Masters champion's success is a team effort
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Last year, Zach Johnson rattled off a list of names after winning the Masters Tournament. Even if you're unfamiliar with those names, you know their work: Mr. Johnson's golf swing, putt and pace.
They don't wear jerseys, but the team behind the green shoots for a common goal: Mr. Johnson's golf game.
"It's kind of like a little NASCAR team," said Mike Bender, Mr. Johnson's swing coach.
Mr. Johnson has a few others in his crew: putting coach Pat O'Brien, mental coach Morris Pickens and conditioning coach Chris Noss, in addition to caddie Damon Green and agent Brad Buffoni.
Mr. Buffoni, who also manages other golfers, said that most golfers just have an agent and an instructor but that Mr. Johnson's team of coaches isn't unique.
"Zach is very good at understanding where he's at and understanding what he needs to have his success," Mr. Buffoni said.
The Team Zach member of longest standing is Mr. Bender, who has been with Mr. Johnson since 2000.
"One of the reasons that makes him so good is he's slow to change," Mr. Bender said.
The most recent addition is Dr. Pickens, who joined after the U.S. Open in June 2006. The others have been working with Mr. Johnson for three to eight years.
"I think he has a peace and confidence in us all," Mr. Bender said.
He is good at delegating and trusting the people around him, Mr. Buffoni said.
"Once he does bring you on the team, your opinion and your vote matters," he said.
All of the coaches interact regularly to improve his game. They also attend a "mini summit" to work together.
They recognize and respect one another's specialties, Dr. Pickens said.
"We have our boundaries where we let the expert in that area give the instruction," he said.
Their work doesn't go unnoticed -- Mr. Johnson appreciated his team so much that he took them all to Bermuda for the Grand Slam.
"There's not one bad member on the team, so to speak," Mr. O'Brien said. "No one tries to take all the credit."
Aside from Mr. Green, the others who work with Mr. Johnson also work with other golfers and have other jobs they fulfill in the golfing world.
"I think we all have other responsibilities and obligations, but when it relates to Zach, we certainly work as a team," Mr. Buffoni said.
Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.
TEAM ZACH
Mike Bender
YEAR JOINED THE TEAM: 2000
ABOUT MR. BENDER: He owns a golf academy in Lake Mary, Fla., close to Orlando. He works with other pro golfers and gives lessons.
WHAT HE DOES: When Mr. Johnson is home in Orlando, he goes to the Mike Bender Golf Academy to practice and work with Mr. Bender. They have worked on Mr. Johnson's swing plane, rhythm and tempo, lengthening his swing and completing his back swing, in addition to his wedge game.
In the past year, it's been mostly about maintenance.
ABOUT THE TEAM: Mr. Bender has worked with Mr. Johnson the longest and frequently attends tournaments with the other coaches.
"We're all good friends," he said.
Pat O'Brien
YEAR JOINED THE TEAM: 2001
ABOUT MR. O'BRIEN: When he's not working with Mr. Johnson, he's working with other golfers or teaching at Lakewood Country Club in Dallas.
WHAT HE DOES: He says half of his job is working on the fundamentals, and half is affirming that Mr. Johnson is doing the right thing, "telling him everything looks great."
He works with Mr. Johnson six or seven times per year, and other times they'll communicate through picture messages or phone calls.
ABOUT THE TEAM: "I can't stress enough how much a team it really is," he said.
At times he and Mr. Bender will trade ideas, but when it gets down to training, they let each other do their specialty.
Damon Green
YEAR JOINED TEAM: 2004
ABOUT MR. GREEN: A former player, he draws on his experience to help Mr. Johnson. He previously worked four years with Scott Hoch.
Mr. Green said he took a chance when he decided to work with Mr. Johnson, who was a rookie at the time, but says it was a "chance of a lifetime" he's never regretted.
WHAT HE DOES: Mr. Green is the only member of the team that works exclusively with Mr. Johnson, spending eight hours per day with him, and traveling 26 weeks each year. His duties include walking the course for yardage, practicing with Mr. Johnson and working on strategy.
ABOUT THE TEAM: If he sees something is off, then he'll call on the coach that can help.
"I'm basically all the other team (members') eyes and ears," he said.
Morris Pickens
YEAR JOINED TEAM: 2006
ABOUT DR. PICKENS: He's working with four other guys who'll be in Augusta this year, and he also works at the Sea Island Golf Learning Center as a performance specialist.
WHAT HE DOES: Dr. Pickens and Mr. Johnson do a lot of off-season planning, such as looking at statistics, planning a day-to-day calendar and working on efficiency. They meet 15 to 20 times per year.
"We look at, what are his tendencies," Dr. Pickens said.
Something as simple as walking too fast can make a difference.
"It's hard to remember the basic stuff when you're trying to win your first major," he said.
ABOUT THE TEAM: He works with the other coaches about good phrases to keep focus, and devises efficient mental drills.
"It's just fun when you're working with people that genuinely care about the student," he said.
Chris Noss
YEAR JOINED TEAM: 2005
ABOUT MR. NOSS: He's based in Orlando, so he and Mr. Johnson meet up about three times a week during the off-season, and do power-lifting. He also works with five other golfers, traveling 35 weeks out of the year.
WHAT HE DOES: He works on Mr. Johnson's flexibility, strength and nutrition: "all aspects of everything in the physical realm."
During the season, they'll meet up a couple times each day, for warm-ups in the morning, and at the end of the day for cardiovascular work and a strength program. They also work on yoga.
"So when Zach gets out to the course, he can call on that breath and that focus," he said.
ABOUT THE TEAM: The main person he works with is Mike Bender. They collaborate on things like improving strength and stability for a better back swing.
"It's my job to put it into play in the gym."
Brad Buffoni
POSITION: Agent and manager
YEAR JOINED THE TEAM: 2002
WHAT HE DOES: He describes himself as the quarterback of the team: He keeps Mr. Johnson's schedule and manages media outlets and appearances.
"Everything involved with his off-course career is mainly by myself."
ABOUT MR. BUFFONI: He serves as executive vice president for the SFX World Sports Management agency. He works with several other golfers, including Augusta native Vaughn Taylor.
ABOUT THE TEAM: "Zach wants to be one of the best players," he said. He has sought out the help of other people to help him get there, he said.
