Ever wonder how executives in sports business spend their weekends? THE DAILY this week continues "What's Up For The Weekend," providing readers with an inside look at people in our industry. This week HP Byron Nelson Championship Tournament Dir JON DRAGO chats with Staff Writer Theresa Manahan while putting the finishing touches on this weekend's PGA Tour event.
Q: What are your plans for this weekend?
Drago: I'll grab some coffee and visit with HP to make sure they are getting all they can out of this year's event, as well as visit with some players to get their take on our tournament. Each morning, I'll meet with our vice chairs to prepare for the upcoming day and work closely with our operations director to help with last minute issues that arise, and meet with vendors to make sure all the details are being taken care of. After some Red Bull, I'll handle a multitude of ticket requests and keep an eye on the parking lots to make sure we’re not getting over crowded. I'll try to remember to eat and, finally, I’ll check the leaderboard at the end of the day.
Q: What are you really looking forward to this weekend?
Drago: Watching our team do their magic. I’ve got a great staff and a great group of volunteers, and if all is going well with the weather, it’s always fun to watch the competition develop.
Q: What is your favorite local course to play on the weekends?
Drago: There’s a lot of great golf courses in the area, and this one we’re playing on this week (TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas) is as good as any of them. Nowadays, though, I'll take the three-hole loop at Walnut Creek Country Club in Mansfield with my nine-year-old daughter whenever I can get it!
Q: What do you like to watch and read on the weekend?
Drago: Weekends tend to disappear in the months leading up to our tournament, so I’m looking forward to having weekends again. I love to sit and read the paper on Sunday morning. In the fall it’s all University of Texas football.
Q: What workout routines or activities do you like to do on the weekend?
Drago: Workout routine? Yes, I plan on having one of those some day. Besides the tournament, my weekend activities these days are mostly focused around my daughter's soccer team, and that’s just fine by me.
Q: What is the one thing our readers would be most surprised you do on the weekend?
Drago: I teach Sunday school.
Q: Best weekend ever?
Drago: Probably the weekend in 1993 that my wife (JENNIFER) surprised me, picked me up at work and said we were “going out.” We drove from Palm Beach to New Orleans for the Final Four. Great surprise.
Q: Favorite weekend getaway?
Drago: Camping with the kids (EMMA, 9, and SOPHIA, 6). Hands down.
Q: Guilty weekend pleasure?
Drago: Morning golf round, followed by an afternoon by the smoker with a slab of ribs and a Longhorn football game.
Q: Favorite local restaurant?
Drago: La Familia Mexican Restaurant in Ft. Worth.
