Augusta Anonymous: Superintendent secrets at The Masters

Before the 2023 Masters, GOLF caught up with a former Augusta National maintenance crew volunteer. Given the secrecy of this information, we respected their request for anonymity. It takes an army to maintain the property at Augusta, and we learned just how big that army is. On top of that, we learned about underground tunnels, the divot repair crew, sub-air systems, and more. Listen closely to the super secrets that help make the mystique of Augusta National and The Masters.
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[@Pulse2AM]

Witness protection, he saw a divot missed and there's gonna be trial right after the tournament - it's for his own safety.

[@thomastrain7311]

witsac

[@markdouglas9182]

That would explain those underground tunnels. Probably full of ex-greenkeepers that accidentally 'missed' divots.😵

[@lololololol]

The anonymity makes you feel like these superintendents are doing something illegal lol

[@johnmcpike5582]

My dads a super, they both are doing illegal stuff and also don’t want any attention

[@ghhhp]

i thought it was gonna be a video like that too he’s talking about how amazing it is i’m like wtf why you anonymous then?? 😂

[@PinGMaj]

It is more than likely “illegal”. They probably have to sign NDA’s in order to work the tournament as a volunteer on maintenance.

[@SouthernMan72]

Man, Jesse Ventura knows all the secrets.

[@Sarg3e]

Underrated comment

[@outonthetiles]

😂😂😂😂

[@christopherwiegandt4250]

Lmfao. Brilliant

[@Moon_dinosaurs]

If it was Jesse Ventura, he would’ve talked about the Kabbalah statue across the street

[@DraxOBrien]

Damn just spit out my coffee haha

[@joesmith6972]

I would attend one Masters before 100 Super Bowls. That place is just that special.

[@paws057]

We went to a Wednesday practice round a few years ago and I have to say that was the best time I've ever had on a golf course. The people who work there are some of the friendliest and helpful people you'll find. The food was great and very reasonable in price. It was almost like your mom made you a sandwich! The course was as beautiful as you would expect too. If you ever get a chance to go there, go!

[@NewEngland721]

Tomorrow! Excited

[@MD20-20]

What a cool interview. I forget that it literally takes an army of people to make this tournament happen. No wonder it’s the best tournament of the year!

[@MC-nb6jx]

Not really 🙄🙄 Tricked up course, no rough, it’s pretty I’ll give you that, but it’s not the best course out there far, far over manicured..

[@SA-wc2kf]

@@MC-nb6jxTroll

[@arthurfenn4926]

Was there watching a practice round about 5 years ago. You think you know what to expect but the actual experience is something else. Just hope i get to go again.

[@douglasthompson9482]

These skills are beyond belief. I am a horticulturalist and cannot believe the skill that goes into the maintenance of Augusta National. I am in awe…

[@nicolasmorgan2167]

Elaborate? What blows you away most?

[@user-rs5kn1lo8h]

@@nicolasmorgan2167the equipment for one. If all golf courses had the equipment Augusta has it would be easy.

[@kevinsnelgrove4078]

I laud these unsung heroes of golf’s pinnacle course, tournament and tradition. Thanks to their dedication, it’s the best sports entertainment week EVERY year.

[@navelriver]

Says the salesman from Pinnacle! But you are right!

[@randyporter3491]

Everything described comes from true "pride". These caretakers deem it an honor to be part of almost sacred ground in their eyes and take massive pride in the skill and attention to the smallest detail. Beyond impressive.

[@divindave6117]

Man I love these greenskeeper videos. No one does it like ANG. It's just amazing what those guys do and how well they do it. I would love to see lots more of this.

[@Sarg3e]

No one does it like them because no one has the money to do it like them

[@MizunoIronMan]

Hard not to watch this and think it's not Club Pro Guy !

[@ahol9120]

I was just gonna post is this Club Pro Guy! Lol

[@Randsurfer]

If the we couldn't hear the questions being asked, it would be perfect.

[@alorlando8095]

For more information about Augusta National, stop by the learning center!

[@chadfahey8529]

it's definitely him!

