Greetings! My name is Justin Clay, a Junior at Charles R. Drew Charter School, also a member of the Drew Varsity golf team. Today, I had an amazing opportunity to be a media correspondent on the first day at the Tour Championship. As a media correspondent I was featured in two interviews, one with Atlanta & Company, and another with Jade Jones at Q99.7 Along with interviews I also had the privilege to walk inside the ropes with ESPN and PGA Live commentator, Michael Collins.
When I first heard that I was scheduled to appear in two live television interviews I was absolutely elated. During the interview with Atlanta & Company I was joined by Ilham Askia, the president and CEO of the East Lake Foundation. She was asked about how the East Lake Foundation benefits from the Tour Championship and also how the East Lake Foundation benefits local community partners, my school being one of them. I was then asked about how I benefit from the East Lake Foundation, and I explained that I benefit greatly from the East Lake Foundation in many ways, while highlighting opportunities like this one today. The East Lake Foundation gives a lot to my school, golf team, and the whole East Lake community, so I was thankful to acknowledge everything that they have done for me! My interview experience with Jade at Q99.7 was a little more personal but still an amazing interview. The question that stuck out to me the most was, “What is a lesson you’ve learned in golf that you also use as a life skill?” I replied, “My dad always tells me to have a next shot mentality, meaning you cannot worry about a bad shot you hit because there is nothing you can do about it. You just have to focus on the next to make it the best shot it can be.” All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my first two appearances on live television at the Tour championship.
In addition to my first two appearances on live television, I got to walk inside of the ropes with, former caddie, now ESPN+ and PGA Live commentator, Michael Collins. This was an awesome experience getting to walk some holes with the best players in the world while they prepared to hit their shots. Michael taught me some of the ins and outs of live commentating on the PGA Tour while also showing me all of the things that you must consider as a commentator. While on the 10th tee box we were joined by actor, comedian, writer, and producer Katt Williams. Although I did not get to interact with Katt Williams as much as I did with Michael, it was still a great time. Especially when he greeted me by saying, “Hey I usually don’t speak to people your height but I made an exception for you!” We then shared a laugh as my experience inside the ropes came to an end.
Overall, my day as a Media Correspondent was amazing. Networking and getting to meet so many great people was another one of my highlights, along with my first two appearances on live television as well as my time inside the ropes with Michael Collins. I am beyond thankful to the East Lake Foundation for this opportunity!
By Justin Clay, Drew Charter School Junior and Drew Charter School Golfer
