Meet ESPN’s Masters Iron(s) Man: Veteran Producer Tom Engle
Engle describes his job duties at his 15th Masters: "Whatever it is, we’re in constant contact with shows all day and making sure that we’re providing everything that they need from Augusta."
AUGUSTA, Ga. – This week, content with ESPN analysts and reporters at the Masters Tournament here at Augusta National Golf Club is showing up on a wide variety of ESPN programs – and the constant in all of it is ESPN producer Tom Engle.
“My major role here is to help facilitate content amongst all the shows, from Bristol to what we do here on-site,” said Engle, who joined ESPN in 2001 and is working his 15th Masters. “Whatever it is, we’re in constant contact with shows all day and making sure that we’re providing everything that they need from Augusta.”
On Tuesday, for example, golf host Scott Van Pelt was the “5 Good Minutes” guest on PTI and appeared on First Take. ESPN.com senior golf analyst Michael Collins joined This Just In and longtime golf analyst Curtis Strange was on Get Up. Engle is involved in all.
“We also have a crew in Bristol who helps with the content and producing everything,” he said. “Between both sites, we’re involved in all of that.”
Before traveling to Augusta National Golf Club from ESPN headquarters in Connecticut, Engle is part of weekly planning meetings for the Masters with Mike McQuade, ESPN Vice President, Production, who oversees golf production.
“I’ve worked with Mike all of these years at the Masters,” he said. “His leadership is what gets us where we’re going. The prep work we do in advance, making sure that everybody’s on the same page with what they want before we get here, what shows we have to take care of while we’re here, and then executing once we get here. Mike is a great leader in all of that.”
Working at the Masters is part of his overall role overseeing the SportsCenter on the Road franchise, which takes him to many other big sports events like the NBA Finals and the World Series.
“I think having that familiar face on-site representing SportsCenter with all these different show groups is really important,” he said. “When I’m there, they know why I’m there, and people understand that because I’ve been doing it so long.”
Engle looks forward to the Masters each year, especially after a cold New England winter.
“It’s like the beginning of Spring coming down here and seeing this course,” he said. “And if you’ve never been here, it’s unbelievable – I just don’t think there’s anything like the Masters.”
For more about ESPN’s coverage of the Masters, visit ESPN Press Room.
