Columbia County prepares as patrons arrive ahead of golf week

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - With the Augusta National Women’s Amateur officially teeing off on Wednesday, it’s all hands on deck in Columbia County to accommodate the patrons arriving in town.

Columbia County Traffic Engineering and Operations doesn’t expect any big all-day delays due to patrons. The big reason is that there is a bus drop-off service. The bigger impact will be at the restaurants.

Azaleas in full bloom are more than a sign that spring is here. It’s a sign the world is here.

“I think it’s exciting to have people from all over come to our area,” said Diane Edwards, a Columbia County resident.

The world’s most elite golf week got a lot longer and bigger.

“Staffed up, prepped up,” said Aaron Swarmer, co-general manager of Smoke and Barrels.

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Six years ago–

“Our staff is brand new, this is their first Augusta National Women’s Amateur, their first Masters, everyone is excited,” said Swarmer. “With our proximity to women’s amateur, it makes it an extended Masters for us. It’s not just five days, it’s two weeks. "

Or as those in the restaurant business around here call it, the 13th month.

Traffic operations says they are geared up and rested up, too.

“I’ll have someone here at seven in the morning to monitor intersections in that area, and we will stay until six in the evening,” said Randy Prickett, manager at Columbia County Traffic Engineering and Operations.

It’s an extra precaution Prickett takes during the first two weeks of April.

“We are fortunate with our system here,” said Prickett. “It’s adaptive, it will work to alleviate that traffic on its own.”

And if the system happens to go down –

“We are fortunate that with every signal we have, we can remotely work it from here,” said Prickett.

His staff can get the job done old-school style. And one person can work multiple systems by themselves.

From the traffic on the streets to the traffic in the restaurants–

“It’s a really cool community, I think everyone gets along, it’s a great vibe,” said Edwards.

Columbia County’s finest are ready for it.

A shuttle will be available at Grace Baptist Church to drop patrons off on Wednesday beginning at 7 a.m.

As far as the big road construction going on in Columbia County, GDOT will put it on hold beginning Wednesday.

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