Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / ACU alum hits the fairway

ACU alum hits the fairway

February 15, 2016 by Mary Kate Rotenberry

Sitting on the 18th fairway at Torrey Pines North golf course, Doug Ferguson’s office looks different from that of the ordinary newspaper reporters.

It combines the noises of the golf tournament’s television coverage, hands hitting laptop keys and indistinct chatter as golf shots are reported on a big screen in front of everyone inside the media tent. Doug Ferguson sits in the media tent while his eyes glaze over a computer screen, researching players and caddies, trying to find a story nugget.

Ferguson, a 1983 graduate of ACU, is starting his 28th year with the Associated Press, covering about 30 golf tournaments a year. He won the JMC’s department Gutenberg Award in 1999 for his national work.

Ferguson said he hopes to bring golf knowledge with a simple style that hits all the important developments in the right order, with an occasional dash of humor with a large dose of candor.

“He was very gracious,” said Cheryl Mann Bacon, professor and chair of journalism and mass communication. “He was very competent. He has a crazy life. He travels constantly.”

He writes about tournaments including the British Open, the World Golf Championship in Shanghai and the Ryder cup or President’s Cup.

“Golf takes you to some pretty cool spots around the world,” Ferguson said. “I’ve covered tournaments in the Bahamas and Bermuda, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, Spain and Sweden, South Africa and Australia, Shanghai and Seoul.”

One thing unique about covering golf is that it takes four days to decide the winner; however dead lines must still be met, which makes Ferguson’s job hectic on Sunday afternoons.

Ferguson received a BA in Spanish at ACU. During his last semester, he realized he did not want to teach Spanish, so he played with the idea of double majoring-adding Public Relations to the mix. Pam Money, the wife of ACU’s tenth president Dr. Royce Money, persuaded him to get a Master’s degree instead.

Deciding to switch his school colors to crimson and cream, Ferguson took master’s classes at the University of Oklahoma. He was constructing research projects when he decided to volunteer at The Oklahoma Daily, the school newspaper.

“I went from sports writing to sports editor and eventually editor,” Ferguson said. “Owen Canfield was the Oklahoma City sports editor for the Associated Press, and I used to race him every night to try to finish my story first. I usually lost, but it was great competition for me.”

In the summer of 1987, the AP hired Ferguson as an intern where he soon filled the Oklahoma City sports editor’s position at the Orange Bowl for the national title game between Miami and Oklahoma.

In 1998, Ferguson worked on Phillips Petroleum quarterly earning reports when his phone rang. His bureau chief asked him if he could cover a golf tournament in Jamaica because the golf writer had become ill.

Jamaica was the beginning of more business trips for the golf writer.

Ferguson said his favorite tournament is the Masters.

“The place is magical,” Ferguson said. “It’s like being at Disney for golfers. Something special always happens.”

In mid-April, the Master’s will be underway again where Ferguson will talk to returning champion and Texas native Jordan Spieth.

“I like talking to Spieth because he shows a lot of respect when listening to questions and trying to answer them,” Ferguson said.

For ACU students who may be feeling pressure due to graduation being around the corner, know that Doug was in your shoes.

“To be honest, I think I went to graduate school to buy time, which I needed,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson encourages students to do their homework and learn the importance of preparation.

“If I don’t prepare- if I don’t invest the time and study to do my job- it shows,” Ferguson said. “So start there. And with that in mind, my real advice would be to remember that our power is found in weakness. It’s okay to fail. It’s not okay to quit trying.”

The Abilene Reporter News publishes Ferguson’s writing for every weekend tournament.

Filed Under: News, Sports

Other News:

  • Gallery: Spring commencement honors 2021-22 graduates

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

About Mary Kate Rotenberry

You are here: Home / News / ACU alum hits the fairway

Other News:

  • Gallery: Spring commencement honors 2021-22 graduates

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....