McConnell Golf presents ROAD TO AUGUSTA with Ward Clayton, Episode 9Host Ward Clayton visits Augusta during Masters week to explore why the city is known as the "Garden City" and how Augusta National's beauty traces back to its origins as a former nursery. Richmond County Extension Agent Campbell Vaughn explains the plants that define the Master's experience—especially the azaleas on No. 13, including common evergreen indica types and showy native deciduous varieties—while debunking the myth that blooms are preserved with ice and noting how different varieties stagger flowering. They also discuss Magnolia Lane's historic trees planted in the 1880s, the famed 150+ year-old live oak behind the clubhouse, and the course's dominant pines, including storm losses. The episode touches on Hurricane Helene's widespread damage and the difficulty of replicating Augusta's turf, and it includes local favorites for food, courses, and Masters traditions.00:00 Augusta In Bloom01:03 Meet Plant Expert CV02:58 Why Augusta Is Garden City04:00 Azaleas Masters Signature08:19 Azalea Myths And Timing10:58 Azalea Drink And Concessions12:31 Magnolia Lane Origins14:30 The Iconic Live Oak16:53 Pines Ike Tree And Replanting20:37 Hurricane Helene Aftermath22:50 Can Your Lawn Match Augusta24:19 Rapid Fire Favorites And Food31:27 Closing Reflections On BeautyWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

COURTVISION Episode 11: Ven-Allen Lubin on Transfers, NIL, Coaching Changes & the Unfiltered Reality of College HoopsThis episode features an end-of-season conversation with NC State's Ven-Allen Lubin, who reflects on a rollercoaster year (20–14, First Four loss) and his uncommon journey through four schools and four head coaches, none of whom are still in the same job. Lubin discusses the surprise of Will Wade's departure, locker-room morale during chaos, what makes a coach effective (genuine relationships and communication), and why he'd revisit Vanderbilt under Jerry Stackhouse, praising Stackhouse's honesty and player-first approach. Ven-Allen compares the athlete support and history at North Carolina with those at Vanderbilt and addresses NIL's growing influence. The episode also examines proposed transfer restrictions in Washington, argues that athletes deserve mobility as coaching situations change, and highlights Lubin's graduating on time despite major credit-transfer challenges. He shares plans for pro basketball, introduces his pet bird Mango, and picks former UNC teammate Eliot Cadeau & Michigan to win the NCAA Championship.00:00 Modern Game Reality01:53 Season Rollercoaster Recap03:23 Stats and Coach Exit Shock06:17 Four Schools Perspective08:14 What Makes Coaches Work09:25 Advice and Fifth Year Pick10:55 Stackhouse Coaching Case13:55 Vandy vs Carolina Support15:50 NIL Money vs Development18:47 Transfer Limits Debate24:24 Academics Transfer Gauntlet27:42 Meet Mango the Bird28:39 Next Steps Pro Dreams32:03 Final Four Picks and Friends33:58 Closing remarksWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

