church, specifically their Sunday School class. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in memory of Barry Robinette to Abilene Baptist Church, 3917 Washington Road, Martinez, GA 30907.
The family will receive friends Friday, at 10 AM at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
Augusta, GA
Foster with Augusta shelter and give a pet a home for Christmas
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – If getting a pet for Christmas wasn’t on your to-do list, think again.
Augusta Animal Services has the chance for you to “test run” a pet this week as part of their Home for the Holidays program.
You get to foster a pet, with all the food and supplies you need provided for you and in return, a dog or cat gets to spend the holiday outside the shelter.
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Augusta Animal Services says they struggle with overcapacity almost all year round so events like Home for the Holidays are crucial.
“We have really high hopes for it, we always do,” said Rebecca Reece, Augusta Animal Services outreach coordinator.
It’s an event the shelter depends on.
“Home for the Holidays is one of our favorite programs,” said Reece. “We do it every year for Thanksgiving and for Christmas.”
The goal is for animals to find a home where they can spend lots of future holidays.
“We have a pretty good rate of people who take their dogs home for the holidays, deciding to keep them which is something we love having happen,” said Reece.
But adoption isn’t a requirement. They say taking them home even just for a little bit can help.
“It helps get the dogs out into a home environment over the holidays,” she said.
Which in turn, makes them more adoptable.
“It still helps us get a lot of vital notes about how the dogs do in the home environment, which helps future adopters,” said Reece. “It also helps the dogs to just enjoy themselves for a while. It means they’re not in the kennel.”
And they say they are there to help you through the process.
“You can always just come in and let us know if you’re looking for a dog or if you’re looking for a cat,” she said.
They say they’ll do their best to make sure both you and the animal are comfortable.
“We’ll talk to you a little bit about your home, what you’re looking for, whether you have any animals in the home already, and we’ll give you some suggestions of dogs you might like,” said Reece.
If you decide to add a furry friend to your holiday fun, they will give you everything you need to get started.
“The leash and some food. Some minor supplies,” said Reece. “Almost like a gift bag to make it easier for you.”
Augusta Animal Services says even though the shelter is closed on Tuesday, they will still have the event from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m
If you decide to return your foster animal, you can do that between Jan. 2 and 3 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
If you do adopt that animal, your adoption fee is waived.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Masters adds 10 to field, including Lucas Glover, Justin Rose
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