The city of Augusta is ready to celebrate the crowds, the blooming azaleas, the aromas of springtime and the anticipated twists and turns of tournament play at the 89th annual Masters Tournament.
Looking around at the city, little remains of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a storm that was unlike anything Augusta has ever experienced. No sooner than the storm passed overhead, Augusta went to work rebuilding.
This is largely due to the new leadership, both on our Augusta Commission and at the executive levels of government.
The only thing that has put a pause on the Masters in the past was the onset of World War II, the Covid pandemic only caused a postponement of the world-famous tournament; this year, officials on and off the grounds of Augusta National were determined not to let a hurricane put a damper on the festivities.
In the recent past, which we locals call the ‘malaise era’ in Augusta, officials would have simply thrown their hands up in despair, but the leadership team headed by Mayor Garnett Johnson, made it a priority that Augusta would be ready to accommodate the throngs of golf fans in the style and fashion of which they are accustomed.
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Crews worked around the clock to remove tons of debris and replace traffic infrastructure destroyed in the storm.
Visitors to Augusta this year might notice a little extra pep in the step of the locals, who are proud to show off our unique Southern town, which, for well over a century, has been praised across the country for its hospitality and friendliness.
Both former Presidents William Howard Taft and Dwight Eisenhower cherished their time in Augusta, and their love of the city shows up in the writings they left behind. To them, Augusta was the polar opposite of the polarizing Washington, D.C.
We hope our visitors will take a bit of time to venture outside of the National Hills area and experience some of the great local businesses the Garden City has to offer, especially the locally-owned restaurants downtown and scattered up and down Washington Road.
Welcome to our visitors, golf patrons, players and Masters 2025!
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