“Masters” ZOOM sessions for Irish Club Managers

Kevin Bozada, Clubhouse Manager at Augusta National with 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia

Since the beginning of the Covid 19 crisis, the IGCMA set out to keep all its members  on the island of Ireland informed and up to date with what was a very fluid  and fast moving situation.

There were interviews with Golf Ireland, World Handicapping, BRS Golf Now, a social media seminar and all carried out in a weekly ZOOM session every Thursday at 11.00am.

These sessions have proved invaluable to our membership disseminating important information at critical times and enabling them to keep on top of developments both for themselves and their club.

Last week’s session on Nov5th), had a special contributor in Kevin Bozada, Clubhouse Manager at Augusta National. Kevin has been a good friend to us over the years, having made his maiden presentation to club managers in Croke Park in 2015.

He very kindly explained all the different aspects of running the tournament this year under the current restrictions. This year’s Masters Tournament is so special in many ways, coming as it does in November, rather than April and, as a result of COVID 19, will not have any patrons present either. However, despite this lack of an audience, the arrangements that had to be put in place were greater than any normal Masters Tournament and very challenging indeed to the Augusta Management.

Standards of customer service, facilities management and catering are already at the highest possible level in Augusta National, even without the Covid threat. But now this has introduced a whole new level of processes, standards etc so as to keep everybody safe, while at the same time trying to ensure that the “Masters Experience” is still there as per their wonderful tradition. The PGA has its own bubble, for players and officials, as has Augusta National for its staff and members.

The club brought its overseeding program forward this year to ensure the course will be in tip top condition and autumn should lend a very different colour background to viewers all around the world. Many other initiatives have been introduced to ensure patrons still get the opportunity to experience some aspect of the Masters.

Patrons with tickets for the 2020 Masters have been given access to a special web on-line store so they can purchase 2020 merchandise and their 2020 ticket will be valid for the 2021 tournament. It was great to hear first hand, the level of commitment to safety, staff training and  the countless other aspects of putting one of the greatest golfing tournaments in the world together in these unprecedented times.

Our thanks to Kevin for sharing this with us.  There were lessons there for everyone in club management. We all look forward to a wonderful tournament this week.

Michael F Walsh CCM is Executive Officer of the Irish Golf & Club Managers Association. Club managers interested in further Informatio should call Michael on 087 2576728