Masters notes: Augusta National, partners make $10 million contribution to community

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley.

Credit: Photo courtesy of Augusta National Golf Club

Credit: Photo courtesy of Augusta National Golf Club

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley.

Augusta National Golf Club, along with AT&T, Bank of America and IBM, will make a combined contribution of $10 million to spur redevelopment of the Augusta community, chairman Fred Ridley announced Wednesday. The gift will focus on the Harrisburg and Laney Walker neighborhoods.

The money will support the ongoing efforts led by the Medical College of Georgia Foundation, the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and the Boys & Girls Club of the CSRA. The four $2.5 million donations will provide the majority of funding for the first phase of a project, which includes the construction of an innovative community center and a new headquarters for the Boys & Girls Club.

“This contribution reaffirms our commitment to the City of Augusta, which has so generously supported us for decades,” Ridley said.

When complete, the community center will also offer residents access to quality healthcare, a literacy center, educational support through mentoring and future workforce development and food and nutrition programs.

The funds will be managed through the Community Foundation. A date for groundbreaking is still to be determined but ideally by April 2021.

“And as our excitement for this initiative grows, please know we cannot wait to find other meaningful ways to support our community,” Ridley added.

Woods hosts Champions Dinner for fifth time

It’s official now.

Tiger Woods is about to defend his Masters title.

Woods hosted the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night, the traditional gathering of past champions before the start of the tournament. It was the fifth time Woods has hosted the dinner — including choosing the menu — after his dramatic win last year.

The menu consisted of The Augusta Roll, sushi with tempura shrimp and spicy tuna, prime steak and chicken fajitas and a dessert trio.

According to a signed menu released by the Masters, 26 of the 33 previous champions attended the dinner along with Ridley.

Weather

Here is the latest weather report for Augusta and the Masters.

Thursday: 80% chance of rain and isolated thunderstorms through 1 p.m. with shower chances diminishing to 50%. Heavy rain possible at times. Rainfall: 0.75-1.25 inches. High 79 degrees, low 72 degrees. Winds SSW 5-10 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny with a 30% chance of a.m. showers and becoming dry and mostly sunny in the afternoon. Rainfall: Less than 0.10 inches. High 79, low 66. Winds: NNW 5-10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and cooler. High 70, low 58. Winds: NE shifting E 6-12 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 76, low 56. Winds: SW 5-10 mph.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will continue its full coverage of the Masters. Check back throughout the day for updates to this story and additional news, features and photos.