HOW I PREP FOR A WEEK AT THE MASTERS
This will be my 11th year working The Masters, and I’d like to think I’ve learned a little about what it takes to set up for a successful week. Managing a major championship week from a television perspective is similar to managing a major as a player in that if you do your homework (quite literally in this case!), you can better handle whatever is thrown at you.
Toward the end of my playing career, I worked with a performance coach who suggested I would do better on the road if I brought a bit of home with me—what he referred to as “nesting.” To that end, I travel with my own pillow, key foods, supplements and spices, the same personal grooming supplies I use at home, plus a portable sound dock that rarely leaves my luggage.
For most of my trips to Augusta, I’ve been fortunate to stay in a rental home where cooking a meal is not only a convenience but a huge comfort. Stocking that kitchen—whether with mega-appreciated help from CBS production staff or sourcing on my own quiet, consistent and healthy meals—is an essential part of the week. I definitely have my favorite restaurant in the Augusta area, namely Cadwalladers Café, but our hours just don’t match up every night and decompression is a big part of every day.
If you follow me on social media, you know I LOVE my flowers and gardens. To that end, for the last handful of years I have found a local florist at events where I have been assigned four round coverage and had flowers delivered. A “nesting” outlet for me, a boost to a local, small business person and in the case of “The Bloom Closet” in Augusta, a friendship has evolved.
The last piece of off-course prep is the closet. It is important to be prepared for all sorts of weather conditions, but also to be armed with “grab and go” clothing that isn’t wrinkled and can be flexible between core colors patterns. Also, get the laundry detergent and softener you use at home—no need to be looking for those after a long day or be forced to use something that irritates your skin or nose.
As for the on-course prep, I like to walk 9 holes on Monday and Tuesday followed by a fill-in-the-gaps look at anything I may have missed Wednesday morning before we all gather for a production meeting Wednesday afternoon. Mornings and evenings are spent reading anything I can get my hands on relating to the event from my annual review of The Making of the Masters by David Owen to local newspapers and social media, while also fine tuning my yardage book.
The final piece of on-course prep is to slow down and simply appreciate where I am this particular week: Augusta National Golf Club. Formerly a commercial nursery named Fruitland Nurseries, the golf course is a springtime sensory overload from the native orange azaleas in the low area left of the 2nd hole and the Lady Banks’ Roses long of the 12th green and on the Par 3 course to the monstrous wall of camellias left of the 10th. And that’s all without the help of the current nursery itself! It is pure magic. Breathe deep, open your eyes and don’t forget to listen. The distinctive chirp of cardinals will sharpen that sense, too.
And with that done, let’s get to the first tee where we’ll hear, “Fore Please, Now Driving…” and then end the week with the Green Jacket Ceremony.
It’s here. The Masters.
