When Rory McIlroy finally slipped into the Green Jacket on Sunday, April 13, 2025, after years of near-misses at Augusta National, the spotlight naturally turned to the Northern Irishman’s long-awaited triumph. But behind the scenes, another monumental chapter quietly closed: Brad Owen, Augusta National’s longtime Senior Director of Agronomy, watched his final Masters as the man who had shaped the course for nearly four decades.
Owen retired in late 2024, capping off a 37-year career at Augusta National, including 27 years as superintendent—the longest tenure in club history. His successor, Brent Seyer, took over for the 2025 Masters, marking a new era in course management.
While Owen may have been officially off the clock, his presence was still felt. He joined his former crew on the grounds, watching McIlroy’s victory unfold on the very turf he had meticulously maintained for decades. It was a fitting farewell for a man whose career was as much a part of Augusta’s legacy as the azaleas and Amen Corner.
“Brad’s contributions to Augusta National are immeasurable,” said Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley during the 2024 Masters, announcing Owen’s retirement. “His dedication and expertise have elevated the natural beauty of our course year after year.”
Owen’s journey at Augusta began in 1987 as an irrigation technician. He climbed the ranks, becoming senior assistant superintendent in 1989, director of golf course maintenance in 1997, and finally, senior director of agronomy in 2022. His leadership saw the course through significant changes, including lengthening several holes to keep pace with modern equipment and player capabilities.
In 2019, Owen was named Superintendent of the Year by the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association, a testament to his excellence in course management. His peers recognized not just his technical skills but also his ability to lead and inspire his team.
As McIlroy navigated the course to his first Masters win, Owen and his former colleagues watched with a mix of pride and nostalgia. The fairways and greens bore the hallmark of Owen’s meticulous care, a living legacy that would continue under Seyer’s guidance.
Now, Owen brings his wealth of experience to Turfgrass® USA, joining a team dedicated to advancing golf course development and sustainability across North and Central America. While his days at Augusta have ended, his influence on the game endures.
As the sun set on the 2025 Masters, it marked not just the culmination of McIlroy’s journey to a Green Jacket but also the end of an era for Augusta National’s agronomy team. Brad Owen’s legacy is etched into every blade of grass, a testament to one of the biggest—and perhaps most underappreciated—jobs in golf.
