PGA's Grand Slam Moving To Trump National L.A.
/With a major international airport just twenty-minutes away maybe the PGA of America's Grand Slam of Golf stands a better chance of luring the major winners to the toughest ticket to punch in golf. Most exciting of all is the showcasing of the PGA Junior League Championship on the same course the weekend prior.
Golf Channel replaces TNT a year before the contract expired, offering some hope that the annual telecast of the PGA Championship might get moved away from Turner's properties sooner than later.
For Immediate Release:
33rd PGA Grand Slam of Golf to be hosted by Trump National Golf Club – Los Angeles
Showcase of Major Champions Week to also feature PGA Junior League Golf Championship
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. (March 10, 2015) – Trump National Golf Club – Los Angeles, one of the most spectacular golf courses in the country, will host the 33rd PGA Grand Slam of Golf, Oct. 19-21, 2015. The showcase of major champions is part of a multi-year agreement between the PGA of America and the Trump Organization.
It marks the event’s first return to the U.S. mainland since 1993. Golf Channel will televise the event beginning this year.
In addition, PGA Grand Slam week at Trump National Golf Club – Los Angeles will feature the 2015 PGA Junior League Golf Championship, Oct. 17-19.
“The PGA of America begins a new chapter in celebrating the winners of the Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and PGA Championship through an exciting partnership with The Trump Organization, the owner and operator of a large portfolio of exceptional golf properties,” said PGA of America President Derek Sprague. “The PGA Grand Slam of Golf has always been a showcase for the best in our game. We are pleased that Trump National Golf Club – Los Angeles will provide a great challenge to the game’s finest players.”
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf features the most difficult qualification requirement in the game – a major championship.
“We are thrilled to welcome the PGA to Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles--- the perfect location for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf,” said Donald Trump, Chairman and President of the Trump Organization. “It’s an incredible course situated on dramatic bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and will be a challenging and exciting test for the best players in the world. The combination of the course itself and stunning location will no doubt be a major draw for spectators and television viewers alike.”
Golf Channel’s coverage of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf will air live on Tuesday, Oct. 20 and Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET and include primetime replays. Golf Channel’s coverage will be led by 29-time Emmy Award-winning producer Tommy Roy. Additionally, Golf Channel will cover Monday’s Pro-Am, as well as live news coverage on Morning Drive and Golf Central for both the PGA Grand Slam of Golf and PGA Junior League Golf Championships.
I'll be reporting both developments on Golf Channel's Golf Central at 6 pm ET.
**Golf Central's report on the move to Los Angeles, which gives players from around the world one less reason to skip. There was no word on the purse today but the event figures to see an increase there as well to help lure the major winners.
My take on the news, which was really more exciting in (A) bringing an event to the LA area where spectators can walk with the major winners (even The Donald found that cool) and (B) the PGA Junior Golf League getting some great exposure potentially.
**The replacement of TNT by Golf Channel does not mean a similar move is pending for the PGA Championship, controlled by Turner currently, writes Doug Ferguson:
Golf Channel will televise the event for the first time. It previously was broadcast by TNT Sports.
PGA chief executive Pete Bevacqua said Turner Sports will continue its relationship with the PGA of America and that both sides are committed to TNT showing the opening two rounds and early weekend coverage of the PGA Championship. Turner also manages the PGA of America website.
PGA CEO Bevacqua addressed the change in today's press conference from Trump National Los Angeles:
And I would also say, great partnerships and great relationships are what allow you to achieve great things in golf. And we have very good partners in Golf Channel and our friends at Turner Sports and TNT. And when we all sat down in a room, we understood what each entity was trying to do: A change in direction for TNT and Turner in the fall months really gear towards entertainment and original programming that made sense for them and for us, and it allowed us the opportunity to join forces with a great partner in Golf Channel and NBC.
So Golf Channel will be televising the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, they will be building really a week‑long programming around this event, drawing more attention to PGA Junior League Golf, as well, extended coverage, coverage of the Pro‑Am. We think that's another element, another ingredient in this recipe for great success for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
