Augusta National Golf Club to donate $2 million to assist Augusta-area in COVID-19 fight

Augusta National Golf Club is stepping in to assist the Augusta area during the coronavirus pandemic.

The club announced in a press release Monday morning that it will be partnering with the Community Foundation of the CSRA by donating $2 million in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is our hope these gifts will help address the many challenges brought about by the coronavirus throughout the City of Augusta and the greater region,” said Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley. “We believe Augusta National has an important responsibility to support and protect the community who has so generously and consistently supported us for many years.”

“We are grateful to the Community Foundation for their continued partnership during this unprecedented time and especially appreciative to the dedicated healthcare providers, first responders and many others working tirelessly to fight the effects of this pandemic. They are truly leading this important charge, and we hope these contributions will inspire others to support their efforts.”

The release states that $1 million will go to Augusta University to expand testing in the area. Another $1 million will be given to the COVID-19 CSRA Emergency Fund, launched by the Community Fund and the United Way of the CSRA to “directly support relief efforts for the most vulnerable populations affected by the Coronavirus pandemic in the community.”

AU president Brooks Keel expressed his gratitude for the donation.

“Augusta University is incredibly grateful for the generosity and leadership of the Augusta National Golf Club and the Community Foundation to support these important efforts,” Keel said. “This gift is an immediate and important contribution to the expansion of our COVID-19 screening and testing efforts. It provides us with needed resources to limit the spread of the virus through quicker identification and treatment. There is no doubt that because of this gift, many lives will be saved.”