Every April, I head for Augusta, Georgia, to drive a shuttle for the Masters Tournament. I’ve been doing it for three years, following in the footsteps of a golf-loving friend who considers the Augusta National Golf Club the holy grail of golf courses. He’s not wrong.

I’ve never been a golf aficionado, but I learn more about the sport every year. Last year I was excited to see one of my favorite players, Phil Mickelson, practicing on the course. Many of my fellow drivers signed up for the job to get a gander at the course, which is shrouded in secrecy—if you’re caught with a cell phone inside, you run the risk of being barred from the ticket lottery for life. Another perk of getting into the Augusta National is the access to limited-edition merchandise and the course’s legendary concessions. And, I must admit, this is what sealed it for me, although I was curious about the course itself. It truly is a wonder of the modern world. My experiences at the Masters were what made me so excited to plan our first-ever Golf issue. When thinking about coverage, I looked inward—what would I like to learn more about, and how would I start if I decided to take up the game?

Life’s lessons from a pro seemed to be a good place to start. I’m honored to bring you interviews with three luminaries in women’s golf: Annika Sorenstam, Lydia Ko and Leona Maguire. Why these three, do you ask? They’re all residents of the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. We also get to know NBC Sports’ director of of marketing, Christine Silen, who talks about how she got started in golf and gives inspiration for those who want to take up the game. For those who know more about the game, our guide to the most challenging golf courses in Central Florida is a piece to keep for reference. And you can brush up on your golf lingo in a hilarious column by our publisher. Coverage starts on p. 26. You’ll also learn about the First Lady of Golf Architecture, Alice Dye, in our In Focus feature.

In addition to a deep dive into the Masters’ sandwiches (by yours truly), our Food & Drink section contains an ode to Orlando’s Brazilian restaurants by food writer extraordinaire Brendan O’Connor. Brendan’s biting wit always keeps us snickering at our desks, and I must say he’s outdone himself in his latest culinary spotlight. Read it on p. 82. After I recover from all those buffets and find myself some new golf duds, you can find me on the range putting all the tips from the pros to good use.

Here’s to a swingin’ March!

JENNIFER MCKEE • ORLANDO MAGAZINE EDITOR
jennifer.mckee@orlandomagazine.com