Augusta, GA. – As the Augusta National Women’s Amateur kicks off on Wednesday, April 3, and Thursday, April 4, local authorities are prepared to manage the increased flow of traffic surrounding the event. With the tournament’s first rounds set to begin each day at 8 a.m., gates to the course will open at 7:30 a.m. While organizers anticipate a strong turnout, Columbia County officials believe that any traffic disruptions will be minimal.

According to Randy Prickett, the county’s Traffic Operations Manager, the impact on local traffic is expected to be relatively low. “We don’t foresee a really big impact to the area, but we will be monitoring it closely,” Prickett stated. “I’ll have someone stationed at key intersections starting at 7 a.m., and we’ll continue monitoring the situation until 6 p.m. each day, although we anticipate being out of the area by 4:30 p.m.”

Despite the expected influx of visitors aiming to beat the closing time of the gates, which is 30 minutes after play begins, Prickett is confident that the traffic flow will remain manageable. “We’ll consistently monitor all the traffic signals throughout the day in that area to make sure everything runs smoothly,” he added.

For those looking to avoid the hassle of parking or navigating the increased traffic, shuttle service to the course will be available from Grace Baptist Church on Hardy McManus Road. The shuttles will begin running at 7 a.m. each day, offering an alternative for attendees.

As the Augusta National Women’s Amateur continues to grow in popularity, local authorities remain vigilant in ensuring that the event goes off without a hitch, both on and off the course. Visitors to the event can expect a smooth experience as the tournament progresses over the next few days.