by Gary Williams | Apr 20, 2023 | Blog
“Time is a thief, but he’s not subtle. He’s a thug.” A line penned by J.R. Moehringer for the novel, “Sutton”. This statement is applicable to all of us, but it is amplified as we watch our stars grow older before us. Compromised by new limitations and exacerbated by the next generation of those wanting to take what used to be ours. Its why athletic mortality is a fascinating study because it can come so swiftly, and it usually occurs well before the adoring public has even reached midlife in our own chosen fields. So, what do we do now… Read more
by Gary Williams | Apr 17, 2023 | Blog
Athletes and fans keep score, and we all make lists. We have lists for errands, thank you notes, career goals, amends we have to make, and for golfers… its where we must go. I certainly want to attend games at some of the great sports venues of the world starting with the All England Lawn and Croquet Club for Wimbledon. I’ve been to games at Lambeau Field, Cameron Indoor Stadium, Fenway Park, The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Madison Square Garden, and The Big House. Many of those experiences were work related or simply reflective of a game I wanted to attend… Read more
by Gary Williams | Apr 14, 2023 | Blog
When was the last time you thought about your own greatest personal and most profound physical achievement? It probably presents itself in your mind periodically and it is rightfully a tremendous source of pride. It may also feel as if it took place many more years ago than it actually did. In men’s professional golf the resumes of the greatest players are a testament to the achievement and can also be amplified by the longevity of the individual. Jack Nicklaus won his first major in 1962 and famously won his last in 1986. Tiger Woods expanded the breadth of his major… Read more
by Gary Williams | Apr 10, 2023 | Blog
Sunday at Augusta National is a long day and this year made longer by the weather delays that forced a resumption of the third round after 8 AM. The final group would wind up playing 30 holes on the final day, and for Brooks Koepka, it would be only the second time this calendar year that he would play 72 holes in one tournament let alone 30 holes in one day. The radio team was on the air at 8 AM and me, Taylor Zarzour and Mike Tirico set up the final day for 30 minutes on SiriusXM and then I made… Read more
by Gary Williams | Apr 8, 2023 | Blog
Catching up at a professional golf tournament can be an unnerving exercise for the players, caddies, television partners, tournament staff and the fans. The finish line is Sunday night and few other sports deal with the prospect of the event being pushed into an extra day. The 87th Masters felt the pressure of playing golf on this Saturday because in the absence of at least finishing the second round, a Monday finish was very much in play. When play resumed on Saturday morning it was in the upper 40’s with light rain but they were playing golf at 8 AM in Augusta… Read more
by Gary Williams | Apr 8, 2023 | Blog
I have never taken great interest in the weather forecast except when it may affect my ability to play golf or cover golf. Since last week I’ve been aware of the potential for rain to play a part in the 2023 Masters and that the weekend looked particularly dodgy. Friday morning started the way Thursday had ended with warm and humid conditions with barely a trace of wind and a very receptive golf course. I shared breakfast on Friday with Max Adler, the editor of Golf Digest, and it was enjoyable and educational to learn about the vision he and his… Read more
by Gary Williams | Apr 6, 2023 | Blog
The Masters is the youngest major, yet it has established several traditions because of the returning to Augusta National every year that has allowed the tournament to catch up in some ways to the other three monster events in the men’s game. The honorary starters have transitioned from generation to generation and currently the combined Masters titles of Nicklaus, Player and Watson is eleven and their overall major championship haul is 35. Their mere presence together on Thursday morning on the first tee made me emotional watching from a monitor in the press building. I saw Gary Player in person 50… Read more
by Gary Williams | Apr 6, 2023 | Blog
The eve of any major championship is challenging for players, fans and the media. With the constant flow of content being put out into the ether, even world-class media gasbags are about tapped out with thought or original conversation by Wednesday. How many times can we extrapolate whether Rory is in the right headspace? Players have installed their game plans and any player searching for a swing thought on the eve of the Masters will be on a Delta regional jet connecting in Atlanta or heading to Hilton Head on Saturday morning in a courtesy car. Wednesday morning for me… Read more
by Gary Williams | Apr 5, 2023 | Blog
Tuesday at any major is a news day. You hear from the most players in the interview room in the press building on Tuesdays. There is a ton of sound gathered from players in “flash” interview areas and you learn the groupings for the first two days of the tournament. Tuesday is also the biggest workday for players as they all know the golf course will be closed Wednesday afternoon once the Par 3 contest gets underway. The fact that I didn’t leave the press building until 4 PM after arriving at 8 AM is not only sad, but it… Read more
by Gary Williams | Apr 4, 2023 | Blog
I’ve always been a believer in life that we must have something to look forward to. Trips abroad, a round of golf, a new restaurant reservation, any type of little carrot to have on the horizon is a very healthy dynamic. Knowing you’re going to the Masters is one of the better things to have on the horizon whether it’s your first or fiftieth trip. As a media member it’s almost unsettling to cover the Masters. Any media member who acts as if Masters week is a regular business trip is being dishonest. The relationship that Augusta National has had… Read more
