39-Year-Old Realtor Just Qualified for the Masters and He's Teeing Off With Bubba Watson

Brandon Holtz has walked the grounds at Augusta National 15 times as a spectator. This week, he's doing it with a scorecard in hand. The 39-year-old realtor from Bloomington, Illinois qualified through the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Troon Country Club in Arizona last September, and now he's about to tee off at 9:02 a.m. Thursday in a group with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. Let that sink in for a second.

From Gas Station Breakfast Runs to the Biggest Stage in Golf

Holtz's path to Augusta wasn't exactly the traditional pro golfer route. He played college basketball at Illinois State University, then turned pro in golf for a hot minute. Problem is, the travel costs ate him alive and reality kicked in fast. Now he's a successful realtor who plays in a 12-man scramble most Saturdays at Lakeside Country Club in Illinois, where membership for guys under 40 runs $1,835 and the adjacent gas station has become legendary for snacks between holes. This is a guy who lives a normal life and somehow qualified for the Masters.

"I'm the old fat guy out here. It's been great," Holtz said. He's been soaking it in since arriving, playing practice rounds with Tommy Fleetwood on Tuesday and Jordan Spieth on Wednesday. Not bad company. "Talk about two icons of the sport," he said. "At points in time I was just sitting back and watching them play."

His Dad's Lifetime Badges and One Shot at a Time

Holtz's access to Augusta runs deep. His father, Jeff, was awarded lifetime Masters badges in 2004 and is caddying for Brandon this week. On Wednesday, Holtz played in the par-3 contest with his wife Liz, their 6-year-old son Baker, and 2-year-old daughter Millie. It's family and golf in the most exclusive place on earth.

There's nothing for Holtz to prove out there. He's ranked at the tail end of a 91-player field that starts with names like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. But he's already getting the Masters treatment: a friend and the USGA arranged for his old driver to be sent to the course because he's been struggling with it. He's keeping expectations simple. "One shot at a time, trying not to get too far ahead of myself," Holtz said. "You don't know what you don't know."

Thursday at 9:02 a.m., he tees off. That's all that matters.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.