[@stephenwebster3335]

Went this year for the first time and was lucky enough to be there for the weekend rounds. It is everything you would imagine and much, much more. Top 5 bucket list item for anyone who even likes golf. It is a religious experience.

[@Michelinman420]

Got to go to Tuesday practice this year, by far the most immaculate course I have ever seen. Even the driving range has 100x better greens and sand than any course out there. quite a treat

[@paratroopdawg]

I was there Tuesday as well. My 5th time overall. You have to experience it to fully appreciate it.

[@camposcreations2323]

I'm so hyped for this weekend. Non golfers will never understand 😂

[@Tom-ok2rh]

I agree…the golf season doesn’t really start until Masters Week..I watch every televised minute of it too

[@brossi5189]

Truth. Been watching since I was a child. 58 now and it makes me cry. Best part of the tradition. They take orders from no one. Love it

[@bobbyaxelrod5959]

I don’t golf and I understand

[@toddhoffman6503]

As a GC Superintendent, I have to say this is an excellent clip. The guy knows his shit. Augusta is what we wish our courses were, unfortunately, it sometimes becomes what golfers expect our courses to be. I’m ok with high expectations as long as my pay and budget are high as well.

[@batchelerjr]

Do you have a 2 or 4 year degree?

[@MMAjsf7]

Dork

[@jdhrap]

@@batchelerjr if he is Supt at a course that doesn’t have cows/goats for mowers…he most certainly has a Turf Mgt degree.

[@Tesla99]

I worked there beginning in 97 to like 2010 and then off/on and I remember the kettle beer jugs and we were under tents. Collie concessions was the name of the company. This place has come a long way. Amazing. When i played at the augusta county club you could see amen corner easy through the fence before they bought that piece of land. I still have 35mm camera roll pictures of tiger and his mom from back in the day.

[@Stitch-007]

Any negative about working there?

[@Tesla99]

@@Stitch-007 I didn’t experience anything negative on my side. Im the type of person that just gets the work done. I just worked and watched golf. Simple. Cool vibes from me. 😎 fun times. Dont know about the culture this present day though lol. Hard to find good people these days…

[@sampat10]

Best week of the year. I always take this week off because it's my daughter birthday (and it's the masters) so excited!!

[@chrispalmer9952]

You mean... ITS THE MASTERS!! (and my daughters birthday)

[@jcallen21]

Well except this year. Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom comes out may 12th. That's the biggest event of 2023

[@chrispalmer9952]

@@jcallen21 Yep.... for sure ..... if you are 12....

[@joso5554]

This is the Mona Lisa of golf. The ultimate masterpiece. And a living one. Augusta National truly is one of the most iconic landmarks of the USA. Let’s start the Holy Week of golf.

[@mikeglynn5824]

Rather watch this every year than the Superbowl! Never ever gets old now I have my sons into it! Tradition

[@davevanhoose6573]

It’s a one of a kind Nothing compares to the Masters

[@therestorationshop]

I've been very fortunate to have played many times, mostly in the winter. The vents from the sub-air system blow hot and a nice place to stop above and warm your hands!

[@marcclement7396]

You are so fortunate to be able to warm your hands during a round of golf. Such bravery. How do you manage?

[@therestorationshop]

@@marcclement7396 Years of therapy , lol

[@DD-pz3kf]

Next time you play, message me 😢

[@taylorberlin7892]

The first time I ever went to Augusta, I swear we thought the grass we were walking on was fake turf... It is amazing how beautiful the grass is, white the sand is and Colorful the trees and bushes are. You will hear this all the time from people who have been, TV Does it absolutely no justice. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

[@ethanmichalski1247]

4:00-4:40 Im at a Top 10 CC in Michigan, and sod replacement takes days-weeks to look unnoticeable. Crazy how ANGC can manage this, and do it all on the fly not planned.

[@getwhatyougive]

I worked at Desert Mountain in Arizona. We replaced sod and you really could not tell aside from spot watering it frequently.

[@bedriven6836]

Was lucky enough to go in place of someone else this year on Tuesday. In the few hours I got to walk around, I remember more detail about this course than any I've played. Immaculate

[@washredskin887]

The attention to detail is second to none.

