I had the amazing opportunity to experience the first day of the PGA TOUR Championship as a media correspondent. Watching the PGA professionals tee off, activities for the public, and visiting the special lounges from the perspective of the media was a very special experience. As I reflect on my evolution from a spectator when Tiger Woods made his epic comeback, serving as a standard bearer for 3 years, and now media correspondent, I am beyond excited.

My day began by traveling around the course with Clay Cribbs, who is the Social Media Manager for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. Our first stop was to watch Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy tee off on hole number one. I had the surprise of seeing musical stars Usher and Rick Ross riding past me on the way to the first tee box. It was very gratifying to see the energy and excitement of the fans watching their favorite players. I was already aware of the importance of the PGA TOUR Championship, but this showed me the significance of the TOUR Championship to the fans and how meaningful these memories are.

Throughout the day, Clay and I also visited the Delta Lounge, the So Cool Zone, the YouTube Lounge, and the Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA) Putting Experience so he could capture the involvement of key partners, including Accenture, Coca-Cola, and Southern Company. While Clay captured these moments, I was able to participate in some of the activities, like putting at the GSGA Experience and the swing simulator in the YouTube Lounge. This exposure deepened my understanding of the different partners. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed capturing the beautiful scenery of the East Lake golf course.

During a brief moment in the Media Center, I had the privilege to meet and interview Dan Moriarty, a CNN Sports Producer. We discussed various aspects of his job, such as setting up interviews with athletes, creating scripts for reporters, and sending scripts to editors. He also shared his experiences visiting cities around the world while covering multiple Olympic Games over the years. Lastly, he told me about the challenges of having to maneuver and change his perspective or strategy due to unexpected challenges. I connected with this statement because there is always going to be an unexpected obstacle that you will have to endure, and what matters is how you deal with it; in life and in golf.

Ultimately, as a Junior golfer who has attended the PGA TOUR Championship three times before, it was amazing to experience it from the perspective of the media. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and the profound impact it has had on my enjoyment of golf.

By Jordyn Hanes, Drew Charter School Junior and Varsity Golfer