In addition to Augusta National Golf Club’s partnership with Tiger Woods’ non-profit TGR Foundation to renovate ‘The Patch,’ another piece of Monday’s announcement has the potential to reach even more people in Richmond County.
Masters Tournament Chairman Fred Ridley broke the news Monday that Augusta would be the home of the fourth TGR Learning Lab, which focuses on learning experiences for under-resourced students in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) fields.
The idea came about as Ridley and Woods were playing golf ahead of the 2024 Masters Tournament.
“Well, I don’t know if it was a lightbulb moment, but I happened to be playing golf with Tiger about a year ago, a couple weeks before the Masters, and I thought I would mention The Patch Project, which I think we were formally announcing that week at the tournament,” Ridley said.
“He then sort of moved into discussing the big idea of the TGR Learning Lab, which to me is just very exciting. We also recognize the importance of deepening Tiger’s legacy in Augusta and with the Masters, and this we felt was an enduring way that we could be forever connected with Tiger and all he’s done at the Masters and now all that he’s going to be doing in this community.”
Monday weather update: Course closed for the day due to severe weather
Woods wasn’t present for the press conference as he’s still recovering from Achilles’ tendon surgery, but he did relay a video message thanking Augusta National for its support and reiterating his desire to give back to the city of Augusta.
The first TGR Learning Lab opened in Anaheim, Calif., in 2006. A second opened in Philadelphia and the third is in the works for Los Angeles. TGR Learning Lab Augusta will be situated in the Harrisburg neighborhood in the former Lamar Elementary School site. It’s expected to open in 2028.
Programs will be offered throughout the year, including weekends and summers.
With input from the Richmond County Board of Education, Ridley said the location in the heart of the city and its proximity to schools were part of the decision.
“We’ve been extremely grateful for the enthusiasm and the partnership and the cooperation of the school board. The fact that this was a vacant facility obviously made it a great candidate,” he said. “And when you look at its location in the Harrisburg neighborhood, close to Richmond Academy and several other schools, I understand, and then really in direct proximity to the HUB and the Boys & Girls Club that had been a big initiative of ours and others in recent years, it really made a lot of sense because it really needs to be near the people that it’s going to serve.”
The program is free and, as of now, the focus is on Richmond County. More updates will be shared when they become available.
“I would have to defer to the experts when it comes to curriculum and exactly how all that’s going to be implemented. But the idea is that it is free. It is open to many, many ― as we said, potentially 23,000 students,” Ridley said. “It really focuses on three things: academic achievement, health and well-being, and college and career opportunities. So that’s the mission of the Learning Lab. But it will provide many, many people in this area with the opportunities.”
Ridley also left the door open for other organizations to get involved.
“I’m sure others will want to join us in this worthy endeavor,” he said. “Investing in STEAM education for our youth will strengthen our community and drive economic growth. It will spark innovation and deliver a skilled workforce that will serve Augusta for many years to come. These are worthy investments, and TGR Learning Lab Augusta will help make all of this a reality.”
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Tiger Woods, Augusta National Golf Club partner for new Learning Lab
