CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF "THE PATCH"

CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF "THE PATCH"

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 60 (Monday, March 30, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 60 (Monday, March 30, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E292] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF ``THE PATCH'' _____ HON. RICK W. ALLEN of georgia in the house of representatives Monday, March 30, 2026 Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and celebrate the long- awaited reopening of Augusta, Georgia's premier Municipal Golf Course-- otherwise known as ``the Patch,'' which was recently renovated with the help of golf legends Tom Fazio, Beau Welling, and Tiger Woods--three world-class golf course architects. ``The Patch'' has been ingrained into the fabric of our local community since 1928. In the early 1900s, the popularity of the game of golf was quickly on the rise in Augusta, and it was the establishment of ``the Patch'' that made the game accessible for locals and visitors of all ages and backgrounds--fostering growth of the game for future generations. In 1999, ground was broken on the construction of a new First Tee of Augusta facility which still operates at ``the Patch'' today. This longstanding mission is one that our community continues to embrace--growing the game of golf and the values it instills in all who play. Together, ``the Patch,'' Masters Tournament Charities, Augusta Technical College, the First Tee of Augusta, and the City of Augusta have all collaborated to create some of the best public golf facilities in the country--contributing to Augusta's known reputation as the crown jewel of this sport. Beyond the game of golf, ``the Patch'' will serve as a catalyst for community renewal through job training at Augusta Tech's agronomy center. It will help rescue underserved youth through the First Tee of Augusta, and as it did in its early days, it will continue to offer a community clubhouse and gathering place for neighbors to enjoy. My wife Robin and I are proud supporters of this transformational initiative and look forward to its positive impact on our community, the game of golf, and the next generation. We congratulate Chairman Fred Ridley, Members and Staff of Augusta National Golf Club, Mayor Garnett Johnson, the Augusta Commission, and Randy Hatcher, outgoing Chairman of the Augusta Technical College Foundation, for their tireless work to make this project a reality. ____________________