Will Jones ’84 said that his reverence and respect for Augusta National Golf Club led him to the post of Executive Director of the club that hosts The Masters, one of the four major championships in professional golf. Like Bobby Jones, one of the club’s co-founders (but no relation to Will), he believes in being a gentleman and doing things with integrity.

Will spoke to Woodward magazine when he was chosen for the top post at Augusta National in 2013, saying his Woodward education had given him many opportunities in life. After graduating from the Academy, he went to the University of Georgia on a football scholarship, earning a degree in finance and meeting his future wife, Karen (who was “Miss Georgia Football”). Will’s first experiences with Augusta National were during college, when he served as a volunteer at The Masters. He volunteered for 2 ½ years and was able to play the course for the first time. His father has been a volunteer at Augusta National for more than 40 years.

After graduating from UGA, Will went to work for a brokerage firm, married Karen, and settled into life in Atlanta. Just a few years later, he learned of a job opportunity at Augusta National and decided to inquire; he had a great interview but didn’t really feel qualified for the position. However, leaders at Augusta National didn’t see it that way. He was offered the job and started in March 1993 as the assistant for Business Affairs. At first, Will didn’t have his own office; he worked from a table in the executive director’s office, absorbing all that happened around him and sitting in on many meetings.

He held that role for about three years before being promoted to director of Business Affairs to run the club’s TV business. He traveled the nation and the world, helping to negotiate media deals. (While most sporting events have an agency to represent them, Augusta National represents itself.) Eventually, he was promoted to senior director of Business Affairs, handling all TV and media relationships and overseeing all merchandizing and sponsors.

Will said his greatest pride is in his family. He and Karen have three sons, William, and twins, Matthew and Jeff. In his personal and work lives, Will is committed to integrity, honesty, respect, and loyalty. When asked what gave him the courage to take a job he felt unqualified for all those years ago, he said, “I was taught by Coach [Graham] Hixon in algebra class that you got as much credit for the process as you got for the answer. Sometimes, you just have to trust the process and hope you find the right answer. It’s all a leap of faith.”

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