[@patrickpennington9442]

I can't wait to see what @ClubProGuy does with content. Can't imagine this being much different than the effort that has gone into 3 Jack National

[@chiefstonio3183]

Alright lmao guys a groundskeeper and yall hiding him like he’s a government whistleblower this gotta be the funniest shit ive ever seen

[@Justin_Ports]

I just worked at a private course this past late summer/fall as a greens mower. I’ve gained massive amounts of respect for any golf maintenance crew member. It takes lots of work and pride to get a course looking pristine. Also free golf too so it was well worth working there 😂

[@ariesnc6320]

I was stationed at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia while in the Army. It was crazy during Masters week.

[@dreamonline1996]

As someone who knows a handful of people who regularly works The National everything I’ve heard is spot on. My fun story is that I worked it back in high school (different area but still had a blast)

[@spencjon4822]

I don't really get the appeal of professional athletics, but I'm super impressed by the work ethic/passion/excellence shown by these professionals.

[@heydeereman1040]

I have my Turfgrass degree. A couple guys that I went to school with went to work on Augusta

[@theseshisneverover6472]

Sub air in the crosswalk just blew my mind

[@youknoweverything7643]

I use to work at magnolia Grove aka Robert Trent Jones golf trail one of the courses on the trail through our Alabama in mobile Alabama. And the LPGA use to pay a huge tournament there every year back when I was in highschool I worked there every summer from grade 9-12 during summer time cause my parents was best friends with the superintendent, well when the tournament would come up we would shut down that one course which is the crossing we have three different courses at that golf course country club and we would spend the whole month before 9 weeks prepping the course, all the sand traps had every single thing removed out of them that was not sand like tiny pebbles and even a single pin straw was removed spotless and groomed perfectly with white fluffy squeaky sand, the line straw on the outside of the roigh we would pick through it and make sure there isn't anything in it and it's laid nice and flat and evenly with out a single stick or pinecone. The fairways was cleaned and we would walk them in a line across the whole fairway picking up everything from a tiny pebbles to stocks and pinecones and leaf and pin straw off the fairways the prep work was crazzy and that course was spotless by the time the tournament weekend came around. And we would also in-between golfers go out fix the divots and press down and pack the green between each player toake sure it was perfect for each player the amount of work and prep was insane I got laid really good but worked 15-19 hour days. And we would have ppl come to watch us the day before doing the famous flying v with the mowers like Augusta national does. And we would replace sod on the tee boxes in between groups with 20-30 guys doing it when it would get all rutted up from everyone hitting off it on the par 3s tee boxes and around the greens in fairway where the most used or popular spots was to land the ball to hit a iron shot to green it would be so rutted up after so many players we would replace it with strips of fresh sod between groups and with 50 guys it was quick especially the tee boxes we literally laid massive carpets of sod down the day before so we could roll it up take out with tractor and roll new carpet of sod down on minutes between groups so the tee box wouldnt be a messy divot and rutted up half way through the day

[@qjones6109]

This is the golf content I want

[@OnlineShoppingMustHaves1]

Very cool!

[@JK-cu7mh]

You can’t fool me, I know that’s Club Pro Guy

[@johnnyrodriguez5938]

Anyone else feel the Augusta Flu kicking in, might have to stay home tomorrow 🤒

[@NitrogenFertilizer]

Great video

[@nbt3663]

CPG giving his personal assessment. 😂

[@godsdozer]

played there last fall. carved my initials in the tee box with divots. before I finished the hole, they had it fixed.

[@MichaelmaxxxxX]

how dare you llol

[@hosoiarchives4858]

I enjoyed this video

[@ericbogar9665]

You really have to hide this guy? 😂😂😂😂

[@marcclement7396]

He ran over a chipmunk mowing and they had to secretly dispose of the body.

[@user-fk6cq9dd2b]

Fun Fact: They fly in a woman from the UK to cut the greens. She has been doing this for almost 20 years now.

