Ward Clayton Email & Phone Number

Saint Johns, Fl, Us

Durham, North Carolina, United States

The story of the all-Black caddie corps at Augusta National, their influence on the game and the challenges and accomplishments on golf’s biggest stage. No. 1 sports and golf book April 2024, Blair Publisher's No. 1-selling book.

St. Johns, Fla.

PR/story telling for small, corporate business, non-profit and sports/golf:o Erik Larsen, golf course architect, 2022-24 PR, website re-launch, media, video, social. www.larsengolf.net.o Golf course/community-oriented renovation for municipal, public courses. Connecting public access, greenspace and communicating between constituencies, walkable spaces and youth, charitable functions. 2023 St. Augustine Amateur PR.o Branding/Storytelling, 2021-23: Haskell.com, Architecture… Show more PR/story telling for small, corporate business, non-profit and sports/golf:o Erik Larsen, golf course architect, 2022-24 PR, website re-launch, media, video, social. www.larsengolf.net.o Golf course/community-oriented renovation for municipal, public courses. Connecting public access, greenspace and communicating between constituencies, walkable spaces and youth, charitable functions. 2023 St. Augustine Amateur PR.o Branding/Storytelling, 2021-23: Haskell.com, Architecture, Engineering, Construction firm, Jacksonville, Fla. o Golf Pride, No. 1 golf grip, 2021-22, telling a more diverse and educational story unique to the sport. Worked with TriMark Digital, a N.C. digital marketing agency.o Production, Editing, Writing: Morning Read/Sports Illustrated golf newsletter, with SEO, CMS. JR Smith, Skip Alexander, etc. stories.o Public Relations: Art exhibitions for Susanne Schuenke, Harry McCormick, Anna Miller, Holiday Arts, 2017-23, St. Johns Co.o PR, Venardos Circus, 2018-23. Record attendance led to a national tour, return to St. Augustine for annual sellouts.o Public Relations: Season 4, St. Augustine Tonight, hosted by Jorge Rivera, webcast, 2020.o 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, Jacksonville, Assistant Media coordinator; Fortegra HS 9:12 boys HS basketball, Jacksonville, Media, social media oversight.o Director of Communications, Florida Chamber Music Project classical music, St. Johns Co., through 2018.o Coordinated U.S. media for Colombia tourism, visit by former U.S. President Clinton for golf, 2012. o Writing coach, 2015-17, “SEC Country” football social, Cox Media.o Red Bull USA, Lexi Thompson, Rickie Fowler, Off-Course 2012-14, Augusta, Dallas.o Writing, editing: Golf Digest (Myrtle Beach, RBC, Kettle One, Evian, AT&T); Wall Street Journal; Masters Journal; pgatour.com; lpga.com; Augusta PBS; Money Pages; Wounded Warrior Project; Global Value Commerce, PGA TOUR programs, PGA Tour Essential Guide, TPC Life & Leisure, First Call, SI.com Show less

Augusta, Georgia, United States

Guiding Masters Digital (www.masters.com) Web editorial and direct connection to photo, video, social and graphics content (managing writers and editors) since 2011 (500 million-plus page views for one week). On site during pandemic – November 2020, April 2021. Coordinate with Augusta National and IBM on planning, editorial calendar, deadlines, Content Management System, web design, SEO, social media, video edits, AP style, graphics interaction, Community outreach and Masters guidelines… Show more Guiding Masters Digital (www.masters.com) Web editorial and direct connection to photo, video, social and graphics content (managing writers and editors) since 2011 (500 million-plus page views for one week). On site during pandemic – November 2020, April 2021. Coordinate with Augusta National and IBM on planning, editorial calendar, deadlines, Content Management System, web design, SEO, social media, video edits, AP style, graphics interaction, Community outreach and Masters guidelines. Includes pre-event, on site and related activities. Show less

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Communications work with clubs, resorts, corporations across the United States and internationally, with a focus on golf and health. Helped develop Landmark Media Americas with Signature Group. Extensive experience in media interaction, event planning, story lines, writing, execution and social media. This includes:o Leading GOLFZON, the world’s largest golf simulator company, in emersion into the U.S. market from success in South Korea with a media/event planning, strategic media… Show more Communications work with clubs, resorts, corporations across the United States and internationally, with a focus on golf and health. Helped develop Landmark Media Americas with Signature Group. Extensive experience in media interaction, event planning, story lines, writing, execution and social media. This includes:o Leading GOLFZON, the world’s largest golf simulator company, in emersion into the U.S. market from success in South Korea with a media/event planning, strategic media relations, social media and serving as U.S. spokesperson for the billion-dollar company that won Golf Digest Editors’ Choice Award in 2017-19. Placement in Wall Street Journal, Golf Digest, USA Today, Forbes. Organized PGA Show events: Million-Dollar Shootout, PGA professional competition in partnership with PGA Magazine and media breakfasts (2019 with famed golf instructor David Leadbetter).o Coordinated with Washington agency to collaborate on Public Relations/Communications for Air2G2, an innovative, air-based aerification machine in the golf/turf industry. Identified high-profile clients, developed a social media promotion schedule and organized storytelling, video assets.o Involvement with international media in junkets to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to promote the location as an international golf and travel destination. In 2015, media value result was approximately $1.3 million.o Private club brand assessments, history research and interaction with membership on detailed surveys includes The Minikahda Club, Starmount Forest, Marsh Landing, Wolferts Roost, Hidden Valley and other prominent clubs. Show less

