Masters Tees Off: Where To Watch, Experts Pick

The Masters. Two words that scream Spring is here. And while the forecast is a bit brisk and windy, the azaleas will be in full bloom as round one tees off early Thursday morning to 25 mph wind gusts.

We took time to talk to some area golf fanatics about The Masters. We have also compiled a list of great places to watch and links to tee times and TV times.

The Masters Picks

Sandy Jaskol, a Class A LPGA Professional, specializes in growing the ladies golf program at Westhaven. A native of Willingboro, New Jersey, she picked up the sport at a very young age, completing successfully, even winning the New Jersey State Junior Girls Championship. 
Top 3 picks to win Masters:  Jordan Speith, Zach Johnson and Dustin Johnson


Biggest key to win Masters on Day 4:
 Putting is the “be all tell all on that final day. All these players are going to be able to hit the ball…the stress will be high and that player that can make the putts and have the experience on this hallowed ground and greens is going to win.

Favorite Masters memory: My favorite memory of the Masters is when I was able to actually go to the practice round during my travel as the Titleist Women’s Golf Manager in the late 90’s and walk all 18 and eat the infamous pimento cheese sandwiches for $ 1.50 each!

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Ben Pellicani will head up Junior Golf Instruction at Westhaven Golf Club. After spending years focused in collegiate and junior golf while serving as the Associate Head Men’s Golf Coach at Lipscomb University. Pellicani, a Class A PGA Professional, was named one of the Best Young Teachers in America in 2016 by Golf Digest Magazine.

Top 3 picks to win Masters: Dustin Johnson, Jordan Speith, John Rahm

Biggest key to win Masters on Day 4: Ball striking always gives you the chance to win and with the possible poor weather early in the week, length will help.

Favorite Masters memory: My favorite Masters moment was when I visited with my dad and grandad for the last time. I was only 8 and haven’t been back since but I remember walking the hills and seeing the pin and tee committee picking out the pin location Wednesday afternoon with my grandad. I also got Jack Nicklaus’ autograph at Augusta which was pretty neat for younger me.

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 Rick Martino is a Visiting Professional at Westhaven Golf Club, and is based at the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, FL.  He is a highly-distinguished PGA Professional.

Top 3 picks to win Masters: Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Rory Mcllroy

Biggest key to win Masters on Day 4: Course Management

Favorite Masters Memory: Being part of patrons when Arnold Palmer walked up 18.

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Perry Lancianese is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He comes to Westhaven by way of West Palm Beach, Florida. He is a third generation restaurateur, a Culinary Chef and Golf Professional. Lancianese is the General Manager and Director of Golf Operations at Westhaven Golf Club.

Top 3 picks to win Masters: Ricky Fowler is hot coming into this event and really wants to win a major badly. Dustin Johnson is having a great year and is the best driver of the golf ball. Phil Mickelson is always dangerous at Augusta and the course sets up well for lefties.

Biggest key to win Masters on Day 4: At Augusta, it is always about putting, putting and putting.  The weather is predicted to be inclement this week so experience at Augusta will play a major role this weekend to deal with poor conditions!

Favorite Masters Memory: My favorite Masters moment is the 1986 Masters Sunday afternoon when Jack Nicklaus shot a final round 65 (-7) with a back nine of 30 (-6) for a total score 279. He was 46 when he won his sixth Green Jacket and record 18th Major victory, beating Tom Kite and Greg Norman one shot back.  It was December of 1986, I was working in Boca Raton FL at Boca West Country Club as an Assistant Pro. We hosted the Chrysler Team Championship.  I was lucky enough to be assigned to work the driving range tee that week when I met Jack for the first time. After that first day, we spoke every day before his round. Jack teed it up with all three of his sons, which was a great family golf tradition to witness, especially this time since Jackie was on the bag when he won the Masters earlier that year. So on Sunday, I remembered to bring my camera to get some photos of them. I asked Jack if I could have a photo with him. It is one of my favorite things displayed in my office, people ask about it often, Jack was wearing the same yellow shirt he wore on Sunday when he won the Masters earlier that year.

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A to Z Sports, L to R: Austin Stanley & Zach Bingham

Austin Stanley was raised in Brentwood, TN and received a degree in Sports Journalism and Electronic Media from the University of Tennessee. Alongside Zach Bingham, the two host A to Z Sports on Facebook and Periscope.

Top 3 picks to win Masters: I’ll go Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama and Bubba Watson.”
Favorite Masters memory:
Tiger’s chip on 16 in the 2005 playoff —> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIGKe6sD4go

Local sports talk show A to Z Sports.com will be LIVE from Cheekwood Golf Club on Friday morning at 8:00 am to talk Masters. They will also be giving away a free putter. Click here for more info on that.

Great Places To Watch

Here’s some of our picks for great places to watch around Williamson County:

  • Mellow Mushroom Franklin – Great Pizza. Happy Hour specials on the weekends. Plenty of TVs.
  • Buffalo Wings and Rings: Located in Cool Springs, over 30 flavors of wings (do the wasabi). Plenty of TVs and libations. Text BWR to 36000 for free wings!
  • Corner Pub Brentwood: Nice pub with plenty of TVs. Fantastic meat and 3. Good beer selection.
  • Soulshine Pizza-Berry Farms: Cool vibe, nice bar, TVs, and the tamales with crawfish sauce are a must!
  • 55 South: Bar can get a lil packed , but plenty of TVs up high.More importantly, the Pimento BLT is a perfect Masters sandwich!

If you’re staying home to watch or throwing your own Masters watch party, click here for tee times.