North Augusta just 1 month away from hosting Peach Jam
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Under a month from now, downtown North Augusta will be everywhere you look.
There will be basketballs, jerseys and NBA players as Peach Jam makes its return July 12-21.
The event is expanded this year.
Dads, kids enjoy family time during church’s hoops event
At Good Shepherd Baptist Church, fathers and families were able to participate in a Father’s and Family Hoops Day event on Saturday.
“They’ll have play-in games on Friday and the tournament will actually start July 13,” said Rick Meyer, Director of North Augusta’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Meyer believes the EYBL circuit is trying to make it more beneficial to the athletes.
“One of the changes they’ve made is trying to reduce the number of games these athletes play,” he said.
The event generates millions for the local economy. Meyer estimates that this year could bring in $8 million to $10 million.
Champions crowned at 14th annual Vaughn Taylor Championship
This is the second year the Vaughn Taylor Championship has been held at Bartram Trail Golf Club.
“It’s kind of like a Fenway Park type atmosphere where Fenway Park is not the largest stadium in Major League Baseball, but it’s one of the most famous and that’s the way the players look at the peach jam they want to play where the players before them have participated. So having people selling out is a good thing,” said Meyer.
While it continues to grow in almost every facet — expanded dates, teams and onlookers — a gym expansion will have to wait.
“At this point for expanding, you know, our master plan will still show a gem seven and eight. We just do not have the resources at present to figure out how to do that. With the way this tournament is growing, I think eventually gym seven and eight could be necessary for it to continue to go forward,” said Meyer.
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