Fore Please: Masters Weekend
I. A Weekend Unlike Any Other
My dad took my brother James and me to a final round of the Masters when we were younger. I grew up around the game of golf and understood that it was one of the hardest tickets to get. We flew into Atlanta and drove over to Augusta the day before. Our heroes at the time — Tiger and Phil — were in the field, and Tiger had just carded a 68… the town was buzzing that Spring afternoon. Something big was going to happen the next day - we were all sure of it.
II. Quick History of Augusta National / Creation
According to legend, upon his retirement, the great golfer Bobby Jones was inspired to build a golf course. I suppose this was a legacy thing — something to outlive him. His vision was to find a plot of land in the Augusta, GA area that had natural surroundings (hills, mounds, creeks), that could be used as part of his golf course design. A businessman recommended Fruitland Nurseries, a defunct nursery built on a section of land that met Jones’ criteria. Trees and plants from the nursery were planted all along the property, including magnolias and azaleas that Augusta National is known for.
And this all happened 70 years prior to my arrival.
Many of you have a vision or recall a moment of inspiration. Maybe it was some product or service you considered that nobody else has given any thought. It could be something in your current career path, a natural segue into a new path, or maybe just a side hustle! No matter what that ‘thing’ is, you owe it to yourself to get it on paper. We were made to create. Who knows — maybe there is an Augusta National in you!
III. No Cell Phones / Empathy
One of the first things you will find out at the tournament, if you did not know already, is that there are no cell phones allowed. Yep. Prohibited. Hard stop.
In this day and age, that is an amazing rule. I have not experienced this rule at any other event. And it is a rule that is appreciated by any past ‘patron’ I have ever spoken to. And yet, everywhere we go, our cell phone goes with us.
In the world of constant distractions, I think this rule could serve us well. When I have meetings, I try to abide by the no cell phone rule (and it goes for the computer, too, if practical). In order to be present in the moment, and to truly understand the person in front of you, there are very few instances where a cell phone can help.
If you aspire to be a person of empathy, you have to listen with your heart and your eyes as much as your ears… And to do that you need a no cell phone rule!
IV. Course Design / Building
Over the years, as golf club technology has advanced, from persimmon to alloys, it has been necessary to make adjustments to the course. None more spectacular in my opinion than the expansion of the 13th hole, aptly named Azalea. Recognizing that 13 had become a de facto Par 4 at 510 yards, Augusta National bought property from their neighbor Augusta Country Club. The expansion of the tee box provided the needed length (+35 yards) to keep the hole a viable par five. According to those in the know, the new tee box, which is nestled in the corner of the property, is now a player favorite … quiet and away from all distractions.
There are so many times in business when we are required to rework things to meet the challenges of a new technology. This skill is of obvious consequence for those working in operations, where technological changes move faster each day. Building requires that we tear stuff down and put stuff back up on the old ground. Sometimes it forces us to throw our blueprints out the window, move forward with incomplete information, and/or make changes on the fly. Regardless, building is executing the vision.
V. Take What the Course Gives You — Judgment
In the recent past, one of the hot names on tour made the claim that the course was really a par 67, as the par fives were all reachable in two (and assuming an unspecified hole was an easy birdie). Augusta National is par 72 for the players.
That year, the golfer mentioned finished T-34th. The next year he finished T-46th. He missed the cut the next two years. Despite shorter holes like the famous 13th we just spoke of, a common phrase at the Masters press conferences is to “take what the course gives you” and not push too hard.
Many times in business, we are forced to take what the customer or stakeholder gives us. Sometimes we find ourselves in an uncomfortable setting — we need to make a decision, but we know that we don’t need to press. Additionally, there are going to be times when the data tells you to move a particular direction, but only you know that the data set is incomplete. Your job is to weigh the context, decide what inputs to trust, and go with your gut. In golf and in business, sometimes that means “taking your medicine” and getting out without too much damage being done.
VI. Pimento Cheese or Egg Salad? — Stewardship
The concession stand menu at the Masters mirrors a southern-style picnic, complete with sandwiches, chips, cookies, tea, and lemonade. And for those that have been, they are amazed at the ‘throwback’ prices. Personally, I am a fan of the $1.50 pimento cheese sandwich, but many swear by the egg salad! I suppose a golf club whose membership is composed of billionaires does not need to price gouge, but they easily could.
In 2007, Augusta National chairman Billy Payne stated, “We want the experience to not only be the best but to be affordable. And we take certain things very, very seriously. Like the cost of a pimento cheese sandwich is just as important as how high the second cut (of grass) is going to be.”
Stewardship is the capability of evaluating, correcting, and governing the output before it reaches the world. Sometimes that means slowing down the work, getting a second opinion, even if it costs you money in the short term. People that understand this not only protect their brand… they add to it.
VII. Closing Thoughts on The Masters
Walking the course that day is something that is etched in my memory forever. And not because of some memorable golf moment. Tiger didn’t win. Phil didn’t win either. And that didn’t matter. There was a moment that morning, somewhere between 9 fairway, 8 tee and 2 green, where everything in my peripheral vision was the most luscious, beautiful green I had ever seen. A kind of beauty which fully assaults the senses. All the words I have cannot do any justice - a moment of inspiration that was years in the making.
And so it is with each of you… if you have a vision, share it. You may not have the golf skill or vision of Bobby Jones, but your creation may be just as important to someone you haven’t met, 70 years from now. Or maybe you don’t have the ability to create but you have the ability to come alongside a visionary and be the builder agent that makes it all come together.
Regardless, I hope you take some time this weekend and in the near future to get together with friends and family, and following the no cell phone rule, enjoy the time together.