[@teddyzamba1396]

I would expect the divot qualification to be of the highest standard, and no ordinary sod buster would be allowed within 10mi of the injury to the turf.

[@1789ep]

was 100% expecting this to be CPG

[@MikeyD22]

Crazy! Who knew that Bill Walton is now a golf superintendent??

[@geraldduncan5646]

Okay Mikey, you say it’s Bill Walton, while someone else credited Jesse Ventura as the really knowledgeable groundskeeper. I’m betting they’re be a name or two dropped in the comment section. Yours was pretty spot on.👍

[@Christopher0632]

Is this guy in Witness Protection? LOL

[@marcclement7396]

He ran over a chipmunk mowing and they had to secretly dispose of the body.

[@Shakawhenthewallsfell102]

Wow, just wow.

[@jeremeymiller3406]

TV doesn’t do this course justice of just how immaculate, challenging and Undulating this course is next to St. Andrews and a few others this is one of the most prolific courses of all time designed by one of the greatest and most honorable golfers of all time if only he could see how far the game, the technology and this tournament has come. It’s also one of the only courses I can think of that is shrouded in mystery for no apparent reason like you said even if someone were to get the inside scoop on everything this golf course does to Achieve this level of perfection there is no way 99.9% of courses can even afford copy them that’s one thing I never really understood I understand keeping some stuff exclusive but for a lot of stuff it doesn’t make sense to me that they are so tight lipped about the most benign things like they are protecting Area 51 or something I think it’s also an ego thing it’s like “i know something you do t know “ like they are sworn to secrecy it’s very strange but I guess it just adds to the mystic and the exclusivity hell they just started letting women play in recent years . And I don’t know what this guy is smoking but there isn’t a course on planet earth that costs $10k a round the most expensive to my knowledge are around $1000. I guess if you were just rolling in it and you could afford only playing a couple times year it would be that much with the initial membership cost, green fees and yearly dues but I’m sure that’s a very small number. If you know a member a single round is only going to cost you between $500-600 but the membership might as well be unobtanium for the average joe even if you have the money kinda like buying a Rolex for retail😆 it’s a shame they don’t let more people experience it’s beauty and it could be done obviously one of the main reasons course do go private is to keep out the hackers and inexperienced golfers from damaging the course so that could be remedied by holding qualifiers to weed out those golfers this course would be a nightmare for beginners and they could double or triple their greens fees for non members and people would gladly pay it still I think that would be pretty cool even if it was only available for a short period of time.

[@KM-em9me]

The course is there to showcase players who control the ball tightly and punish those who dont. Hooks and slices are going to run off those fairways into trees and streams. But flushed shots are rewarded by nice runs and short irons into the green.

[@tomm.w.2033]

Nice "Gangland" touch.

[@darcyanddutch]

This clandestine element of the video was a little over the top but I was riveted by the information disclosed. Ha! Cool content, fun video. I luv Masters Week!

[@tr5947]

@darcyanddutch You would think so, but it's totally necessary. No detail about the club is too small or insignificant that they don't want it protected. Revealing any information on the operation of the club for the sake of publicity for yourself (which is how it will be taken) guarantees a volunteer (or even a member) will never get inside the gates again.

[@PinGMaj]

Not really, these guys probably have to sign NDA’s to work there for the week

[@samdjavit]

I know A guy who was a green keeper for a number of years. Said it was the hardest job of his life.

[@DD-pz3kf]

Yep, that's Club Pro Guy for sure

[@oh10dude23]

You’d think this guy was on FBI most wanted list with the anonymous voice

[@TheChainChasers]

Working at ANGC was the greatest experience of my life

[@jimiverson3085]

What we see at Augusta is the product of unlimited resources being put to work. We shouldn't expect that from a golf course that serves mortals.

[@markhopkins222]

UNLIMITED my son contracts with the National he does all the pressure washing. It went from a couple of months a year to full time . He spend 50+ days straight right up to Friday before the Tournament. They say this needs done we don't care what it takes have it done at this date.

[@cameronhogan2112]

My friend Dave Fox (aka the goat) is going here to watch the masters, so sick.

