Augusta Mayor's Masters Reception Booklet

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2019 Honoree bob young and The Mayor’s Masters Reception

The Honorable Robert Wood Young was born September 3, 1947 in Pasadena, California and grew up in Thomson, Georgia. He is an alumnus of Wofford College and Augusta State University. Bob is married to Gwen Fulcher Young of Augusta; and he is an Emmy nominated broadcast journalist, author, and former Mayor of Augusta, Georgia. Young also served as the President and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy. He is currently owner and CEO of Eagle Veterans Services LLC and Squeaky Productions, both headquartered in Augusta, Georgia. During Bob Young’s 26-year-career in broadcast journalism, he produced two award-winning documentaries: “The Great March”; about General Sherman’s Civil War invasion of Georgia, and: “Ike’s Augusta”; a chronicle of Dwight Eisenhower’s membership at Augusta National Golf Club. Bob Young served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War and as a broadcast specialist in the Armed Forces Vietnam Network as part of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam. In 1999 he became mayor of Augusta, Georgia, serving until 2005. On June 20, 2005, Young accepted a presidential appointment by George W. Bush to serve as Regional Director, Atlanta Region of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) located in Atlanta, Georgia. On June 13, 2007, Young was further designated Assistant Deputy Secretary for Field Policy and Management, a position that oversees HUD Regional Directors for ten regions across the nation. Previously, he was appointed to represent the nation’s mayors on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. THE MAYOR’S MASTERS RECEPTION began in 1999 when Mayor Bob Young met with a group of business and community members centered around the question, “What can Augusta do for the many people that do not get to go to the Masters Tournament?” These concerned community leaders saw the importance of having an event that allowed the residents an opportunity to participate in the greatest week in the world in their own backyard. From their meeting, The Mayor’s Masters Reception was born. The first receptions were small events held at the Julian Smith Casino. The event started out as a free event, and in 2015 a charge was added to bring entertainment to the event, with Colt Ford being the first national artist to play for the reception. The vision of one man to create an opportunity for residents that otherwise may not have a connection to Masters Week was wise beyond his years. A legacy that continues 20 years later.


We have honored many of golf ’s greatest players and others who have contributed to the sport. From 1999 - 2004, all golfers who played in the Masters Tournament were invited to participate in the reception. During those years, it was difficult to determine which golfers, if any, would join in this community event. Since 2004, Augustans have embraced the tradition of honoring those who have made significant contributions to the game of golf. In 2016 we were excited to honor our first LPGA Champion and legend, Nancy Lopez.

M AYO R S M A S T E R S R E C E P T I O N H O N O R E E S S I N C E 2 0 0 4 2004 - Arnold Palmer | 2005 - Jack Nicklaus | 2006 - Raymond Floyd 2007 – Gary Player | 2008 – Ben Crenshaw | 2009 – Fuzzy Zeller 2010 – Billy Casper | 2011 – Larry Mize, Augusta Native | 2012 - Tom Watson 2013 - Craig Stadler | 2014 - Rain Check | 2015 - Carl Jackson 2016 - Nancy Lopez | 2017 - Laura Coble, Bev Dolan, Jeff Knox 2018 - Vaughn Taylor, Jim Dent | 2019 - Former Mayor Bob Young

The event also features local restaurants offering a “Taste of Augusta” and highlights of local flavor, sights and sounds for our out of town guests and Augustans alike. The Mayor’s Masters Reception is an Augusta Masters Monday tradition that is celebrated and enjoyed by young and old. It continues to grow each year and is an event that offers something for everyone to look forward to and enjoy.


ay Jefferies’ fun and high energy style of weather forecasting have earned him a reputation as Augusta’s most accurate and entertaining television personalities. Currently he is Chief Meteorologist on WFXG Fox 54’s Morning News and keeps viewers informed and prepared for the upcoming weather. With over 35 years of experience in broadcasting, he forecasts the weather with an educational twist, and that style has earned him many viewers and honors. Being the first African American Meteorologist for the Augusta- Aiken area, Jay is an award-winning meteorologist and has been honored locally, regionally, and nationally. To name a few awards, he holds the title Best Weather in Augusta Magazine for the past five years; he has been named Metro Spirit’s and Columbia County Magazine’s Best TV Personality. He has also received an Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer Award from the Greater Augusta Chapter - Association of Fundraising Professionals. Known by his popular segment “Where in Augusta is Jay Jefferies”, he was thrilled to have been asked by the Weather Channel to be featured in an episode of “America Super Natural”. In April 2016, he was the proud recipient of the prestigious Louis Harris Award from the Augusta West Rotary Club. Jays broadcast career spans from radio to television and he has worked in many markets across the United States. In addition to weather, he loves his community and emcees many events for various organizations. In May 2013, people truly began to wonder, “Where in Augusta is Jay Jefferies”, when he suddenly disappeared off the air for six months. For weeks, his team of doctors were baffled but soon uncovered that he had endocarditis. It is an infection in the lining of the heart which eventually led to heart valve replacement surgery. It was truly a learning experience for his entire family, but they know it was faith that sustained all of them. He now shares his story in appearances and uses his experience to bring awareness to strokes and heart disease. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Jay and his wife Bonita, their children Jaida and Jaden all live in Augusta with Pepper, a rescue from an Aiken shelter. Jay enjoys golfing, playing drums, going to the movies, and just spending time with his family.


Programme EMCEE Cliff Bennett iHeart Media Augusta WELCOME & INTRODUCTION Cliff Bennett NATIONAL ANTHEM Chanel B. INVOCATION Pastor Michael Mitchell Restoration Ministries INTRO OF 2019 AUGUSTA MAYOR’S MASTERS RECEPTION HONOREE Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr. & Cliff Bennett PRESENTATION TO HONOREE REMARKS Mr. Bob Young SPECIAL RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENT & CLOSING REMARKS Mayor Hardie Davis, Jr.







Special Thanks

Augusta Mayor’s Masters Reception Committee, Volunteers, Augusta Day Reporting Center, and Mayor’s Office Staff.

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