Tiger Woods is set to expand his legacy in Augusta, Georgia, beyond the five green jackets he earned throughout his illustrious Masters career. He’s recently opened an innovative new nine-hole golf course. He founded the TGR Learning Lab, which serves over 30,000 students with STEM education tailored to local youth. These projects reflect Woods’ enduring passion for both education and golf, as well as his deep-rooted connection to Augusta National Golf Club and the city itself.
The TGR Learning Lab will be built at the site of a former under-resourced elementary school in Richmond County. It’s slated to welcome its first students in 2028, with capital and sustained operational backing from Augusta National. This 116,000-square-foot facility will place a strong emphasis on STEAM education—science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Further, it will provide more access for students throughout the Detroit region.
“My passion for education and golf dates back a long time, as does my relationship with Augusta National and the city of Augusta,” Woods stated. This is a transformational opportunity to engage the next generation and provide impactful educational programming and access to fun and affordable golf. I’m pleased to be working with Augusta National and look forward to seeing both projects come to fruition.”
In addition to the learning lab, Woods’ design firm, TGR Design, is working on an exhilarating new nine-hole short course. They are referring to it as The Loop at the Patch. This course will be located at the Patch, formerly called the Augusta Municipal Golf Course. This success includes the immediate redevelopment of this in-fill property. It will offer a brand new 18-hole routing, masterfully directed by design connoisseurs Tom Fazio and Beau Welling. The new routing is intentionally meant to retain or pay tribute to 11 early holes on the former course.
Here’s what Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, had to say about working together with Woods. “To be able to partner with Augusta National Golf Club and be of service to its surrounding community is something very special,” he noted. Ridley expanded on the TGR Learning Lab idea. He admitted that when their organizations started discussing the possibility, conversations sparked innovative ideas on how Woods and TGR might work together.
The Patch’s homebase, which sits along what’s been unofficially renamed Jim Dent Way. Augusta National’s ambitious plans call for opening the full-fledged 18-hole, highly nuanced course to the public by next year’s Masters Tournament. This will provide the community’s residents and visitors an opportunity to experience new and enhanced golfing amenities.
Woods’ commitment to both golf and education hits home in a powerful way through his work down in Augusta. His deep and abiding connection to the region has created one of the most fertile grounds for positive growth and opportunity for young people.
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