United States, United Kingdom

Producer, Public Relations/Communications for Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk (www.loopersmovie.com, @loopersthemovie), the most thorough feature-length film documentary ever developed on golf’s historic caddie profession, a 2019 film narrated by actor and former caddie Billy Murray. PR/Communications for film festivals and private screenings throughout 2019. Best documentary in Newport Beach and Cleveland festivals, "Best of Fest" at international debut in Edinburgh (Scotland) festival, 75%… Show more Producer, Public Relations/Communications for Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk (www.loopersmovie.com, @loopersthemovie), the most thorough feature-length film documentary ever developed on golf’s historic caddie profession, a 2019 film narrated by actor and former caddie Billy Murray. PR/Communications for film festivals and private screenings throughout 2019. Best documentary in Newport Beach and Cleveland festivals, "Best of Fest" at international debut in Edinburgh (Scotland) festival, 75% Rotten Tomatoes, 86% audience score as of September 2019. Aired on Golf Channel February 2020.The storyline reaches back more than a century to explore how caddies originated in Scotland and Ireland and then migrated to the U.S. and went from a disrespected craft into a well-respected occupation.The film includes interviews with Hall of Famers Nick Faldo, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Lee Trevino, Curtis Strange and former Masters & U.S. Open champion Fuzzy Zoeller. Professional caddies who participated include Steve Williams (Tiger Woods’ former caddie), Carl Jackson (Crenshaw), Fanny Sunesson (Faldo), Pete Bender (Greg Norman and others), Michael Greller (Jordan Spieth) and Jerry Beard (Zoeller at the 1979 Masters). Longtime golf journalists Rick Reilly, Michael Collins and Ward Clayton are also interviewed.The unknown stories are revealed, such as Greg Puga, who grew up in East LA, went on to caddie at Bel-Air CC and qualified as an amateur to play in the Masters. Another is the legacy of caddie master Mike Kiely, who has been the caddie organizer at historic Canterbury GC in Cleveland for a half-century. The Evans Scholars Foundation is also featured, highlighting the program which has given college scholarships to more than 10,000 caddies since 1930.“Loopers” was filmed at iconic golf locations Augusta National, Pebble Beach, Old Course at St. Andrews, numerous others in Scotland and Ireland such as Carnoustie, Prestwick, Ballybunion and Lahinch and Bandon Dunes. Show less

Oversaw all publications – print and digital – including writing, editing, planning and public relations, at the PGA Tour, the world’s foremost professional golf organization. Supervised a staff that reviewed all materials and met stringent deadlines. Provided writing and editing expertise for various Tour-wide initiatives. Created PGA Tour’s tournament-specific publications and approved advertorial creative content with print partners Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Forbes Magazine in… Show more Oversaw all publications – print and digital – including writing, editing, planning and public relations, at the PGA Tour, the world’s foremost professional golf organization. Supervised a staff that reviewed all materials and met stringent deadlines. Provided writing and editing expertise for various Tour-wide initiatives. Created PGA Tour’s tournament-specific publications and approved advertorial creative content with print partners Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Forbes Magazine in conjunction with Marketing Department. Wrote letters for PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. Led the conversion of PGA Tour media guides to a digital format (pgatourmedia.com), allowing daily updates and more statistics. Saved more than $200,000 and among first live media guide sites in pro sports. Developed PGA Tour’s Annual Report and Charity Report. Saved 50 percent of budgeting by producing internally. Interfaced with all departments on content. Oversaw extensive publications, including PGA Tour Partners magazine; Tour News; The Players Championship magazine in-house in 2010 ($20,000 in savings); and daily newsletter/pairings guide during The Players Championship. Show less

Ann Arbor Media Group-published book unveiled the story of the caddies behind the golfers and members at the Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters Tournament is held annually. Book (14,000-plus copies sold) excerpted in The Augusta Chronicle and previewed in Golf Digest, Golfweek and other national publications. Speaking engagements to publicize the book included clubs, bookstores and radio and television interviews. Opportunities continue annually with corporate groups during Masters… Show more Ann Arbor Media Group-published book unveiled the story of the caddies behind the golfers and members at the Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters Tournament is held annually. Book (14,000-plus copies sold) excerpted in The Augusta Chronicle and previewed in Golf Digest, Golfweek and other national publications. Speaking engagements to publicize the book included clubs, bookstores and radio and television interviews. Opportunities continue annually with corporate groups during Masters Week, including LexisNexis, and to other groups during the year. Considered an expert on Masters Tournament history and particulars about the tournament, course and the Augusta National Golf Club. In 2016, a documentary, "Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk," was being developed that, in part, details the Augusta National caddie story and "Men on the Bag." Was part of a world-released caddie documentary in 2019. Re-printing, update , additions in early 2024 under new title ("Legendary Caddies of Augusta National") and with a new publisher, Blair Publisher from Durham, N.C. Show less

Sports editor for the 75,000-circulation daily newspaper, overseeing a 15-person staff that received numerous individual and section honors. Created special sections dedicated to football, Braves baseball, golf, and the Masters Tournament and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Masters coverage deemed “the best coverage of a golf tournament in the world by a daily newspaper” (Golf World). Budgeting and planning for entire staff.

Colleges and golf writer, columnist and feature sports writer for the 50,000-circulation daily newspaper. Beats included University of North Carolina and Duke athletics and area and professional golf. Awarded a N.C. Press Association first-place prize for a feature story on Randy Jordan, a UNC football player who overcame poverty. Also advanced into an assistant sports editor position, making writing assignments and daily budgeting plans.

Sports editor for the 20,000-circulation daily newspaper, focusing on regional sports. Organized coverage of prep and college sports, particularly UNC-Pembroke. Supervised a four-person staff.

Ba, Journalism

Activities and Societies: PiKA fraternity; part-time sports writer, Durham (N.C.) Morning Herald Journalism major in one of the country's.

Education record

Co-editor of the school newspaper. Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch was a classmate.