Last week i had the great oportunity to work in the Iberdrola Open of Majorca, in the media center doing my first work as a journalist.
I got mixed up in a dynamic work environment, friendly, and very interesting. But something caught my eye, a white hair in the front row, right in front of Score Board, turned his head, and blue eyes full of experience and an innocent smile, said: "Morning."
His name, Jock MacVicar, a man who has inspired my days in the media center, which has helped me understand that if something you really like, you can exploit it to the end.
Noting with watchful eye during the first three days, I finally raised my value for an interview.
He very willingly agreed, and I was pleased to hear that his life had been to.
- Jock, I'm very surprised because you seem a very energetic person, here in the tournament, and I look at myself and think: Wow! Someday I want to be like him! Work until the end!
Yes. The key is that you like what you do. I have 40 years working in sports, I always liked golf, but I began writing about soccer. It's a wonderful profession, in which I have seen great changes ... I started with pen and paper, and look, now I have a laptop!
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| Jock McVicar and me |
- When did you decide to start with journalism? Did you go to college?
No, I never went to college. I started after spending two years in National Service. My father wrote for a local newspaper, the Scottish Daily Express, and I started writing here at 18. I was born in Kintyre in western Scotland, there was no university, and had no experience as a journalist, but I liked sports and write about them I liked.
I love to go out and talk to people and not have to cover the news from within is what I like. I started writing about football, and for years I combined with other sports, but eventually decided to concentrate only golf, and so took the last 10 years, writing about this sport that I am still playing.
- What handicap do you have?
I have 5 handicap, but of course, that's hard to keep it at my age. (Laughs). And also, the more you work, unless you can play.
- And your friends, your family ... What do they think about your job? Don’t say, Jock, you must rest! You work too hard!
The truth is that no, my father was editor of the newspaper that I quoted earlier, the Scottish Daily Express, and I knew what I "got" after seeing the trajectory of my father. My family understands that journalism is a way of life ... Even I'm single! (Laughs).
- Jock a personal question, how old are you?
It is not personal, do not worry! I turned 74 last year. The truth that to stay as active is to do things!
- The truth that age seems to pass by you; you’re here "at the bottom of the barrel", but at some point decide to depart from the profession. When do you plan to retire?
Possibly later this year, I'm older, now rest in my house in Glasgow.
- Many tournaments, so many reviews on golf, watched many games ... What has been the player who has impressed you most during your career?
The one I liked, no doubt Tom Watson.
- And any time you remember with passion and joy?
The most emotional moment I remember was when Europe won the Ryder Cup in 1995 in the United States ;lagged behind Europe in the individual. The Americans usually win every time but that day was us. I also remember it was a tough day and we had to write much time and information after the end of the meeting. But without doubt, remember the great "Duel in the Sun" between Nicklaus and Watson in which Watson won the 1997 British Open at Turnberry.
- You face lights up when you remember those moments. Hear you talking about what inspires me to think that in this profession I have nice opportunities, accompanied by effort and work, and that as a student who will finish the race, could you give me some advice?
That never works at newspapers because it will disappear! You start going to step forward and look for things that really going to have a future, is the technology age!
This was all Jock told me , and from there, I was pleased to continue to have dealings with him the rest of the days we were in Majorca enjoying his presence, his charisma and apparent sweetness. I hope to see him before he retires, he has been for me a person who unwittingly encouraged me every morning to do things in the media center, to catch me any more eager and willing to work in this profession more than ever .
It was an honor, a pleasure to meet Jock MacVicar.