McCONNELL GOLF presents ROAD TO AUGUSTA:The Voices of the Masters: John Patrick & John BoyetteThis episode of McConnell Golf's ROAD TO AUGUSTA explores the restrained storytelling that defines Masters Week through conversations with longtime Augusta broadcaster John Patrick and Aiken Standard executive editor John Boyette. Patrick recounts his radio career path to Augusta, his first Masters in 1984, and how the tournament and town have transformed—from buying practice-round tickets at the gate to today's formal, corporate atmosphere—while sharing memories of the Quonset hut press center and rare clubhouse conversations with Jean Sara and Alistair Cooke. He also explains how he launched The Augusta Golf Show after being laid off and where to hear it. Boyette discusses his journalism roots, reporting on Augusta National construction via public records, changes like tunnels and new player facilities, his devotion to Jack Nicklaus, including a 1986 book and later a Gary Player book, and offers a perspective on Aiken's culture, golf scene, and Masters-week impact.00:00 Quiet Masters Storytelling01:21 Meet the Voice of Augusta, John Patrick02:38 Radio Roots to Augusta06:05 First Masters in 198407:35 ACC Hoops Detour09:00 Augusta Transforms Masters Week11:40 Then vs Now at the Gates13:51 Behind the Bamboo Changes15:22 Quonset Hut Memories18:07 40 Year Plaque and Parking Spot20:05 Clubhouse Chair Encounters21:53 Augusta Golf Show Origin Story27:28 McConnell Golf Sponsor Break28:56 Meet Aiken Standard Executive Editor, John Boyette31:25 Tracking Augusta National Permits33:39 New Player Hospitality Complex35:19 Tunnel Under Magnolia Lane36:14 Course Changes And Optics36:48 Eureka Earth Aerials39:51 Jack Nicklaus Origin Story43:09 Writing The 86 Masters Book45:53 Nicklaus Masters Prep Routine48:21 Billy Morris Putter Lore49:47 Gary Player Book Project51:54 Discovering Aiken, South Carolina56:25 Aiken Golf Club Heritage57:40 New Private Clubs Boom01:03:03 Biggest Masters Evolution01:06:04 Aiken Food And Masters Week01:07:53 Covering Routine And Grill Room01:10:22 First Timer Viewing Tips01:11:35 Final Masters Wrap UpWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

TIME-OUT FINAL FOUR SHOW, presented by NC PorkDuke blew a 19-point lead… and the ACC is OUT of the Final Four. Now what?On this Final Four Preview Edition of TIME-OUT, Mike Waddell is joined by David Glenn and Coach Kerry Keating to break down one of the most shocking Elite Eight collapses in NCAA Tournament history — and what it means for Duke Basketball moving forward.The Blue Devils became the first No. 1 seed EVER to lose after leading by 15+ at halftime (134-1), falling to UConn in a stunning comeback. Is this just March Madness chaos… or a deeper issue with Duke's roster construction and inability to close?We also dive into the **big picture of ACC Basketball**, now completely shut out of the Final Four — what does this say about the league's national standing in 2026?Then, we shift to the **coaching carousel in the BOLD NORTH STATE**:🔴 **NC State Coaching Search**– Why Justin Gainey appears to be the guy– The pros and pressures of hiring an alumnus– Will Wade’s baggage vs. stability in the NIL era🔵 UNC Coaching Search– Tommy Lloyd, Dusty May, and Billy Donovan in the mix– Why the “blue blood” pitch isn’t what it used to be– Smith Center uncertainty and donor pressureWe also compare Jon Scheyer vs. Hubert Davis, and why their completely different coaching transitions matter more than ever in modern college basketball.Finally, we preview the 2026 Final Four matchups:🏀 Illinois vs UConn🏀 Arizona vs MichiganWho advances? Who wins it all? We make our picks.Presented by the North Carolina Pork Council🥓 Bacon & Basketball Month in the BOLD NORTH STATELearn more: [https://ncpork.org](https://ncpork.org)CHAPTERS:00:00 NC Pork Sponsor Intro00:39 Show Setup Final Four Preview00:57 Duke Collapse Big Picture04:48 Keating on Late Game Execution10:20 Pressure on Shire in New Era17:22 Succession Plans Duke vs UNC21:34 ACC Falling Behind Financially30:15 Jimmy's Wrightsville Beach Ad31:14 Coaching Carousel NC State Reset33:45 Justin Gainey Hire Breakdown37:53 Alma Mater Pride vs The Bag38:27 NC State Coaching Blueprint40:54 Building The Right Staff43:10 UNC Search And Portal Timing49:02 Sponsor Break50:15 Why Jordan Won't Fund It52:33 Final Four Picks And Upsets57:58 Matchup Breakdown And Title Pick01:03:55 Could A Champ Leave For UNC01:09:00 Money And Admin Power Plays01:11:47 Wrap Up And Network Plug**SUBSCRIBE for more college basketball analysis, coaching search insights, and factual heat from across the BOLD NORTH STATE.**#FinalFour #MarchMadness #DukeBasketball #UNCBasketball #NCStateBasketball #CollegeBasketball #NCSNWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

