Why This CEO And Augusta National Member Gets To Play At The Masters

Forbes

12-04-2025

Michael McDermott, an Augusta National member and accomplished amateur golfer, has played in the ... More Masters the past several years as a non-competing marker. (Photo by)
If you're a die-hard recreational golfer, prepare to be a little envious.
Michael McDermott has one of the best jobs in golf this weekend, serving as a non-competing 'marker' at the Masters where he plays alongside a participant when there's an odd number of golfers in the tournament field. Saturday's third round saw McDermott playing with Tom Kim at Augusta National Golf Club.
While the prospect of facing Augusta National's treacherous greens under major championship conditions would be overwhelmingly intimidating for most amateur golfers, McDermott is a unique case, to say the least. The successor to longtime Masters marker Jeff Knox, the 50-year-old McDermott is a +3 handicap, one of the most successful amateur golfers in the history of the Golf Association of Philadelphia region, and a member at not only Augusta National, but storied Philadelphia-area clubs such as Pine Valley, Merion and Aronimink.
Michael McDermott (left) played alongside Tom Kim during the third round of the 2025 Masters ... More Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo by)
McDermott might not have a professional tour card, but his golf resume is among the most accomplished in the game.
McDermott is the CEO of Kathmere Capital Management, whose headquarters in Wayne, Pennsylvania, is within about 10 miles of both Merion and Aronimink, and has been in wealth management industry for over 25 years.
A two-time winner of Pine Valley's Crump Cup, one of the nation's premier amateur events, and a five-time GAP Player of the Year, McDermott became a member at Augusta National eight years ago. In 2023, he made his debut as a marker at the Masters and reputedly hit a drive of more than 300 yards off the opening tee, outdriving his playing partner (the older and short-hitting Mike Weir) by an estimated 40 yards.
Michael McDermott made his debut as a marker at the Masters during the 2023 tournament at Augusta ... More National, one of a handful of heralded private clubs at which he is a member. (Photo by)
Golf seems to run in the blood of the McDermott family.
His father Neal, a former executive with Philadelphia Electric, was GAP president from 2002-2005 and a scratch golfer who won GAP father-son titles with all three of his sons. Michael was the oldest of the trio, all of whom played golf at Saint Joseph's University in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. In addition to getting a finance degree in 1997, Michael McDermott was a three-time All-Atlantic 10 selection and as a senior was recognized as the top senior athlete in his class in addition to being named an All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America. He was later inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame and for years helped the golf team as an assistant coach.
McDermott went on to a career in finance and today has three sons of his own, but for years was a dominating presence in the Philadelphia-area amateur ranks as well as on a national level. He won the Pennsylvania Mid-Am four times and once shot 62 during a club event at Pine Valley, which is widely recognized as the No. 1 course in the U.S., ahead of even Augusta National. In the second of his two Crump Cup victories in 2017, McDermott eagled Pine Valley's par-4 17th hole in the final match.
While playing less competitive golf these days, McDermott is still actively involved in the game. He's a co-founder of The GolfBridge Society, which seeks to mentor junior golfers in the Philadelphia area through a no-cost development program that combines unique playing opportunities with leadership and life lessons. He is also a board member of the Cobbs Creek Foundation, a nonprofit that's restoring the historic Cobbs Creek Golf Course in partnership with the City of Philadelphia in addition to creating a state-of-the-art golf and educational campus for youth.
McDermott walks off the fourth tee with his caddie during the third round of the 2025 Masters ... More Tournament. (Photo by)
The Masters markers don't keep an official score, although their name is announced by the starter on the first tee and they play from the same tees as the other competitors. They also can become a bit of a cult hero around the grounds of Augusta National, as many patrons relish seeing an unknown amateur keeping up with (and occasionally outshining) some of the best pros in the game.
For years, Knox was that fortunate fellow.
Now its McDermott, who's quietly built (and still building) a legacy in golf all his own.