[@ianhipgrave1660]

Jessie the body spilling the beans😅

[@GWills-ys6rd]

It's so good to see Fred Ridley speaking to the players. It fills me with pride that The Masters remains impartial to the LIV Golf issue. It will be so good to see the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed warmly welcomed for their past golfing achievements and not politics.

[@MrDanSchulte]

Khashoggi

[@westonhull7595]

It’s never good to see Bubba or Fat Pat welcomed anywhere

[@runningkirkwa2934]

Nobody likes patrick reed. His wife is the devil.

[@fred5727]

What I'd like to know is... how do they cut the grass so perfectly along the creeks and keep the clippings from going into the water?

[@danielriggs9878]

He said "Rough" you shall say "Second Cut" You're fired........😆

[@michaelfranklinwhibley2935]

Volu send bunker resembles Bengal tiger as seen from low orbit rough way bunker

[@michaelfranklinwhibley2935]

There's tiger trap there's tiger trap

[@tvs3497]

That's a long way from any course I'll ever play on. How come I never see a porta-john during the Masters? Are they painted a special camoflauge or something?

[@CaribSurfKing1]

I played Augusta CC 2 month after Adam Scots’s win. You could look over Amen corner and the 13th tee. I looked up 13, it looked like the conditions of a muni. All the bunkers on 12 had black plastic liners in them. It was a little shocking to see it in early summer when they let it go

[@coloradoraptorguy9250]

That’s what the ryegrass naturally does in summer. It’s the price you pay for lush green grass in the fall and spring. I’m pretty sure they shut it all down the week after the masters until like Oct?

[@dwboston1]

It's a fall/winter/early spring club. They shut down shortly after the Masters for the summer. That's when they do all of their upgrades/improvements to the course.

[@brianbentley5280]

Two months after would put it in June, when things are at their worst. However, by late summer that same bermuda base is in superb condition as they work all summer to get it that way. Ironically, it is the grass unseen during the club season and the Masters that is the real key to the whole thing as the bermuda serves as the true, "catcher of the rye" come mid September when overseeding is in full swing. It is essential to have that great bermuda base to overseed into every year. When one walks out there at the Masters and notices that soft, sort of "cushiony" feel under ones feet....that is the bermuda base underneath the rye overseed. Without it, the rye would never "take" as well as it does and would be much less uniform in coverage.

[@JosePlata]

Tree(s) fell down on 17 during match play... what's the damage control for something like that look like???

[@brendansmith6565]

As I live near Rory's home course Hollywood I'm rooting for him to win and make the GrandSlam. Love your videos.

[@Starryplough1916]

That aged well 😂

[@joeyd4853]

I like how this guys voice is changed and face blacked out like he's a coke dealer on a vice interview

[@Sergio-ek4ou]

What’s with the secrecy?

[@mikemorrison7774]

Wow, I had no Idea Jesse Ventura was a grounds keeper at Augusta...

[@deanbell4070]

Tell us more about the tunnels George. 😜

[@kennypridemore5466]

Patrons are just as important .... now that's what you want to hear from a awesome beautiful golf course of Agusta .... its a joy to see it every year on TV, I just can't imagine how beautiful it is when your there in person ..... the closest I've ever got there is when the wife and i accidently turn into one of the entrances and was met with an arm guard .... Lol !!!! Well it truly was an accident that we turn into there ..... this was probably 10 years ago , that's probably be the closest we'll ever come to see our most favorite golf ⛳ course.

[@gd1361]

Club Pro Guy.. he's come a long way from 3 Jack National

[@Mark7limited]

I like golf but these guys are crazy to work for this for big brother

[@SA-wc2kf]

According to who, you? Lol

[@Mark7limited]

@@SA-wc2kf yeah work for nothing while Augusta , networks, sponsors and golfers make millions

[@markhuru]

I worked parking cars there, one great story I heard was a pine tree fell on a Mercedes, green jackets showed up with cash sent guy to merc dealer, with in 24 hrs they removed and replaced the tree with a tree exactly like the one that fell , I’m talking the parking lot. I also worked uniforms, they supply all staff with specific uniforms, which are returned thousands of pieces, they over staff when there could be one they have 3, if you think you can even glimpse the inside playing area they have fences and shrubs, it’s like fort knoxs

[@ericbogar9665]

My son got a job parking there.

