A Painter's Journey to Augusta National: Azaleas and Second Chances

A Painter's Journey to Augusta National: Azaleas and Second Chances

It was supposed to be a birdie.

Two solid shots left me 125 yards out on the 13th hole at Augusta National—arguably one of the most breathtaking stretches in golf. With my pitching wedge in hand, I envisioned a smooth swing, a little spin, and maybe a moment of glory at Amen Corner. But instead, I watched the ball turn over sharply and disappear into a dense bed of azaleas.

What could’ve been the most embarrassing moment of the round became one I’ll never forget. As I stepped through those blooming azaleas to find my ball, I stumbled onto a view of the hole that took my breath away. It was a perspective most players never see—and for me, it became the spark behind one of my most iconic golf paintings: Azalea No. 13.

Funny how a misstep can lead you exactly where you were meant to go.

Three Lessons from the Azaleas

1. Opportunities Don’t Always Arrive Polished.
That errant shot could’ve ended the day in frustration. Instead, it opened a window to something greater—a new view, a new story, and a new direction for my art. Many of life’s breakthroughs arrive disguised as setbacks.

2. Preparation Meets the Unexpected.
I wasn’t invited to Augusta on a whim. My years of capturing the spirit of the Greensboro Open and the landscapes of North Carolina had caught the attention of Blake Clark, a member of both Augusta National and Greensboro Country Club. When he extended the invitation, I was ready—because I’d done the work long before the spotlight appeared.

3. Embrace the Detours.
If I’d stayed on the fairway, I would’ve missed the view that became Azalea No. 13. Life often leads us off-course for a reason. What looks like a wrong turn might just be the vantage point we need to see something extraordinary.

Today, that double bogey remains one of the most pivotal moments of my career—not just because of the painting, but because it opened doors to become an official artist for the Masters, and later, to share that journey on stages around the country.

If you're a meeting planner looking for an authentic keynote speaker, this is just one of the real-life moments I share in my programs. As a motivational speaker on making a difference, I don’t bring theory—I bring lived experience, brushstrokes of purpose, and moments like these that inspire people to reflect and respond in their own lives.

Whether I’m standing behind a canvas or a podium, I show audiences how beauty, resilience, and meaning can be found—even in the missed shots.