Wynston Wilcox: Augusta will always be home to me

I’ll never forget the day I arrived Augusta.  

It was about 70 degrees, and I broke out a sweat within the first few hours of being in town after going from sub-30 degree temperatures and snow of Niagara Falls, N.Y., to sunny, warm-weathered Augusta on the Savannah River.  

I knew then, once I escaped the bitter cold weather, I was at home.  

The past three years I called Augusta home and loved every bit of it. From covering the Masters within my first month of arriving through my first Peach Jam and football and basketball seasons, I knew I made the right decision.  

For nearly three years, I made memories, friends and improved my craft as a reporter/writer.  

Goodbyes are always hard. Leaving the city that helped me grow, the coaches that helped me do my job and the teams and players whose stories I told, Augusta will always be home for me.  

As I begin my new life in Memphis and job with The Commercial Appeal, I wanted to run through a couple of my favorite memories from my time at The Augusta Chronicle.  

TITLETOWN, AUGUSTA 

As a basketball fan, the 2020-21 basketball season will always rank high in my all-time memories as a sports journalist. Through the season, I learned just how prominent basketball is in Augusta.  

Covering three basketball state championships was an amazing experience.

Following Josey through its historic milestones en route to its first state title since the legendary Lynn Brantley was at the helm was fun. Seeing how much coach Jawan Bailey cares about his team was even more special.  

After everything that Jordyn Dorsey did for the Cross Creek basketball program and girls basketball in Augusta, to see her hug coach Kim Schlein with a smile on her face after capping an incredible career with a 30-point performance to clinch a state title was unforgettable.  

Adding in other stellar teams, including what Eboni Fields did with Butler in her second season and legendary Otis Smart still getting his Laney squad to fight, showed us all how deep the talent is in this area. 

And that’s just girls basketball.  

Throw in what Cervantes Boddy has done with Butler the past two seasons, Darren Douglas has started at Grovetown and what Lawrence Kelly has accomplished at Cross Creek with back-to-back state championship appearances and a state title.  

Augusta may not be considered the basketball mecca that is Atlanta, but there’s something to be said about the talent level in the area.  

Thank you to all the basketball coaches that helped me tell your stories from exciting games, historic milestones and player profiles. 

And on the national level, to see The Skill Factory win at the 2021 Peach Jam, led by Lavonta Ivery, Elijah Crawford, Jahkiaus Jones and Marcellus Brigham, is further validation of how serious basketball is in the area.  

TIGER’S RETURN 

As someone that had limited knowledge of golf and rarely watched outside of The Masters, watching Tiger Woods surge to the top during my first trip to Augusta National and covering the esteemed golf tournament, is something I’ll never forget.  

To be on the grounds during the 2019, feeling the energy of a true “Tiger roar” from the patrons and witnessing history all in my first month in Augusta was unfathomable.  

To say that I was at Augusta National when Tiger won his fifth green jacket is still surreal. While it isn’t the Masters, I'll be covering the WGC-St. Jude Invitational at TPC Southwind, so I’ll still use my golf knowledge gained. 

But nothing will ever amass to the experience at Augusta National. Though I am sad to leave, having covered three Masters Tournaments, two in-person, is an experience I am forever grateful for.  

THANK YOU, COACHES 

As I wrap this up, I want to send out a special shoutout to every coach I worked with across all sports in Augusta-area schools. Our coverage of your teams and players isn’t possible without you working with us.  

From story tips and post-game interviews — I have appreciated every coach I have worked with.  

It’s hard to summarize my time here in 800 words, but as I reflect on my time at The Chronicle, I can say I enjoyed my time.  

I’m just a boy from Cincinnati who loves to tell stories. Thank you for allowing me to do just that, Augusta.