Latest news with #ThePatchProject
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tiger Woods, Augusta National Golf Club partner to build 4th TGR Learning Lab in Augusta
Tiger Woods, Augusta National Golf Club partner to build 4th TGR Learning Lab in Augusta AUGUSTA, Ga. — In addition to Augusta National Golf Club's partnership with Tiger Woods' non-profit TGR Foundation to renovate 'The Patch,' there was another piece of the announcement with the potential to be more wide-reaching. Masters chairman Fred Ridley broke the news Monday that Augusta would be the home of the fourth TGR Learning Lab, which focuses on bring learning experiences to under-resourced students in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) fields. As it turns out, 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.' The first TGR Learning Lab opened in Anaheim, California, in 2006. A second opened in Philadelphia's Cobbs Creek neighborhood, and a 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 sometime in 2028. Programs will be offered throughout the year, including during weekends and summer vacation. With input from the Richmond County Board of Education, Ridley said the location in the heart of Richmond County and its proximity to schools was behind the decision. 'Well, 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 donate and 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.' 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.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Woods teams with Augusta National on course design, school project
A view of a pin flag on course during a practice round prior to the 2025 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club (Richard HEATHCOTE) Five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods will partner with Augusta National Golf Club on a municipal golf course design project and a new TGR Learning Lab school in the tournament's home town, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said Monday. Advertisement With the 89th edition of the Masters set to tee off at Augusta National on Thursday, Ridley announced that the club's renovation of Augusta Municipal Golf Course -- known locally as The Patch -- would include a nine-hole par-three course designed by Woods and his course architecture firm TGR Design. The club will also partner with Woods's charitable foundation to create a TGR Learning Lab school in Augusta, which will be the fourth such facility launched by Woods aimed at providing access to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education for students in under-resourced communities. Woods opened the first Learning Lab in Anaheim, California, in 2006 and the second school opened in Philadelphia this year. Another is slated to open in Los Angeles in 2026 and the Augusta facility is expected to open in 2028. Advertisement Ridley said the partnership evolved after a discussion with Woods about The Patch project during a round of golf. "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. "It was clear when I shared the concept that it sort of piqued his interest, and that was sort of the beginning of a conversation, a dialogue that took place between our organizations, and after that a few meetings took place, and the idea just sort of grew from what we were doing to how Tiger and TGR could be involved. "He then sort of moved into discussing the big idea of the TGR Learning Lab, which to me is just very exciting." Advertisement Ridley said the short course that Woods will design will be called The Loop at The Patch in a nod to "caddies who have used the course as a gathering spot for decades." - Injury setback - While Augusta National has a become a byword for exclusivity, Ridley said the club is determined that the renovated municipal course, including The Loop, will remain affordable and accessible to local golfers. Woods's role in that project and in bringing the Learning Lab to Augusta is a way of "deepening Tiger's legacy in Augusta and with the Masters," Ridley said. Woods himself did not attend the announcement as originally intended. The 15-time major champion revealed in March that he had undergone surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon. Advertisement The injury derailed the 49-year-old superstar's latest bid to return from injury. He hasn't teed it up in a tournament since the Open Championship last July and had back surgery in September. He had planned to play in the Genesis Invitational in February, but withdrew in the wake of his mother's death. Woods has nevertheless remained a presence in the game. He hosted his World Challenge in December, played alongside his son, Charlie, in the PNC family tournament that month and has seen TGL, the simulator league he launched with Rory McIlroy, get off the ground this year. bb/js