[@YTStoleMyUsername]

Interesting to read this now that more trees just fell lol

[@johnroach7607]

What if the last mower in the V has a hydraulic leak? ;) Who throws the tennis ball?

[@ikigai47]

I think if I was visiting on mow day I'd have to throw a tennis ball out there just to watch them all freak out

[@Quuantix]

They mow twice a day everyday

[@Chuckschwartz]

Making it sound like it’s BUDS training

[@user-zk4sj6jb5m]

I guy told me he was a score keeper at the Masters every year. He said it stinks because they put fertilizer around the azaleas and when it rains it really smells bad 😱

[@philbob99]

Men in Black --- " Best of the Best of the Best, sir!" 😂

[@BurnedSpace]

WEST POINT, TOP OF MY CLASS SIR!

[@TwinGoats]

As an assistant super, this is crazy….

[@DIOS10]

Sooooo after all that. How can one obtain a membership?

[@planeiron241]

By Invitation only

[@divindave6117]

Invitation only.

[@kurthahn175]

If you're asking about it,you can't

[@duaneross9271]

I like Agusta more now

[@martinl2930]

Jessie the body Ventura???

[@bushwhackeddos.2703]

They found this guy, and he’s now under a bunker.

[@michaelmccarthys4116]

Rey Rey’s Creek

[@bstives58]

Sounds like any US Open!

[@tomshea8382]

Bill Walton sure does keep himself busy

[@rickchristie99]

I can’t tell if this was a joke or not..probably not lol

[@TFJ4061]

The snobbery is incredible

[@donniejacobmedia]

Great video! Why anonymous tho?

[@TheNewNationPodcast]

Augusta most likely has NDA's about info on the course

[@danmyers9372]

Just ask Gary McCord. They are beyond uptight about their image.

[@cam7248]

@@TheNewNationPodcast they can have their attorney's write NDA's but can't pay them a reasonable wage. Makes sense!

[@PinGMaj]

NDA’s to work there for the week.

[@PinGMaj]

@@cam7248being picked to be a volunteer worker is a springboard for your turf career. The connections you make are more valuable than any wage they could pay you for the week.

[@gerardmcbryde3156]

I want to know why there are no ducks on any of the lakes ? What have they done to them ?

[@jeffbehringer1262]

Club Pro Guy is finally moving up. All his experience at Three Jack National are paying off.

[@jdhrap]

I get ANGC is a special course…this guy said / provided nothing that is so secretive that he needs to be backlit and have the Prince of Darkness for his voice over.

[@HowieFeltersnatchMD]

“Zee grounds crew is merely a worker, zhey mustn’t be treated as equals. You are nothing, merely a cog in our wheel.”

[@rcvaroundtheworld6217]

I never knew they do stuff while guys are playing

[@shanesutter8051]

Pretty sure once the final group is off the tee, the groundscrew moves in a hole or two behind and starts at it.

[@jimmyrancourt8062]

How many employees full time for the course only all year long? 30? 40?

[@markhopkins222]

most of the work is contracted out my son has the contract for doing the pressure washing. Its full time he did 50+ straight days right up to the tournament. $2000 a week with the overtime.

[@jimmyrancourt8062]

@@markhopkins222 really nice

[@youknoweverything7643]

I have also played 3 rounds of golg at augusta and even on regular non tournament weeks its a magnificent course the fairways are like putting greens at most of the courses in united states its nuts i putted a 50 yd put and made it into the hole once there it was nuts for a eagle. And i didnt pay for the rounds a vendor dod thst we use for materials for projects building oil atforns we do electrical and instrumentation work and those hundred million dollar conrracts with vendors they love it anf take us to places like Augusta and anywhere else in the world liel st andrews pld course i played 5 times already

[@pillwolak]

Why is there so much secrecy behind this course?