Behind the scenes with Charlie Reynolds: Directing ESPN’s iconic Masters coverage

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Although viewers of ESPN’s coverage of the Masters Tournament probably don’t know who Charlie Reynolds is, he plays a major role in what they’re seeing on ESPN this week from the iconic event.

From inside a mobile ESPN production unit situated in the mammoth content production center at Augusta National Golf Club, the 15-year ESPN veteran serves as director for much of the ESPN content, including SportsCenter at the Masters, Welcome to the Masters, practice round shows on ESPN+ and more.

“Having grown up watching the Masters every year since I was a kid, getting the opportunity to come here and walk around the grounds was special,” said Reynolds, who is working his eighth Masters. “And now one of my favorite parts of directing here is showing off this beautiful course to people who may never get the opportunity to visit here in person.”

For the Masters, ESPN utilizes a hybrid production model that Reynolds and others execute with team members split between Augusta and back at ESPN headquarters in Bristol for the week of the event.

“Integrated shows are a challenge and difficult to keep clean,” Reynolds said.

“We utilize a fully staffed control room in Bristol to insert graphics, features, spin sound and long highlights,” he said. “The team in Augusta provides all cameras on the course, talent, player interviews, pressers, CBS feeds and short turn highlights.”

Reynolds’ prep for the Masters begins in January. He maintains a shared document that helps keep ESPN’s production and operations groups on the same page while planning and onsite.

“A great integration starts and ends with two things: organization and communication,” he said. “The integration director and I must communicate as one. Small details like who is cuing talent, when are we free to cut with or without a graphic, and who is driving the rundown are a few examples of communication that must be in sync.”

In addition to the Masters and the PGA Championship, ESPN’s other golf major, Reynolds also works on tennis majors, the NBA and college football and basketball. The Bristol, Tenn., native, who started his career in local television, previously spent six seasons on the road during football season with the SEC Network’s SEC Nation show.

He always looks forward to the Masters.

“It’s a very small group of select people who are extremely invested in this project,” he said. “We all love it. We get to put the best pictures on TV, and hopefully, everybody at home enjoys what we do.”

For more on ESPN’s coverage of the Masters, visit ESPN Press Room