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(April 6, 2018) —Ok, so today I was concerned about Tiger making the cut given his errant shots. Like everyone else, I held my breath with each shot. I was happy, elated disappointed, breathless and exhausted watching him but I was hanging with him!! Nervously, munching on Masters snacks.
Yes, the Masters has their own potato chips, water, famous moon pies and even the napkins and cups to match. These and other more nutritious delights are readily available in the state-of-the-art new Media Building, which is where I am housed for the week of the Masters along with hundreds of other media personnel from all over the world.
The new media center is conducive to writing and filing my daily reports for AAGD and the facility spared no expense in making certain all of the amenities were in place. The two-story building is located at the west end of the tournament practice range. The exterior has all the trimming of a stately mansion that graced many Southern plantations back in the day, including a stone façade, tall white columns and covered porches.
On the first floor is the Media check-in spot. Reporters can then make their way upstairs to the second floor to the working press room. Each media desk in the press room is hard-wired, equipped with high-speed Internet and its own TV monitor and scoring computer.
During the week, players meet with media in the interview room where reporters have individual desks with customized nameplates and microphones for asking their questions to players.
The center also has a formal dining area that serves breakfast and lunch for attending media and there is an outdoor eating area and a lounge for the tired and worn-out journalists to relax during their hard days of work
—Makes you envy me for covering the Masters, am I right?
At this point, I just want Tiger to make the cut in this field of 87 players. Winning can come later. The cut will be determined in the following manner.
After 36 holes of play, a cut-off score is calculated to reduce the size of the field for the weekend rounds. To “make the cut”, players must be either in the top 50 places (ties counting) or within 10 strokes of the leader’s score.
So Patrick Reed, who played collegiately at Augusta State College, was on fire today shooting a 6 under 66 and leads the field with 9 under for the tournament. Tiger shot a 75, 3 over for the day and 4 over for the tournament and made the cut by 1 stroke with a score of 148, which ties him for 40th place, 14 strokes behind.
For the record, Tiger’s statistics on Friday were:
• 10 of 18 Greens in Regulation – 55.6%
• 7 o 14 Fairways Hit – 50%
• 303.2 Yards – Driving Distance
(His longest drive was 339.9 Yards on Hole 15)
• 1.90 Average Putts for Greens in Regulation
Time for more snacks!
…more snacks at the MASTERS
Also on the course today I had the pleasure of meeting 3 young ladies from the area:
Raven Washington, a 5th grader for Augusta, Georgia who is planning to go to college at Kennesaw State. Hanna Evans, an 8th grader also from Augusta and she is planning to go to college at Georgia State. She also has been involved with the First Tee of Augusta.
Noria Williams, a 9th grader from Aiken, South Carolina. Noria is planning to go to Clafin University. Noria’s mother, Teresa Williams, accompanied the young ladies.
The young ladies were attending the golf tournament as part of the National Society of Black Engineers Junior program, which encourages Black youth to pursue studies in the engineering fields and to properly prepare for college.
I took the opportunity talk quite a bit about the role of technology and engineering in golf, ranging from the golf course design and maintenance to the clubs and accessories that are used by the players.
This is a great example of how local and national organizations can partner and encourage our youth academically as well as introducing them to the great game of GOLF.
Charlton Carswell
I should also mention that the AAGD magazine picked up a new reader this morning! As I was waiting to buy some supplies at Staples. Mr. Charlton Carswell, who lives in the Augusta area, (pictured) was clearly fascinated with the magazine! AAGD Publisher, Debert cook even called and thanked him for his interest. This is the personal touch of AAGD!! We take the time to listen and talk with folks. To us, everyone is important to growing this game. Welcome! Mr. Carswell to our AAGD family.
Stay tuned for more to come from the 2018 Masters.
James Beatty, Executive Editor, African American Golfer’s Digest James R. Beatty is Founder of NCS International, an Omaha, Nebraska-based company that providers of an array of economic development services. He serves as Executive Editor at the African American Golfer’s Digest and on the Golf 20/20 Diversity Task Force.
