Downtown Augusta businesses join golf-themed business crawl

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Downtown Soul City is giving locals and patrons something to do if they’re not at the course.

It’s the 19th Hole Business Crawl. It’s to encourage locals and out-of-towners to support businesses during golf week. You can grab a scorecard, and the more stores you visit, the better score you get.

After filling up a card, you can take it to Augusta & Co to be entered for a prize and putt on the putting green. You can redeem it for a free coffee or beer at other restaurants downtown.

The goal is to allow people to discover more of downtown and boost business year-round.

“We figured we should all just support each other,” said Coordinator John Porter.

The support is up to par in more ways than one in downtown Augusta.

“A lot of times, almost nothing happens during the Masters for locals. And everybody just kind of writes that whole week off,” he said.

Downtown Soul City says the idea was to combine business and play while the usual crowd is away.

Tonya Boswell is the owner of Urban K9. She said, “It’s one of those discovered downtown. And that’s what we’re all about. Because you might not know that place has been there. But if you go in there and you look around, you might meet new people and see new things.”

Helping put new stores on the map.

“We just opened urban K9 on January 24 of this year. We’re brand new here. Masters week, this will be our first one,” she said.

All you do is grab a card and make a purchase.

Brianne Martin is the owner of Freshwater Studio and Shop. She said, “We have a bunch of exclusive Augusta items. So we’ve already seen sales.”

Each business has a different amount of points.

Boswell said: “If you hit us first, then you work your way in, you’ll hit 14 points real quick.”

It all comes down to a score of 14 under par and a ceremonial putt right at Augusta & Co to see if you will win the grand prize.

“We’ll get more traffic just from being on the card,” said Boswell.

You have until April 10 to win a grand prize valued at $250 with all sorts of things from the businesses. Even if you don’t win, you still get a prize.

“Not a lot of people know that there’s retail downtown, and so there’s a lot of things to discover, and so even if you don’t patronize it and don’t shop there, maybe in the future, think of that and think of supporting those local businesses when you’re looking for something specific,” said Field Botanicals Owner Jennifer Tinsley.

They hope it will allow people waiting to fly out to take advantage of the event as well. They plan to host one every quarter.

Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.