Dottie Pepper covers Masters for ESPN

UNDER THE OAK TREE

Dottie Pepper, 48, is part of ESPN’s coverage team at the Masters this week. She won 17 times on the LPGA Tour, including two majors, and retired from competition in 2004. She also has worked as a commentator for NBC and Golf Channel, and she is the author of two children’s books. She is in the second year of a three-year term on the PGA of America’s board of directors, and her focus is on junior golf.

Q: Tell us about your first time coming to the Masters?

A: 1987. I had won the Lady Paladin Invitational at Furman on Saturday. The head of development said, “I have a couple of tickets for the Masters tomorrow; would you like to go?” I couldn’t sleep. I drove down with a teammate. We got here so early. By the time the day had completely unfolded, we had scooted down 10 with the playoff. We stood on 12 tee and we were thinking Larry Mize has missed the green, Greg Norman has a long putt, they’ll be going to 12 for sure. We saw Mize chip in. Game over. We had a great seat, but it didn’t matter.

Q: Have you ever played Augusta National?

A: I came here in December and did the whole experience. We managed to play all 18 of the big course and the Par-3. I shot 80, but it wasn’t terrible because it was so cold.

Q: What are you doing for ESPN this week?

A: Predominantly SportsCenter segments and live hits throughout the day. We do a preview show late Wednesday afternoon. Mostly, I’ll be on early in the day previewing what’s going to happen.

Q: Tell us about your role with the PGA of America.

A: I am halfway through that term and sit on three committees, including Youth and Family Golf. I watched (Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals) when it came on the air Sunday. I thought it was just fantastic. I think what was really great is all 50 states will now have qualifiers. The fact that it’s going to every PGA section this year, it can’t help but grow.

Q: What’s your prediction for this week?

A: Given the fact there is a great weather forecast, and a firm forecast, I don’t think the scoring is going to be fantastic. I think a couple under each day is going to put you in good position to put the jacket on Sunday afternoon.

Q: Can someone in this year’s rookie class win?

A: I think it’s legit. Fourteen of them are really rock stars. A guy like Jimmy Walker certainly has that ball flight going in his favor. A guy like Patrick Reed, who has played here. He doesn’t have tournament experience, but a ton of confidence.

ALL ABOUT ARNIE

Palmer is one of 11 Masters champions who have also won the Par-3 Contest.

Palmer’s win came in 1967 when he shot 4-under 23 and prevailed in a playoff.

No player has won both the Par-3 and the Masters in the same year, and Palmer’s win on the short course came three years after his final Augusta victory.

MASTERS SPEAK

Don’t use the word “trap” to describe one of the 44 sand hazards located at Augusta National. The preferred term is “bunker.”

Masters and Augusta National co-founder Bobby Jones thought the word “trap” was coarse.

The bright white sand is known as “spruce pine” sand and comes from the western part of North Carolina. It is a waste product of the mining process for feldspar. The club installed the sand after the 1974 Masters, according to the Masters Journal.

– John Boyette, sports editor