Locals say they’re excited about the status of golf in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Golf is continuing to grow, but is our area able to keep up with the growth and adapt to the game?

Recent announcements give a good outlook on what’s to come with the Patch being revamped to become a hub for junior and high school golf.

Andre Lacey II helps teach kids the game of golf through the junior PGA program. He also coaches at Paine College.

“It’s a sense of accomplishment. Golf is a hard game and to accomplish one shot you get some pure joy moments out of helping them succeed at a task,” said Lacey.

Friday morning’s task was to help get kids out of the bunker.

He says it’s crucial to help grow the game with kids. He says the trick is to get younger coaches to help with the generational gap, which he does by allowing players from Paine’s team to help coach.

“Just like we’re trying to expose the kids, we’re gonna expose college students to grow the game. So they’re gonna be much more connected to the younger generation. I’m just ing it down and down and that’s what we have to do better,” said Lacey.

He sees the game growing and reaching more areas.

“Golf is becoming very diverse,” he said.

Devarion Blount just got his first set of clubs as an adult, which then made his 6-year-old daughter, Azorah, want to play.

“Her first few swings were about what we think they’re going to be. And then she connected the first time, then she connected the second time,” said Blount.

Lacey helps coach both of them now.

Local opportunities get Devarion excited as a dad with the Paine College women’s golf team winning a national championship after recently getting a program.

“The opportunities for myself, but for my daughter and my entire family to come out here and enjoy something that’ll probably multiply throughout the next few years is something that keeps us here in Augusta,” said Blount.

Lacey says if anyone gets inspired by the Masters, he encourages them to give golf a chance and not to be afraid to try it out.

He says he helps coach anyone, and there are scholarships available. Click here to him.

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