Masters insider

INTERVIEW WITH DEREK SPRAGUE

Derek Sprague is excited about the future of golf.

The Malone, N.Y., native took over as president of the PGA of America in November, and he is in Augusta this week to mix with golf’s other power brokers.

The first item of business for Sprague was Sunday’s Drive, Chip and Putt competition. In its second year, Sprague said the event aimed at youngsters 7 to 15 is a good start for getting kids interested in golf.

From there, Sprague said, they can move on to the PGA Junior League.

“They play nine holes in a fun format with a team uniform,” Sprague said. “Hopefully, we’ll see some future Ryder Cup players come out of our PGA Junior League.”

Sprague sees signs that golf business is beginning to pick up after the recent economic downturn.

“I’m encouraged by the numbers we’re seeing recently,” he said. “Even though there is flat or marginal growth, one percent or something like that, that’s a good turnaround.”

The PGA is also working hard to create opportunities for women in the game, Sprague said. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will be held June 11-14 in Westchester, N.Y.

“Diversity and inclusion are a huge part of our core mission at the PGA of America, and to really focus on getting more women in the game this is just a natural event for us to host,” Sprague said.

Also, longtime PGA member Suzy Whaley is in line to become president of the organization. She was elected secretary last year and is the organization’s first female officer. In 2003, she became the first woman in more than 50 years to qualify for a PGA Tour event.

Sprague is also focused on the success of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, which has not won the biennial event with Europe since 2008.

“Obviously, every Ryder Cup is important to win, but I was really pleased with how the Ryder Cup task force and now the Ryder Cup committee is that they’re not just focused on 2016,” Sprague said. “They’re looking at the next 10 Ryder Cups, the next 20 years, of reversing that current record of 2-8 to 8-2.”

HISTORY LESSON

Wednesday’s Par-3 Contest is all about fun and family. When it began in 1960, the focus was more on wining the competition.

Of course, little did Sam Snead know that the winner would be “jinxed.”

No Par-3 winner has ever gone on to win the tournament proper in the same year.

THE LIST

Masters and Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Billy Payne will hold his annual news conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Here are some topics he is expected to address:

5 Olympic golf: The sport returns to the Summer Games next year in Brazil.

4 Berckmans Road: Will the realignment of the road next year open up some room for eventual course expansion?

3 Field size: The Masters came close to having 100 players this year. Will any changes be made to the qualification process?

2 Expanding the game: Does the Masters have any new initiatives in the works?

1 Ike’s Tree: What are the plans, if any, to replace the iconic tree, which was lost during the 2014 ice storm?