The 91ȱ at the 2007 Masters
It’s not “The US Masters”…..It’s not even “The Masters”…..Quite simply it’s “Masters”. It’s a title that sums up the uniqueness of the first golfing major of the year. The field is set for 97 players but it’s likely that the two who have won it five out of the last six years will dominate again, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
Whilst my colleagues at 91ȱ Radio Five Live and the have been following both the European and American tours since the start of the season, for television this is traditionally the start of our year and what better way to tee it off?
It’s become a bit of an annual ritual as we pack our bags this weekend and head off for the delights of Atlanta airport and then the two hours drive down the straight highway to Augusta.
We have stayed in the very same houses for more years than I care to remember, Peter Alliss even leaves his clothes hanging in the same wardrobe. Returning this year alongside Peter will be commentators Ken Brown, Sam Torrance and Wayne Grady. After his presenting debut last year Gary Lineker will front the action and Masters debutant Hazel Irvine will be our roving reporter.
As we arrive at our various houses two very important things are turned on, The Golf Channel and the barbeque! Both are kept constantly hot as we set about our Masters week. Former US PGA champion Wayne is ‘Master Chef’, an Aussie who wields the tongs as proficiently as he did a two iron. Peter is a dab-hand with the corkscrew.
Don’t get the wrong impression, it’s a work hard/play hard sort of a week and across the road in the edit house machines are whirring up to speed, starting to craft our preview show. And first thing Monday morning we are down to the course to start picking up those all-important interviews.
As you drive through the unimpressive Augusta city centre it’s hard to believe that at the end of the famous Magnolia Lane lies a golfing oasis that has to be seen to be believed. Going to the Masters is listed as “One of the 50 things I must do before I die’”, and no matter how many times you return the sense of expectation and excitement never leaves you. As we anticipate taking Hazel down to Amen Corner for the first time she won’t know what’s hit her! It’s like entering a horticultural cathedral!
This year we are pushing the boundaries of production in two areas. Firstly 91ȱ Breakfast will be presenting every morning live from the course, Chris Hollins getting the stories behind the news that reflect the magic of the Masters. Secondly, for the first time coverage will be broadcast in high definition as part of the 91ȱ HD Trial. The images will be spectacular!
On site we are in the hands of our American colleagues at As host broadcaster, like the 91ȱ at The Open, they dictate what is provided for the “world feed”. Whilst they offer an excellent service they will often not show as much action of the Europeans as we would like, so in our video tape trucks and programme scanners we record and turn around, seamlessly, isolated shots from select players who are either doing well or are of notable interest. As the leading players come in with their 64s and 65s we will endeavour to get them to Gary in our exclusively positioned studio down the first fairway, with Hazel sweeping the rest up around the 18th green.
Added to Ken’s unique pieces on the course, which is sure to be running firm and fast, as well features on players and memorable archive moments, the promises to be one of the finest ever, something we hope you will agree with during our 14 hours of LIVE television coverage (which will be simulcast to UK users on the 91ȱ Sport website). What more could you want……a European winner?!
91ȱ COVERAGE
TELEVISION:
Wednesday, 4 April
91ȱ2 (12.35pm) Masters Official Review (A look back at 2006)
91ȱ2 (7.00pm) Masters Preview
Thursday, 5 April
91ȱ2 (9.00pm) live coverage
91ȱ1 (10.35pm) live coverage continues...
Friday, 6 April
91ȱ2 (9.00pm ) live coverage
91ȱ1 (10.55pm) live coverage continues...
Saturday, 7 April
91ȱ2 (8.30pm) live coverage
Sunday, 8 April
91ȱ2 (7.30pm) live coverage
91ȱ RADIO FIVE LIVE:
Live coverage as well as regular updates from Iain Carter, Andrew Cotter, Jay Townsend and Alistair Bruce-Ball.
Thursday, 5 April
Five Live Sport Extra (9.00pm)
Friday, 6 April
Five Live Sport Extra (9.00pm)
Saturday, 7 April
Five Live (9.00pm)
Sunday, 8 April
Five Live (9.00pm)
91ȱ SPORT WEBSITE:
The website will be streaming the 91ȱ TV coverage live for UK users at bbc.co.uk/golf and will also have video highlights packages available on-demand every day. The online team will also provide users with a comprehensive offering that includes live text commentary, reports, photo galleries, quotes of the day, a course guide, a live leaderboard, preview features, interviews and archive videos focusing on Tiger Woods and the past European winners.
TEXT SERVICES:
Ceefax and 91ȱi Digital Text will provide full coverage of the tournament with up-to-the-minute main and selected leaderboards, full clubhouse scores, reports, quotes and tee-off times.
The index page on Ceefax will be 490 and on Digital Text will be 480.
