Fine Press Facilities At Augusta

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30769, 5 June 1965, Page 11

Fine Press Facilities At Augusta

[Specialty written for "The Press" by

E. R. MORRIS]

QN arrival at Augusta, after viewing the flags and “Welcome to the Masters” signs in every shop window. 1 took a four-mile taxi ride to the course, where for two dollars, thousands were watching the final practice rounds. A Pinkerton man opened the cab door and in the politest possible manner said "Sir, welcome to the Masters, but you do have a ticket?” I told him I was from New Zealand and explained the nature of my visit. At this his colleague took me to the secretary’s office. My escort and I then adjourned to the press “tent” which turned out to be a large two storey building. From a large box of envelopes each showing the name of press people expected from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa as well as all of the United States, the press secretary produced my credentials and told me how thrilled they were to have someone present from New Zealand. Carrying a portable typewriter to a sporting event on the other side of the world

can be something of a nuisance. No such problem arises at Augusta. The club hires more than 250 standard machines which are used free of charge, 200 of them in the big downstairs room, which houses among other things, the teleprinters and a huge scoreboard.

In the upstairs lounge players are interviewed after a good round, and closed circuit television, and a loudspeaker system, enable those in every part of the building to see and clearly hear the players comments and answers to the dozens of questions asked. These interviews are presided over in a most efficient manner by a press chairman.

Downstairs, another and more spacious lounge holds special dark rooms where photographs are developed on the spot, and food and refreshment of all kinds at any time of the day and most of the night, without charge to those authorised to enter.

Only press photographers are permitted to take a camera to the course. Only modern “almost noiseless” cameras are allowed. The

photographer then signs an agreement on behalf of his paper which states just what he can and cannot do with the shots he has taken. He is told how far to stand away from a player, at what stage of the swing he is permitted to take his picture, and where the photographer’s towers are. On the course many high towers are provided, some for writers, others for photographers, some for both: all provide excellent viewing, and are carefully guarded. The manner in which the leading scorers each day are interviewed is another example of superb organisation. Pressmen have access to the clubhouse and locker rooms, but when an exceptional score is posted, everyone wants to ask questions and to hear the full story. So at the final green, awaits a little runabout, to which the star performer is swiftly conducted and whisked away to the press room, almost before the autograph hunters have reached for their pencils.

Jack Nicklaus after his magnificent victory spent more than 90 minutes answering a continual battery of questions and on the way out his comments were recorded for radio. Then he was driven back to the safety of the locker room.