Emirates Golf Club’s Matthew Perry Reflects on Career-Highlight Week at Augusta National During the 2025 Masters
Wednesday 30th April 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Matthew Perry, Golf Course Superintendent at Emirates Golf Club, has returned from what he describes as the highlight of his career: working inside the ropes at the world-famous Augusta National Golf Club during the 2025 Masters.
Reflecting on the experience, Perry said stepping onto Augusta for the first time was unforgettable.
"It was a surreal moment. You think you know the course from watching on TV, but until you’re standing there, walking it, seeing the undulations, and understanding the design, you can’t truly appreciate how incredible it is.
The scale and beauty of the property is amazing; it’s an event everyone needs to experience at least once in their life. Every day walking that course felt like a privilege; it’s not only a career highlight but a personal one."
Following Augusta’s strict no-phone policy, Perry relied on creating "mental snapshots" throughout the week to capture the atmosphere, describing it as "unforgettable", with a "one-of-a-kind aura surrounding the event."
During Masters week, Perry was part of the morning fairway care teams, rotating between the front and back nine, and responsible for final checks ahead of play. He was also assigned to the third green during tournament play, discreetly clearing debris between groups.
"We would be the first and last people on course, making sure everything was immaculate. The attention to detail was phenomenal; every blade of grass, every step we took, mattered."
Evenings were spent divoting fairways, including iconic areas such as Amen Corner, which Perry described as a highlight of the week.
"There are 160 people dedicated solely to turf maintenance, greens, fairways, bunkers, plus another 90 looking after landscaping around the property," he explained.
"They overseed all playing surfaces with ryegrass, excluding the greens, which is different to what we do in Dubai. The commitment to daily conditioning was incredible."
Each morning began with team briefings, and throughout the day the no-phone policy would encourage meaningful interactions among agronomy staff and volunteers, many of whom have been returning for over 20 years.
"I had some great conversations about Dubai. A lot of people had seen the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on TV and were really complimentary about the course. It was great to see Dubai’s standards recognised on the world stage.
The chance to speak with superintendents from around the world and exchange insights was a real highlight. It reaffirmed that what we’re doing is, in many ways, aligned with global best practices."
Perry noted he had taken away valuable learnings around operational efficiency and attention to detail, which he looks forward to applying at Emirates Golf Club. One moment, however, stood out above all others.
"I was near the 15th green when Rory McIlroy eagled it on Saturday. The roar from the patrons was deafening. I've been at a lot of tournaments, but I’ve never heard anything like that. Almost every patron wanted him to win, and to see him complete the Grand Slam was incredible; a major career moment for Rory, fully deserved and widely celebrated."
With over 27 years of experience in golf course maintenance, Perry looks ahead with excitement as Emirates Golf Club prepares to host the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in partnership with the R&A and Augusta National Golf Club, and to welcome McIlroy back for the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in 2026.
"Being at Augusta reaffirmed that we’re doing a lot of things right in Dubai, but there’s always more to learn. Early preparation is key, and that’s our focus heading into the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. We’re aware of the high standard required and will begin major preparations from August, with course transition and maintenance taking place throughout the summer as we get ready to welcome the amateurs to the Majlis."
Concluding his reflections, Perry shared his deep appreciation: "Representing Emirates Golf Club at Augusta was an incredible honour. It’s given me memories for life and inspiration for the future. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned to keep raising standards here in Dubai."
Despite being a golfer himself, Perry emphasised that the fulfilment of the experience came from a turf management perspective.
"Whilst playing Augusta would be a dream for many, turf has always been my passion. Contributing to its condition was a career-defining experience that felt even more meaningful. It truly felt like a childhood dream fulfilled, bringing together my personal love for turf with the opportunity to grow professionally on the biggest stage."
He concluded by extending his gratitude: "I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Brent Seyer, Senior Director of Agronomy, and the entire Augusta team for the opportunity and for being so welcoming throughout the week. I’m proud to have represented Emirates Golf Club at such a prestigious event and to return with a renewed sense of passion for the game and for golf course management."