On course at the New Zealand Open
Fully kitted up – image Photosport NZ
I would be the last person to suggest the role of on-course commentator at a televised golf tournament is rocket science, but some aspects of the role make the task a lot more demanding and extensive than many might think.
I have been involved in on-course commentary since first invited to perform the role by the ABC at the 1995 Canon Challenge in Sydney, my latest involvement being at the recent New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport near Queenstown in New Zealand’s Central Otago and thought it might be of interest to outline a day in such a role.
The New Zealand Open has developed into one of the must-play events on the PGA Tour of Australasia schedule, and the same could be said for those involved in covering the event for Sky Sport in New Zealand. It is an event and region we welcome the chance to be involved in the broadcast.
A team of around 90 people are involved, most of those coming from other parts of New Zealand and, in the case of the commentary team, from the Gold Coast of Australia in my case and the newest member of our team Anthony Kang who is a regular on the Asian Tour’s coverage of their events (Singapore). Phil Tataurangi (Auckland), Greg Turner (Arrowtown) and interviewer Storm Purvis (Auckland) are the New Zealand-based members of the commentary team.
The Sky Sport Crew at a recent New Zealand Open
For me, the week typically begins with the Steve Williams caddy clinic and BBQ the tournament managers have adopted to provide information and entertainment for the many caddies the 300 or so amateurs and professionals lining up in the 72-hole event require.
Many caddies are regulars and very experienced but there are those who are caddying for the first time and the caddy clinic and BBQ provides an opportunity for all to meet others, get a few tips, listen to some caddying stories, and settle into the week.
The Caddy Clinic carries the name of Steve Williams, seen by all as the game’s most successful ever caddy with 151 wins worldwide with players such as Greg Norman, Raymond Floyd, Tiger Woods, and Adam Scott, 14 of those wins in majors.
It is my role to MC the event while Steve adds his thoughts and presence. We also include a player to give his thoughts on the role of the caddy and add colourful stories and this year it was Australian Anthony Quayle who provided a humorous take on what he sees as important for a caddy to not only do a good job but to enjoy the experience also.
This year nearly 100 or so caddies turned up to the sausage sizzle and beers put on by the tournament .
Steve Williams and Anthony Quayle – passing on tips at the caddy clinic
On Wednesday my focus switches to the on-course role, a morning meeting with the production and commentary team to determine the direction for the coverage, and any new thoughts the team had.
A rehearsal is scheduled for the afternoon to ensure we are all familiar with the systems and equipment being used and while this seldom throws up any real issues it is an important means of getting those involved to shake off a bit of rust, isolate any issues and prepare for the opening day’s coverage on Thursday.
Each day of the tournament I really enjoy getting out to the golf course early, grabbing a golf cart and heading out ahead of the early play to investigate the hole locations cut for the day, roll balls around the holes to determine any subtle breaks and to get an overall feel for how the course has been set up and how it is likely to play for the day.
For me, in the majestic backdrops that are such a feature of Wakatipu Basin and everywhere you look around the Queenstown / Arrowtown region, getting out onto the golf course early is such a treat and one I love doing for the good of the inner sole never mind the information it provides.
On-course early morning research
The flip-flop nature of the two courses on the opening two days meant that the course and pin positions remained the same on day two so a sleep-in back at the hotel was possible on Friday as there was no need to repeat the due diligence of day one.
By 9.00 I am looking for breakfast and with another 5½ hours before our coverage starts there is plenty of time to catch up with old friends, talk to players and others in trying to gain as much knowledge as possible about little titbits that might be useable in the telecast.
A production meeting is normally scheduled for 11.00am each day of the event to determine final angles for coverage, interviews for inclusion, guests for commentary box appearances, and in my case, just who I would be following later in the day, typically a marquee group of the leading players in the field.
On day one it would involve the recently crowned Australian PGA Champion Elvis Smylie and two-time winner already this season Jack Buchanan of South Australia and their two amateur playing partners.
The inclusion of a composite layout made up of nine holes from each of the Coronet and Remarkable courses at Millbrook Resort for the weekend play would result in a spilt focus for the opening two days due to camera availability and so I would be with Smylie and Buchanan for the holes between the 6th and 9th of the Remarkables layout at which point I would then be driven the higher areas of the Coronet Course to walk with Lucas Herbert and Curtis Luck.
On day two I was with Travis Smyth and Ian Snyman, initially, then Ben Campbell and Steve Alker as they played the final nine of the Coronet layout.
Despite being driven to the top of the course the Coronet Nine involves a rather lengthy walk over significant changes in elevation and having recently had a leg operation I was pleased to get through without any consequences.
Let’s fast-forward to Sunday and the final round where I was assigned the final group involving the eventual winner Ryan Peak from Perth and the four-shot 54-hole leader, Guantek Koh of Korea.
While our coverage did not begin until 2.30pm I like to walk with my assigned group from the time they hit off around 1.00pm which allows me to get a feel of how things are progressing and whether there is any chink in the armour of the leader.
Once coverage starts, then there is a greater need for awareness as to what is happening on course and in the commentary box.
In the on-course role, it is not just a case of saying what you want when you want but rather fitting into a rhythm with those in the commentary box.
This year we had three commentators in the booth plus regular guests and so it was important for me to not talk over those already talking, some of whom were not always aware of my presence on air and I had to pick my moments to contribute without embarrassing them or myself. Once or twice I did !
There were plenty of moments when I wanted to make a comment but couldn’t although I did have the luxury this year of being able to put myself to air when I felt appropriate via a switch on my pack which allows me to speak on air or talk to or hear from the broadcast truck rather than wait to be put to air.
The role itself involves getting the information on distances, lie, wind direction, strategies, danger areas to avoid etc and any other information or thoughts I feel relevant before stepping away from an area where I could possibly be overheard by the player.
The thin air in the Wakatipu Basin, given it is around 1000 feet above sea level and areas of water around the course which carry voices, makes being discreet more important than perhaps elsewhere and so putting yourself in a position to talk freely is important.
While many of the shots I comment on are live, some are off-tape due to congestion and clashing of shots at any one time and advertisement breaks and while I have successfully negotiated calling such shots in my years in the role, the preference for the producer and director at Millbrook was for me to comment only when coming live to my group.
A device I now carry and which has proven invaluable is a mobile phone on a clipboard (see picture) which provides instantaneous vision of what is being shown on-screen with no delay. It was devised by the brilliant sound manager we had for the tournament and allows me to comment on what is being shown without second-guessing. If only I had this years ago!
As the final stages of the event developed it became clear that Ryan Peake was on track for a surprise but welcome victory. His well-documented backstory garnered a great deal of support from the spectators and while I carried a certain amount of sympathy for the four-shot overnight leader, Koh, who had been brilliant over the weekend, the victory by Peake and what it meant for his future was heartwarming.
It capped off yet another very enjoyable week in one of the nicest parts of the world.
Millbrook’s tournament course finishing hole – image Photosport NZ
