A truly unique encounter
By Pascal Garneau
Thursday, March 10, 2022,
A few years ago, while I was discovering Instagram, I came across some dream golf photos. Not just one, but dozens and dozens of photos flooded my little magnifying glass (search area) day after day.
By sharing them with friends, I realized that these photos always came from the same photographer and pretty much always from the same region: Channing Benjamin and Palm Springs.
Then, after being tested by these shots, I decided it was time to see if what the internet had to offer was comparable to reality.
Upon returning from a 7th getaway on Californian soil, the same magic still works on all my senses, it's simply my paradise, like all those who came to discover the places with me.
My meeting with Channing Benjamin
The lockdown was hard on everyone. Far from wanting to compare or even dramatize my fate, but for someone who had the luck to make 4 to 5 golf trips per year and who has accumulated more than 50 in the last decade, let's say I was a little more restless than usual.
To counter this boredom, I decided to take drastic measures and delete some accounts from my Instagram "friend" so as not to hurt myself more than necessary.
A few months ago, well before this last trip, one of my friends sends me a "story" from Channing Benjamin live from Big Horn, one of the most beautiful private courses in the greater Palm Springs area. As a sign of frustration and a bit of jealousy, the words: F$%? OFF were chained together and then suddenly sent, as stupid as it may seem, a mistake happened so quickly.
However, the response: "???" from my friend surprises me...
Finally realizing that I had not sent this response to my friend Danny but rather to none other than Channing Benjamin, who until then had no idea who or what Golfdudez was.
Realizing my mistake, I retort by apologizing 1000 times for this rudeness and explain to him that this response was addressed to someone else and not him.
Seeing that he replies and understands my mistake, I use this half-open door to let him know that I would visit his paradise that it would be an honor to meet him to talk about his journey in the world of photography. He tells me to write back to him a little closer to the date of my trip, in short I didn't really believe in my chances.
Once the trip arrived, I try my luck again by making the big request. We must not forget that he still has no idea who I am. I salute his great generosity because he finally decided to give me an appointment directly at the clubhouse of the private course where he is a member: Bermuda Dunes Country Club - host course of the defunct Bob Hope Classic of the PGA Tour and place of the last professional victory of the famous Arnold Palmer.
In short, Wednesday, March 2, I grab my best polo, my backpack, my camera and my little notebook of questions that I prepared with a coffee that same morning and I feel almost like a Golf Digest journalist. I had rarely experienced this stage fright in years.
As soon as I arrived on site, I realize that the place is paradisiacal. The kind of place where it is good to live (which is still normal when the entrance fee must exceed $10,000)
View behind the 18th hole of the Bermuda Dunes Country Club - a picture is worth 1000 words
I walk around the grounds and I see a man near his car with a familiar face. A big guy, strong, that I remember having on a few posts. I approach and say: "Mr. Benjamin?" and in turn he replies: "Pascal!"
The welcome was already warm. He invites me to follow him to the practice green and we start talking about everything and nothing.
It must be known that 2 golf enthusiasts who meet for the first time, it fustigates in all directions.
After 30 minutes of talking about everything and nothing, I ask him if we can get down to business, with very little seriousness.
Interview with Channing Benjamin
Who is the man behind the one I consider the greatest golf photographer in all the United States
1.His background
The man behind the camera was a video director in the art world for years. He was in charge of the tours of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears in their glory years until 2006.
2. How it all started
In the MySpace era, the man who considers himself more of an artist than a photographer began to take his own photos for himself without commercial purpose or project behind the initiative, only for his own pleasure and for the love of golf.
3. What was his 'Big Break'
It was in 2010 that Channing began to live off this project. He told me that in 2016 while his hobby was gaining more and more popularity with internet users, a contract with the prestigious Tradition golf club of La Quinta propelled him and gave him the visibility he needed to launch this new career.
4. A day in the life of the artist
From dawn until 9AM, the conditions are ideal for a first photo session. The editing part also takes up a large part of his time while about 4 hours per day (ratio 1:1) are needed to do justice to his work.
5. The most prestigious course in his eyes
A tie for someone who has seen more than 1000 courses in his life, but in his eyes, Pebble Beach remains the most phenomenal public golf while Brookline CC (host of the US Open in 2022) takes the palm of the private courses.
Brookline CC, host of the US Open 2022
6. His best score
The man with a handicap flirting with 'scratch' has played 68 a few times including at Tradition as well as at his club in Bermuda Dunes.
Channing is not only gifted behind the lens
7. His dream foursome
Tiger Woods as he is the one who made him discover this passion for golf
His father for everything that allowed him to accomplish in his life
Barack Obama for the whole work and the barriers he overcame
8. If he had one last round to play
It is at the Cypress Point club (near Pebble Beach) that he would play his last 18 holes. Even though he has already played it almost 40 times, each of his visits always leaves him speechless. He also holds a license for professional photos of the Pebble Beach resorts, which we say, is not given to the common mortal.
One of Channing Benjamin's photos at Cypress Point
9. What he expects professionally
Several contracts, new mandates and projects including one that is close to his heart and that we risk testing:
Golfphography - https://www.golfographyexperience.com/
A seminar on golf and for apprentice photographers who want to learn more about the field and how to add an artistic touch to the content and editing.
10. Who will win the Masters in 2022?
Hard to say, he believes however that Patrick Cantlay has everything necessary to leave with the green jacket
11. In Channing's bag
Beyond a limited edition Titleist bag and covers that you will find in the most private boutiques in the world, Channing plays with the following equipment:
Driver - TaylorMade Stealth Plus 9*
3-Wood - TaylorMade Sim2 - 15*
Utility : TaylorMade Sim UDI
Irons : TaylorMade P770 with new SteelFiber 110 shafts
Wedges : Cleveland RTX Zipcore
Putter : Limited Edition Bobby Grace Custom Shiloh Wide Body
-------------------------
In short, beyond a meeting as fascinating as pleasant, I met a gentleman and one of the greatest artisans who allows us to know and see more about golf.
It's crazy how the internet and its innovations allow the possibility of meeting people who would have been impossible to reach.
A huge thank you Channing and we'll play a match during my next visit to your corner of paradise!
To know and follow the man who will make you dream golf 365 days a year:
https://www.instagram.com/channingbenjaminphotography/
If you want to be the first Canadian golf course to get his services for your club, write to me directly, it will be my pleasure to put you in contact with the one who will make you shine for years.