ROAD TO AUGUSTA with Ward Clayton: 1971 Masters Champion Charles Coody & Augusta Caddie Legend Carl JacksonWard Clayton interviews 1971 Masters champion Charles Coody and legendary Augusta caddie Carl Jackson. Coody recalls first arriving at Augusta in 1963 while in the military, his preparation and 1971 winning week, and the story of caddie Walter "Cricket" Pritchett wearing a towel disguise after taking time off work, plus his long run attending the Champions Dinner.Jackson recounts growing up near Augusta National, learning from caddie mentor Pappy Stokes, caddying his first Masters in 1961 for Billy Burke, and his expertise in reading Augusta’s greens. He describes caddying for Gary Player amid 1970 apartheid protests, his relationship with chairman Jack Stephens, including being the first Black person to play Augusta National with him, helping Ben Crenshaw in 1995, his "Carl's Kids” youth golf efforts, and a golf-equipment partnership with Jeff Gould.00:00 Augusta Legends Intro01:06 Host Welcome and Move03:07 First Masters Trip 196305:22 Magnolia Lane Arrival07:43 Winning Week 197111:52 Cricket Towel Disguise20:03 Champions Dinner Tradition28:50 Pearson Masters Chase31:36 Course Changes Over Time35:04 Quickfire Masters Favorites40:27 McConnell Golf Spotlight41:53 Meet Caddie Carl Jackson43:01 Sandhills Route to Augusta46:59 Pappy Stokes Green Reading49:53 First Caddie Job Origins51:44 First Masters Caddie53:19 Practice Tee Hazards54:32 Jeff Gould Meets Carl58:05 1970 Player Protests01:01:25 Winning Trust on Bag01:06:39 Jack Stevens Bond01:12:04 Jimmy Carter Visit01:14:44 First Black Round01:22:37 Ben Crenshaw Fix01:30:13 Carl's Kids Foundation01:33:43 New Club Technology01:38:32 Rapid Fire Questions01:43:34 Masters Week FarewellWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

Elite Eight Bacon & Basketball: Duke vs UConn, Picks for All Matchups + UNC & NC State Coaching Searches | TIME-OUTOn the Elite Eight “Bacon and Basketball” edition of TIME-OUT presented by the North Carolina Pork Council, Mike Waddell, David Glenn, and Coach Kerry Keating preview the four regional final games and make picks, focusing on Duke’s win over St. John’s and what it showed about the Blue Devils’ physical and mental toughness, Isaiah Evans’ 25-point performance, and Caleb Foster’s quick return from foot surgery. They break down Duke’s upcoming matchup with Dan Hurley’s UConn, plus Illinois vs Iowa, Arizona vs Purdue, and Michigan vs Tennessee. The show also addresses the coaching searches at North Carolina and NC State, including how NIL/roster budgets, timing around the transfer portal, and program resources shape candidates such as Tommy Lloyd, Josh Schertz, and Justin Gainey.00:00 Elite Eight Setup01:19 Duke Survives St Johns01:42 Toughness And Heroes06:40 UConn Matchup Keys10:21 ACC Brand And Big Ten14:35 Rick Barnes Tennessee Shot17:47 Sponsor Break19:03 UNC And NC State Searches25:31 NIL Chaos And Hiring Today31:27 What To Watch This Weekend35:09 UNC Brand and Pressure36:28 NC State Stability Window39:35 Duke Shire Long Run40:49 Tommy Lloyd to UNC Debate42:37 Final Four Predictions45:36 Sponsor Break47:48 Agent Leaks and Backup Plans53:07 Elite Eight Illinois vs Iowa56:53 Elite Eight Arizona vs Purdue01:00:48 Elite Eight Michigan vs Tennessee01:04:14 Elite Eight Duke vs UConn01:09:56 Network Sign OffWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

Episode 6 explores how music shapes the Masters experience and Augusta's identity.

