As the Masters Tournament tees off this week, it’s hard not to admire the iconic beauty of Augusta National Golf Club. For Joe Bond, one of Signature Landscape’s branch managers, that admiration runs deep—he once walked those legendary greens not as a guest, but as part of the team entrusted with maintaining them.
We sat down with Joe to learn about his time as an intern at Augusta National, what makes that place so extraordinary, and how the experience continues to influence the work he leads today.
Q&A with Joe Bond
Q: What was your role during your time at Augusta National?
I worked on the turf side of the grounds team. While there are two divisions—turf and nursery—I was assigned to the back nine greens, which included the famous Amen Corner. It was my job to monitor turf conditions, check for insect or disease damage, watch for signs of heat stress, and work with the turf team to plan irrigation and moisture management. In the summer heat, keeping those greens healthy was a constant focus.
Q: Did working there change your view of landscape work?
Absolutely. It helped me understand how far excellence can really go. Most courses—or commercial landscapes—don’t have that kind of budget or team size, but the mindset is something you can carry anywhere. At Signature, that shows up in how we plan for spring, how we train our teams, and how we try to get a little better every year.
Q: What was most impressive about Augusta’s approach to landscape and turf care?
The attention to detail is on another level. Everything was done intentionally. Hand pruning, tailored watering schedules, and constant evaluation of plant and turf health—it all added up to excellence. But the biggest thing that stuck with me? It’s the people. You can have all the right tools and equipment, but it’s the team that makes it all work. That’s true at Augusta, and it’s just as true at Signature.
Q: Were there any techniques or practices you brought back with you?
Joe: Definitely the mindset. At Augusta, every detail matters. That mindset has stayed with me. Whether we’re preparing a commercial property or troubleshooting a challenge on site, I always try to bring that same level of care and awareness to our work. And again, it’s about surrounding yourself with good people who want to get better every day. That’s what makes the difference.
Q: What surprised you most about the experience?
Joe: Just how many people are behind the scenes. Everyone has a specific role and works together to pull off something that looks effortless. The average golfer probably doesn’t realize how much goes into making the course look that good. But that level of collaboration and planning was something I really admired—and it’s something I try to foster in my own teams now.
Joe’s time at Augusta National wasn’t just about perfect greens and legendary fairways—it was about learning what it takes to achieve excellence through teamwork, planning, and passion for the craft. Those lessons continue to shape the way he leads his team at Signature Landscape today. Just like the turf at Augusta, great landscapes don’t happen by accident—they’re made possible by great people.