The Great Outdoors
If you want to get fit and have fun at the same time, then Augusta is the place to be. With our wide selection of recreational facilities and sports leagues for children and adults, you can pursue just about any athletic pastime that comes to mind: tennis, golf, swimming, softball, volley ball, biking, ice skating—yes, even ice skating.
But let’s talk about water activities first. After all, the Savannah River, Augusta Canal, Lake Olmstead and Lake Thurmond are all within easy reach and just waiting to ignite your adventurous, nature-loving spirit. And nearby Langley Pond, the fastest growing rowing regatta venue in the southeast, is the only Olympic size course in South Carolina. Complete with a bathhouse, playground, picnic area, grills, concession stand, boat ramp, swim area and dock, Langley Pond Park is a perfect weekend destination for the family.
A major southeastern waterway forming the border between Georgia and South Carolina, the scenic Savannah River is studded with convenient access points. The river is also the perfect venue for the Champ Boat Race Grand Prix of Augusta and the Augusta Southern Nationals, which bring the world’s fastest drag boats, capable of pushing the speedometer over 260 mph.
If you want to seek some solace and quietude after a weekend of drag boat excitement, the Augusta Canal offers opportunities to get back to nature, from bicycling or walking to kayaking and fishing. Farther up the canal, you’ll find the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, where you can get a bird’s eye view of the rapids from an observation deck situated up on a scenic 80-foot bluff.
Those eager to indulge in more natural wonders should plan a day at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, where visitors can observe blue heron, red-shouldered hawk, otter, alligator and the elusive bobcat. You can also get up close and personal with nature at Columbia County’s newly opened Reed Creek Wetlands Park and Interpretive Center.
Not far from Augusta are the sparkling waters of Lake Thurmond, ideal for a slew of water activities. Beyond the shores you will discover camping accommodations, hiking trails and recreation areas. The largest man-made lake in the eastern U.S., Lake Thurmond is also host to the annual Skeeter Boat Tournament and the ESPN/Bass Master fishing tournament, an event that challenges some of the best anglers in the country.
While visiting the lake, you’ll find Wildwood Park, home to the Professional Disc Golf Association Center. You can try your hand at the sport on one of the courses here or at Patriot’s Park, another one of Columbia County’s first-class recreational facilities.
Speaking of parks, how about heading to the ballpark to watch the Augusta GreenJackets in home game action? Of course, in Augusta, you’re options are always varied, so if you’re a fan of spectator sports other than baseball, you’re in luck. If professional indoor football puts you on the edge of your seat, you can catch the Augusta Colts in action at the James Brown Arena. Or perhaps the sound of blades cutting fast through a sheet of ice is what pumps your adrenaline. Don’t worry—Augusta has its own ice hockey team, too. Popular with the locals, the Augusta Lynx are members of the East Coast Hockey League and compete from October through April.
Held in January each year, the Augusta Cutting Horse Futurity features horses and their riders working to cut and isolate a cow from the herd. In addition to the futurity, the James Brown Arena hosts the Barrel Horse Racing World Championships in the fall. As headquarters for the National Barrel Horse Association, Augusta is the perfect city for this action packed championship.
In the CSRA, you’ll encounter an array of opportunities to watch horses show off their agility and strength. Just across the river sits the thriving equestrian community of Aiken, S.C., host to the annual Aiken Triple Crown, a highly-anticipated event comprised of flat racing, steeplechasing and professional polo. And over the past five years the area has become an international destination for world-class polo in general with high-goal tournaments held each fall.
Oh did we hear you say that we forgot something? That we’ve overlooked the world’s most prestigious golf tournament in the history of the sport? There’s no way we could dismiss that exciting PGA Major known for its blooming azaleas, the traditional green jacket and Amen Corner. Held every year the first full week in April at the Augusta National Golf Club, the Masters has a colorful history that dates back to the first tournament in 1934. Although only a lucky few get a shot at the greens of Augusta National, it doesn’t mean that you’ve totally missed out on all the glorious golfing experiences the Garden City has to offer.
The CSRA is home to more than 30 public and private courses, including Jones Creek and the River Club, a public course spanning along the banks of the Savannah River and designed by internationally acclaimed course architect Jim Fazio.
One of the newest additions to Augusta’s golf scene is the Champions Retreat Golf Club at Riverwood Plantation, a private club with holes designed by Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, the only course with the three golfers’ names attached to it. In 2007, the club was ranked 5th Best Course in Georgia by Golf Digest. And in November 2005, the magazine ranked Augusta 36th out of 330 metropolitan areas with populations of 50,000 or more as “best little golf town in America.”
In South Augusta, the Goshen Plantation course is home to one of Augusta’s latest pro tour players, Vaughn Taylor, who grew up playing the course and comes back regularly to visit family.
For youngsters who want to learn the game of golf, First Tee Augusta is a nonprofit public course with classes and lessons that teach golf skills and etiquette, along with values such as commitment, honesty and respect.