Host Ward Clayton interviews golf writer/photographer Bill Fields about growing up in Southern Pines/Pinehurst, covering the Masters as both photographer and writer, changes at Augusta National and Washington Road, and his memoir A Quick Nine Before Dark; Fields also explains his 2008 reporting on how Herbert Warren Wind coined "Amen Corner" in 1958 and how the credited source was misremembered, tracing the song to Mildred Bailey rather than Mezz Mezzrow.

Clayton then talks with longtime Augusta radio host and Turner Keyboards owner Ed Turner about Augusta's musical heritage, including James Brown's legacy and other local artists.

Finally, Kyle Loggins recalls how his late father, Dave Loggins, wrote and recorded the Masters' CBS theme "Augusta" after walking the course in 1980, its original lyrics, annual licensing, and a tribute call from Jim Nantz.00:00 Augusta Soundscape01:07 Meet Bill Fields01:51 Growing Up Sandhills03:35 Pinehurst Golf Picks04:15 Where to Eat05:34 Not a Golf Family06:34 Writing Meets Photography08:22 Covering the Masters10:36 Iconic Photo Moments13:07 First Masters Trips16:10 Amen Corner Origins20:51 Mezz Mezzrow Deep Dive23:03 Andy Griffith Connection25:17 Falling for the Masters27:02 Augusta Then and Now30:43 Memoir Quick Nine33:53 Weymouth Writing Retreat34:45 Weymouth Writing Retreat35:20 Ghosts and Max Perkins36:10 How to Buy the Memoir36:54 Finishing a Book38:42 Masters Lightning Round41:02 Augusta Food and Traditions45:00 McConnell Golf Spotlight46:14 Meet Ed Turner47:59 Augusta Music Legends49:24 James Brown Legacy52:24 Augusta Artists Roll Call55:10 Augusta Is No Place57:17 Masters Theme Music01:01:14 Ed Turner Quick Hitters01:04:21 Masters Week Banter01:08:31 Augusta Theme Origins01:10:53 Walking The Course01:13:03 Love Story In Augusta01:14:29 Recording And TV Legends01:16:13 Family Legacy Feelings01:17:20 Jim Nance Tribute Call01:20:14 Lyrics And Rights01:24:17 Versions And Golf Ties01:27:36 Memorabilia And Farewell01:30:52 Music Threads Conclusion

TIMEOUT Sweet 16 Preview: ACC Down to Duke, Bracket Storylines & UNC/Hubert Davis TurmoilOn TIMEOUT on the North Carolina Sports Network, host Mike Waddell and analyst David Glenn preview the Sweet 16 with the ACC reduced to only Duke, explaining why the league's other teams exited and assessing Duke's close call vs. Siena, blowout of TCU, and upcoming test against St. John's, with concerns about health, point guard play, bench production, and inconsistent three-point shooting. They also discuss national tournament themes: the Big Ten's title drought despite six Sweet 16 teams, the small group of active championship-winning coaches, and the second straight year with no non–power-conference teams in the Sweet 16. Glenn flags potential upsets (including Tennessee vs. Iowa State if injuries linger) and highlights Nebraska as the tournament's "darling" with its first-ever Sweet 16. The show then shifts to UNC's post-VCU loss drama, evaluating Hubert Davis' mixed results, fit, communication, program direction, and the financial/organizational realities of a potential coaching change.00:00 Show Intro and ACC Setup01:19 Why ACC Teams Fell08:09 Duke Survives and Advances11:01 Duke Weak Spots Ahead14:35 Sweet 16 Storylines20:38 Upset Watch Picks22:11 Nebraska New Cinderella25:01 Sponsor Break25:56 UNC Drama and Hubert Heat27:55 Glenn on Hubert Fit30:57 Hubert Media Awkwardness32:39 Comfort In Modern Era34:18 Dean And Roy Parallels37:25 Carolina Standard Verdict39:42 Reactive Leadership Critique42:52 Truth Serum Questions45:09 Who Decides In Chapel Hill48:28 Carolina Family Braintrust51:56 Coaching Search Buyouts54:56 Sweet 16 Title Contenders58:00 Duke Path And Picks01:01:47 Wrap And Network PlugWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState