Duck is in his element
Former member of ASU golf team scouts for players
He always imagined being at Augusta National Golf Club during the Masters Tournament. Just not in this capacity.
Former Augusta State University standout Robert Duck finds himself with clubhouse access this week, but not as a golfer.
Based in London, Duck oversees the European division of Hambric Stellar Golf. He is a player manager who handles public relations and marketing for seven clients, including 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle, 2005 European Tour Rookie of the Year Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, former Augusta State All-American Oliver Wilson (No. 26 on the 2006 European Tour Order of Merit) and Francesco Molinari (No. 40).
Though Lyle missed the cut Friday, Duck hung around for the weekend. After all, there are meetings to attend and hobnobbing to do with people from all walks of golf.
"I thoroughly enjoy working with Sandy," Duck said. "It's been nice to have someone at the beginning of their career (Wilson) and someone at the end (Lyle). I've got it good."
Duck has strong ties to the area. He married Augusta State classmate Michelle Digsby, of Evans, last year. He owns a house he rents out in Columbia County.
He played for Augusta State from 1997-2001, was named an all-American his sophomore season and helped guide the Jaguars to three national championship appearances in four years.
After graduating with a marketing degree, he worked in the pro shop at Forest Hills Golf Club and served as an assistant coach for Augusta State.
Duck's big break came when he became the team's interim head coach for six weeks, spanning the gap between Jay Seawell and current coach Josh Gregory. In his brief coaching stint, Duck received a call from Rocky Hambric, who offered him a job. Duck turned him down.
"He told me no, and I wouldn't take no for an answer," Hambric said. "He's done a fantastic job. He's naturally gifted at what you have to have as a player manager."
Duck said his job is similar to that of a college coach. He travels about 15 weeks each year, scouting out young prospective golfers.
"I recruit talent," he said. "I manage young professional golfers."
One of Duck's biggest coups was landing Wilson. It seemed an easy signing, because Wilson and Duck played two seasons together in college.
Wilson originally turned down Hambric, though, and he was considering signing with a sports-management company in Atlanta. En route to the 2003 Walker Cup, however, Wilson turned to Duck for a quick lesson.
Wilson went 2-0-1 in the match-play event and helped lead Great Britain and Ireland to victory over the United States. Soon after, Wilson signed with Duck.
Duck still is looking for a few more golfers. Current prospects include Rhys Davies, an all-American at East Tennessee State, and 2005 U.S. Amateur champion Edoardo Molinari, Francesco's brother.
Of course, competition is tough. Duck is one of a handful of suitors trying to sign the two when they turn professional.
"We don't go after everybody," Duck said. "We want to have a manageable number of clients.
"It's highly competitive."
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.
