Insider: 'Golf Fix' host talks time at course

UNDER THE OAK TREE

Michael Breed, 51, is the host of The Golf Fix on Golf Channel and is also director of instruction at the Michael Breed Golf Academy in West Nyack, N.Y. He has worked as a golf professional at several clubs, including a stint as an assistant pro at Augusta National Golf Club from 1990-92. In 2012, he was selected PGA National Teacher of the Year. He returned to Augusta on Sunday to serve as an on-course commentator for the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

Q: What did you think of the inaugural Drive, Chip and Putt?

A: There was excitement everywhere, in every individual. I thought the membership was thrilled, and the kids and parents were out of their minds with excitement. They were living the dream.

Q: What do you see for the future of this event?

A: I think it gets families excited. It allows a mother and son or a father and daughter to get on the same field and participate in the same sport. Rarely does that happen in other sports. Everyone was just ecstatic.

Q: Tell us about your time at Augusta National.

A: I had the great fortune of being an assistant golf professional and worked the tournament from 1990-2001. I was involved in working with the National and assisting during the tournament on the golf professional side. It was an amazing experience.

Q: How did you break into TV?

A: Working at Augusta National I was influenced by a lot of people. One of those people was Dave Spencer, who was the head professional along with Bob Kletcke. Dave was the guy who had some friends in television.

Q: You are known for your high energy on your show. How do you keep that enthusiasm going?

A: I’m a very, very passionate person when it comes to the game of golf. I like to talk about the game from an instructional standpoint and share my passion for the game. I’ve got 42 minutes every week to help people get better. I don’t know any other way.

ALL ABOUT ARNIE

Palmer holds the records for best 18-hole and 36-hole scores for a golfer over 70 at the Masters.

In 2001, at age 71, Palmer shot 76 to establish the single-round record. Also that year, he played the first two rounds in 158 (82-76) to match the mark set by Gene Sarazen in 1972 (79-79).

MASTERS SPEAK

In Masters parlance, spectators and fans are called patrons.

The word has two primary definitions: 1) a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause or activity and 2) a customer, especially a regular one, of a store, restaurant or theater.

The latter is more applicable to the Masters, but when and why Augusta National started using the term for its loyal customers is unclear. It has been associated with the tournament for more than 60 years.

In the April 1, 1948, edition of The Augusta Chronicle, the word “patron” was used in an advertisement taken out by the Downtown Ticket Committee: “With each book of four series tickets you will receive a windshield sticker for your car identifying you as a Masters Tournament Patron.”

Most signs point to Augusta National co-founder Clifford Roberts for use of the word. In his book, The Story of the Augusta National Golf Club, he references how the patrons’ list was established in the early years by writing to golf clubs within 225 miles of Augusta and asking for a list of their members.