Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson made a push for regional unity at his inaugural Mayor’s Masters Reception.
Johnson, who said he intended to make the most of the annual event, invited the mayors of Aiken and North Augusta and the chairman of the Columbia County Commission to lead recognitions of two golf greats and two area championship basketball teams.
“’It’s truly an honor to have you here sir,” Johnson said, introducing 2016 Masters Tournament champion Danny Willett to a crowd of several hundred at the Augusta Common. “Thank you for your commitment to the game of golf. Thank you for your commitment to be here today.”
Willett is the first champion in a decade to appear at the reception, which former Mayor Bob Young founded in 1999 as a way for locals to mingle with golf greats. Asked to speak, the English golfer was taken aback by the size of the crowd.
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- Eric Mayweather performs during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Carmen, Sharon and Mary of Augusta enjoy the festivities during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- AE The Cool performs during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson presents award to former Senior Masters Tournament Director Buzzy Johnson during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson addresses the crowd during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon addresses the crowd during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils perform during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Food trucks filled the Augusta Common during the Mayor’s Masters Reception April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Fireworks Show by Pyro Shows East Coast and Windsors Jewelers at The Augusta Mayor’s Masters Reception April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- The crowd enjoys the live entertainment during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson addresses the crowd during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson presents key to the city to 2016 Masters Champion Danny Willett during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson addresses the crowd during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Easily Amused performs during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- TreSounds performs during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams addresses the crowd during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Columbia County Chairman Doug Duncan addresses the crowd during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- The crowd enjoys the live entertainment during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils perform during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson, Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon, North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams, and Columbia County Chairman Doug Duncan attend the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson addresses the crowd during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Easily Amused performs during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
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- Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson addresses the crowd during the Mayor’s Masters Reception at the Augusta Common April 2, 2023. Photo by Sanjeev Singhal
“I didn’t realize there was going to be this many people here,” Willett said, thanking Johnson for the honor. “I think we’re going to have a great week and I’ll see you soon.”
Johnson presented longtime Masters Tournament Senior Director Walter “Buzzy” Johnson with an inaugural mayor’s community service award.
“Today is special, in that we get to honor an Augustan. A man that for many years chose to fly under the radar, even though he contributed so much,” the mayor said of Buzzy Johnson.
“If there’s a single person in this community that’s had an impact on economic development, it’s been you,” said Doug Duncan, the chairman of the Columbia County Commission, of Buzzy Johnson. “I realize that you like to be behind the scenes, but the reality is, a lot of people in this crowd have jobs because of things that you did.”
Johnson, for more than 30 years the tournament director, said he appreciated the honor.
“I was very much surprised by this. I’m not used to being out front on anything, Mr. Mayor,” he said. “Just being a local here, I was fortunate to be able to be put in a position where I could do some good.”
Duncan also called for a round of applause for Garnett Johnson. “What a great mayor you have. He’s reaching out across all spectrums,” Duncan said.
“The mayor has a vision for regional success,” Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon said. “We all know that as the creek rises, all boats rise. He has that vision and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
