The most architecturally pedigreed municipal golf course in America has just reopened. The Patch, formerly the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, returned to public play on April 15, 2026 after a $25 million renovation backed by Augusta National. The 18-hole course was reimagined by Tom Fazio and Beau Welling, and a brand-new nine-hole short course — The Loop at The Patch — was designed by Tiger Woods’ TGR Design firm.
And the green fees? For Augusta residents: $25 weekday, $35 weekend for 18 holes, walking. $15 on The Loop. Those numbers, more than the architects, are the story.
What Just Reopened
The Patch sits less than two miles from Augusta National. The original 1928 layout had been a community fixture for generations of Augusta locals — particularly important for Black golfers during segregation, when other Augusta-area courses were closed to them — but the course had decayed badly in the past 20 years. The renovation, formally announced in 2023 and partially funded by Augusta National Golf Club, was designed to make the city’s only municipal course a credible piece of public golf again.
What reopened in April:
- The 18-hole main course — fully redesigned by Tom Fazio and Beau Welling, reopening April 15 after a soft-opening period in mid-March for community groups and high school teams.
- The Loop at The Patch — a 9-hole par-3 short course designed by Tiger Woods and TGR Design, built around playability and walkability for new players, juniors and locals on a tight time budget.
- Practice facility, clubhouse and short-game area — entirely rebuilt as part of the $25 million project.
Why The Pricing Matters
The most striking thing about The Patch is how cheap it is to play. A walking 18 at $25 for residents — on a Fazio-designed course — is unheard-of pricing in 2026. Most renovated municipal courses in major US cities are charging $80 to $120 for a weekend round, with cart fees on top. Even The Loop’s $15 short-course rate is lower than the typical range driver bucket at most US clubs.
The Patch project is being explicit about why: the affordability isn’t a marketing accessory, it’s the design brief. The reopening announcements have repeatedly used phrases like “fundamental to the project” and “an accessible and affordable public golf experience for the Augusta community.” That language is unusual for a project with this much architectural and financial weight behind it.
For context, this is the same week that Cabot Highlands’ Old Petty course opens to the public in Scotland and Harbor Shores’ Colin Montgomerie short course opens in Michigan. The new-course pipeline in 2026 is full, but most of those projects are aimed at destination buyers and members. The Patch is aimed at people who live within ten miles of it.
What This Means For Golf
1. The municipal-course renovation playbook just shifted. If a project of this calibre — Fazio + Welling + TGR Design — can keep resident green fees under $40, the standard argument that “good public golf has to be expensive” is harder to defend. Cities like Detroit, Chicago and Los Angeles have municipal renovation projects in various stages, and The Patch raises the bar for what they should be designed to deliver.
2. The Loop is a serious developmental play. A nine-hole, par-3, walkable short course is one of the highest-leverage assets a city can build for new and junior golfers. It is exactly the format that programs like Bank of America’s $5 Junior Golf tee-times program rely on to grow participation. Augusta now has both — affordable adult fees and a beginner-friendly short course — in the same facility, less than two miles from arguably the most exclusive course in golf.
3. Augusta National’s public-facing role is changing. The club’s involvement in The Patch project is the most visible community investment Augusta National has made outside of the Drive, Chip & Putt and Augusta National Women’s Amateur initiatives. It signals a much more proactive stance on local access — and is likely a template for similar partnerships at other major championship venues.
What This Means For You
If you live in or near Augusta: tee times at The Patch can be booked through the official course site, and resident pricing requires a Richmond County address verification. Walking is encouraged; the routing was explicitly designed for foot traffic, and there is no requirement to take a cart.
If you’re visiting Augusta — particularly during Masters week — non-resident green fees still come in significantly below the regional average for renovated municipals. Most Masters-week visitors plan rounds at private clubs or destination resorts; The Patch and The Loop now give travellers a serious alternative without the access politics.
If you’re newer to the game, The Loop is one of the better short courses in the country to learn on. Par-3 routings build short-game skill faster than full-length courses, and the price point makes a nine-hole loop a low-pressure way to play more often. For broader course inspiration, see our regional guides to the best courses in North Carolina and other Southeast US destinations.
Key Takeaways
- The Patch (Augusta Municipal Golf Course) reopened April 15, 2026 after a $25M renovation.
- 18-hole course by Tom Fazio & Beau Welling; new 9-hole par-3 (The Loop) by Tiger Woods’ TGR Design.
- Resident green fees: $25 weekday / $35 weekend on the main course; $15 on The Loop.
- Funded with significant support from Augusta National Golf Club.
- Likely a template for future municipal-renovation partnerships at other major championship venues.
