The First Tee Course Reporters

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Jorge Olivarria and Eric Pickard will be serving as Course Reporters from the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship this week.

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Day 2- Accenture Match Play by Eric Pickard

Yesterday we had the opportunity to sit in on a press conference for Alvaro Quiros from Spain. After the conference he was willing to spend some time with us. We talked about some of the differences between this tournament and others because this is match play. We also talked about how he deals with international travel and the changes in cultures and time zones. After this interview, we were able to make one last stop to the driving range to watch Tiger Woods hit some balls before we went home.

Today was the beginning of the tournament. Our first stop was the first teebox where we watched groups begin their day. The Commissioner, Tim Finchem of the PGA TOUR, was also there and we got to speak with him. He talked about the upcoming television negotiations and his role in player relations.

The First Tee reporters visit with Alvaro Quiros.

After lunch at the Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost, a place where all military personnel can go to watch the tournament and grab a free lunch, we got the opportunity to visit the television compound. This is where all of the shots are recorded, organized, and then streamed out to television companies to be shown across the world. The trailer we visited streams an international feed that will be seen by everyone outside of the United States and Canada. The small front trailer was packed with people giving information to the producer who was yelling back orders. In the back end, all of the sounds on the course were being recorded and matched with the video.

Our last stop was the ShotLink trailer. ShotLink is the company that provides all of the shots stats to the television companies and the spectators on the course. This is all accomplished with an army of volunteers trained to operate their special equipment. Some follow groups marking when each player hits a shot. Others are stationed around the course with special lasers that can determine the distance that shots were hit. All of this is managed by a crew of about five in the trailer and sent out to be used.

Meanwhile, a lot was happening in the tournament. Steve Stricker was beaten in his first match by Matteo Manassero, a 17-year-old from Italy. He is the youngest player to ever play in this event. Last year's defending champion, Ian Poulter, was also eliminated after losing his lead to Stewart Cink. Their match went to nineteen holes. Alvaro Quiros was unfortunately eliminated after twenty holes by Y.E. Yang.

It has been a pleasure to see how this golf tournament is run behind the scenes, and I had no idea that so many groups worked together to make it happen!

Day 2- Accenture Match Play by Jorge Olivarria

Today started of with a little snack and some juice. Then we watched a little practice on the range. Afterwards we met Chris Reimer, Manager of Communications with the PGA TOUR. He went to University of Arizona and played football, and is a very cool dude!

Later we got inside the ropes access at the first tee of the course and watched a few guys tee off to start their day. After watching those guys we met the Commissioner Finchem of the PGA TOUR. He told us about how George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States, is now Honorary Chairman of the First Tee. The commissioner was pretty cool also.

Around 11:30-12:00, we went to the Birdies for the Brave Patriots' Outpost. We ate lunch there; it was delicious -- Hooters hamburgers and wings. And the outpost was right at the 14th teebox. I got to see Ryo Ishikawa tee off! After lunch we went to the international television compound it was amazing to see the ways that all the stuff worked. We saw live coverage, and live shots before they even aired. We heard audio of the course that was matched to all the video shots. Cool deal in there. I want to go back...

The TV truck was cool but the ShotLink truck was so awesome! It showed the distance the players hit each of their shots and how far from the green they were. I want to back there too!

I know yesterday I said I couldn't get a picture of Tiger, but after I finished my last entry I went out to the range and I caught him. I took a few pictures and a video. To sum it all up I had the most amazing two days of my life. I would like to thank Dan Chelel for giving me this opportunity and my parents for their support. This is Jorge Olivarria saying peace out.

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Day 1- Accenture Match Play by Jorge Olivarria

Today at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship practice round I had a great time. Our day started of with World No. 2 Martin Kaymer's press conference which was pretty cool. Kaymer spoke about his strategy for this match and how fame has not changed him. Later we went to the TaylorMade truck and it's amazing what they can do. Wade, who constructs all the clubs, can make a driver in five minutes while other company trucks take 15-20 minutes to complete the same task. After that we had a nice Italian lunch...delicious!

Once lunch was done we walked toward the practice range. I looked at the stands, holy guacamole they were filled! We decided to sit in stands that were less crowded and I look across the way its TIGER, it's TIGER! I tried to get a picture but he was too far for me to get one. After that we met with Jeff Hendra, a physical therapist with Depuy Mitek, and he told us about how many PGA TOUR players see him before and after their round. There are two trailers where players can go to stretch and work out. Towards the end of the day we talked with PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents Helen Ross. She gave us tips about blogging and told us how she got to where she is now.

Today was a great experience and I got to meet some cool people. Tomorrow is the first round of the match play. I hope it's as good!

Day 1- Accenture Match Play by Eric Pickard

Today was my first day behind the scenes at the Accenture Match Play Championship. I have been to this tournament before through The First Tee, but I never realized how much is going on that most people never see. Throughout the day I have been given access to tents and trailers I never would have guessed even existed. I have also met with many PGA TOUR employees and volunteers from the Tucson Conquistadores that were willing to give me a taste of their jobs.

Our first stop was at the media tent. Here, reporters from all over the world are writing stories and editing video. In a smaller tent next door we sat in on a press conference with Martin Kaymer, a top ranked golfer from Germany. His answers impressed me with how sincere and down to earth they were. Even though he is ranked second in the world, he explained how he was still rarely recognized in the United States. He also talked about his fellow golfers with great respect saying that today it is dangerous to be playing any of the golfers here in match play because of how good the field has gotten.

We also visited the trailers behind the clubhouse. We met with the tournament's meteorologist, Stewart Williams, who is in charge of weather predictions for the week. He works alone in a small trailer looking at weather updates and predictions for the next week. His findings determine where tee boxes and holes will be placed and when play must be canceled for safety issues. Luckily for us, he doesn't have much to worry about until Sunday.

The next set of trailers belonged to physical therapists and athletic trainers. This is where all of the player go to train and stretch before and after their rounds. This is also the place where players go when they are injured to help them recover. They have had a lighter schedule than usual because of the smaller field here this week, only 64 players. When they are done here they simply fold their trailers back up and drive to their next location.

My favorite stop of the day was the TaylorMade trailer. This is where players can come to get clubs made for them and try them our on the driving range. All of the newest heads, shafts, and grips are stored inside and a driver can be made at one of the three work stations in as little as five minutes. The man who runs this trailer, Wade, is featured in the recent TaylorMade commercial. He is on the road for at least eight months of the year. After his work is done for this tournament he will start his long drive to Florida to do it all over again.

Cannot wait for the tournament to begin and see what day two has in store...

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REPORTER BIOGRAPHIES

JORGE OLIVARRIA

My name is Jorge Olivarria, I am 14 years old. I live in Sahuarita, Ariz. and am a freshman at Sahuarita High School. I have been golfing since I was 8 years old and I have been a part of The First Tee program since I was 10 years old. I am in Birdie level for The First Tee Program.

ERIC PICKARD

My name is Eric Pickard. I am 17 years old and am Junior at Ironwood Ridge High School. I enjoy participating in and watching all sports. I am currently playing for the Oro Valley lacrosse team. I have been involved with The First Tee of Tucson for three years. I have enjoyed taking classes and participated in summer practice sessions. This association has helped me improve my golf game and my technique. I have also participated in the Ricki Rarick Junior Golf Program and the Oro Valley Park and Recreation Summer Golf Programs.