‘It helps pay bills’: Golf week rentals give a boost to homeowners
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Those who rent out their homes for golf week got a nice income boost during tournament week.
And unlike in previous years, money made this month is helping to make up what many lost to Hurricane Helene.
We followed the journeys of those who are both new and experienced at the endeavor to see how they are feeling now that crowds have left.
Prepping looked different this year, but the stress was still there.
Typically, homeowners would be changing sheets and clearing closets, but instead, they were also repairing their homes. Some getting them finished just in time.
Golf week rewards here to stay for Augusta businesses
Throughout golf week, many of our local businesses told us how incredible it was to see folks from across the globe in Augusta.
“I believe this is our 4th time,” said Liz Skowronski, a homeowner.
As thousands come in for golf week, many locals leave and rent their homes, but this year was different.
“There were some damaged homes, so we had to switch gears and try to get them into a home that they could enjoy that was less damaged,” said Kelly Starr, Corporate Quarters director of operations and events.
However, that didn’t stop homeowners from doing everything they could to rent.
“You maintain your home, you pay for that vacation, and it helps you boost your emergency fund,” said Skowronski. “It helps pay bills.”
Or from visitors coming into town.
Busy skies across the CSRA as patrons return home
After all of the golf week excitement, the skies are busy as everybody returns home.
“I think that ever since Covid, there’s just been a difference since of urgency for people to get here,” said Starr. “We are grateful that we have the Masters, and everybody comes from all over the world.”
And despite the damage, Corporate Quarters says this is one of their best years for rentals.
“Corporate Quarters is so proud of all of our homeowners,” said Starr. “They have worked around the clock since October. Since Helene devastated our city and we tried to make it look as best we could, but obviously things were different. Trees were down, clients were really shocked at what happened, that Augusta was beautiful, and there was a different vibe in the air this year.”
Many even go above and beyond to make their home feel like home to someone else.
“There were trees down, and there were some tarps on roofs, but everybody kept going, and we had a great week, and all of our homeowners and clients were very happy,” said Starr.
Corporate Quarters says it was still renting out homes the Tuesday and Wednesday of Masters week. Even though Masters week just ended, the company is already preparing for next year.
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