Beyond the Green Jacket: How The Masters is Building a Legacy of Impact
It’s the first full week of April, and that can only mean one thing, it’s Masters week! One of golf’s most iconic tournaments returns once again to the hallowed grounds of Augusta National. While the grounds crew works tirelessly to perfect the azaleas, trim the towering pines, and maintain the pristine flowering dogwoods, several questions linger: Will Scottie Scheffler claim his third green jacket? Can Rory McIlroy finally capture the elusive Major missing from his resume?
While those storylines remain to be answered, one thing is certain, Augusta National and the Masters are leaning into purpose-driven initiatives to help move the tournament forward. Here are some of the meaningful ways the course and the event are making an impact, all while continuing to deliver one of the most memorable experiences in the world of sport.
Augusta National Women’s Amateur
This past weekend, Augusta National kicked off a packed April schedule with the conclusion of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA). Now in its sixth edition, the tournament crowned a new champion on Saturday, Spanish standout and Kansas State University golfer Carla Bernat Escuder.
The ANWA is a 54-hole, three-day event featuring 72 of the world’s top women amateurs. Since its launch seven years ago, the tournament has become a powerful platform for growing the women’s game, offering a new and inspiring pathway for young golfers to chase their dreams.
Rounds one and two of the tournament are played at Champions Retreat Golf Club in nearby Evans, Georgia, with the final round held on the iconic grounds of Augusta National Golf Club. The final round’s timing, the same weekend as the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, is no coincidence. It gives the top 40 youth female golfers in the country a front-row seat to elite competition, reinforcing the idea that with opportunity and hard work, they too could one day return to compete on golf’s grandest stage.
This thoughtful alignment of events reflects Augusta National’s intentional commitment to inspiration, access, and long-term growth in the women’s game. Including female athletes at every level during one of golf’s most historic weeks isn’t just a milestone, it’s a statement. It demonstrates The Masters’ genuine dedication to growing the game for everyone and ensuring that golf’s future is inclusive, empowering, and purpose-driven.
You can learn more about the tournament and check out the results here.
The Patch
What if I told you that you could play a course operated by Augusta National Golf Club? Well, kind of. Augusta National has signed a 50-year lease and launched a landmark partnership with Augusta Municipal Golf Course, Augusta Technical College, and The First Tee of Augusta. Together, they aim to elevate public golf in the region and create a model that other communities can follow.
Known locally as “The Patch,” due to its current condition Augusta Municipal Golf Course will undergo a major revitalization that began in January 2025. The vision is to provide affordable access to the game, support youth development, and build a strong pipeline of future leaders, both on the course and within the golf industry.
Accessibility and affordability are central to the project. To ensure the course remains welcoming to local residents, the daily green fee will be capped at $50. There are also plans to offer additional discounted rates for residents of neighboring counties and to partner with youth golf organizations, regardless of residency.
More than just a renovation, this initiative is about building a community asset. The goal is for The Patch to become a vibrant hub for junior and high school golf, a place where opportunity, education, and the love of the game come together to shape Augusta’s next generation.
It’s a powerful example of how a world-renowned institution like Augusta National can use its influence and resources to drive meaningful change at the grassroots level. By investing in access, development, and local pride, Augusta and the Masters are showing what it means to leave a legacy that goes far beyond the fairways.
You can learn more about ‘’The Patch’’ Project here.
Masters Community Impact
One of the key ways Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters give back to their local community is through the Masters Community Impact Initiative. This initiative reflects the tournament’s deep commitment to the place it calls home. Through long-term investments and partnerships, the Masters supports local organizations and projects that drive transformational change. Their community impact strategy is centered around six core pillars, each focused on creating lasting, meaningful progress.
Live: Augusta National supports organizations like Golden Harvest Food Bank and Child Enrichment, helping provide food, housing, healthcare, and essential services to those in need. The Club also plays a key role in Augusta’s crisis response and recovery efforts.
Grow: To support the next generation, Augusta National invests in early childhood programs such as Apparo Academy, offering vital resources to young children and their families.
Achieve: The Club enhances access to high-quality K–12 education through partnerships with Richmond and Columbia County school systems, the Junior Achievement Discovery Center, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta.
Work: Augusta National promotes workforce development by supporting Augusta University, Paine College’s Transformation Plan and Lee Elder Scholars Program, First Step Staffing, and Augusta Technical College’s new automotive center.
Play: The Masters Tournament Outreach Program invites local youth from groups like First Tee of Augusta and the Boys & Girls Clubs to experience the Masters and Augusta National Women’s Amateur, connecting them to the game and their community.
Serve: Service has been part of Augusta National’s mission since the 1930s. Employees regularly contribute through volunteer efforts with local organizations across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA).
Unlike other major golf tournaments such as the U.S. Open, The PGA Championship or The Open Championship, which rotate venues each year, the Masters has remained rooted in the Augusta community since its inception. This consistency gives Augusta National a unique opportunity to create lasting, meaningful change. By staying in one location, the tournament can build long-term relationships, invest in sustainable initiatives, and drive real impact through its six community impact pillars.
You can learn more about the Masters Community Impact here.
Final Thoughts How Legacy Sporting Events Can Innovate with Purpose Driven Partnerships
The Masters may be steeped in tradition, but Augusta National is proving that history and innovation can go hand in hand. From empowering the next generation of female golfers through the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, to investing in public access with The Patch Project, and committing to deep, community-rooted partnerships through the Masters Community Impact Initiative, this tournament is redefining what legacy in sport can look like.
What makes Augusta National’s approach so powerful is its long-term vision. Instead of one-off campaigns, its initiatives are built on sustained investment, meaningful collaboration, and a genuine desire to grow the game for everyone. It’s a masterclass in how legacy tournaments can lead with purpose, using their platform not just to preserve tradition, but to spark transformation.
In a time when fans and partners alike are demanding more from the sports they love, The Masters is setting a new standard, showing that purpose and prestige aren’t mutually exclusive, but rather, the perfect pairing for lasting impact.