Through a unique partnership with First Tee-Phoenix and the WM Phoenix Open, Thursday, Feb. 8 was our first day of junior course reporting. I was accompanied by my fellow reporter and First Tee member, Payton. Throughout this experience, Payton and I spent the entire day learning how people in the golf realm deal with challenges and overcome adversity. First, we began our day by getting our media credentials and walking around the grounds of the golf course.

Throughout my journey as an on-course reporter, I had the chance to interview Deg Davies, a Thunderbird since 2008. I learned that he has run the Thunderdog stand for about nine years now! And if you haven’t had the luxury of trying the famous Thunderdog, I highly recommend it.

Later in the morning, we went to the Golf Channel booth which is set with the sought after 16th hole as its backdrop. Getting to meet Golf Channel staff including, Brandel Chamblee and George Savaricas was by far the most exciting part of my day.

Unfortunately, play was later suspended due to heavy rain, and we got to see what happens on set when inclement weather occurs. There were many last-minute adjustments and improvisations by the production crew to help keep the show going and keep the equipment as dry as possible.

Towards the end of the day, we walked back to the media center where we interviewed with Jim “Bones” Mackay, which was very interesting given his well-respected career with caddying for Phil Mickelson and Justin Thomas, Bones also has also become a trusted voice in broadcasting though his golf commentary. As many fans could imagine, it was a cold, wet, and challenging day to play golf in Scottsdale, Arizona.