Perspective from the 19^th Hole is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

As a golf fan, this is one of my favorite weeks of the year.  I get to watch the Masters Golf Tournament, as it is called, “A Tradition Unlike Any Other.”

As I get ready for the first round today, I have reflected on words and rules at the Masters, some of which relate to my first and only visit to the tournament in 2015.

Here is a quick summary:

• Persons who attend the Masters are not called “spectators.”  They are called “patrons.”  If a TV announcer makes a mistake and uses the word spectator, either he or she corrects the error immediately or they might be barred from future coverage.

• When you enter Masters grounds for the tournament, you are not allowed to run.  If you do, you might get kicked out, for there are staff people everywhere.

• And, if you choose to watch parts of the tournament sitting on the ground somewhere, fine.  But just don’t lie down.  If you do, you’ll be asked to sit up.

• Also, if you have a golf hat on, don’t wear it backwards.  If you do, you’ll be asked immediately to turn it around.

I said earlier that there are staff people all around the site.  That’s something I noticed clearly back in 2015.

I also noticed a job I would not want to have.  Forgive this clarity, but it was a staff in the men’s restroom who, as you entered the “building” (yes, all such facilities at the Masters are in buildings, not tents), took a moment to tell you where to go next. 

Tough job.  And it lasted all day, each day.

Finally, in this blog, I list my five favorites for the Masters’ winner this time around:  Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Speith, Justin Thomas, and Ludwig Aberg.

So, for the next four days, if you bother me, you’ll be competing with the Masters.  So be it.