Hammons: Golf Channel Says Goodbye To One Of The Originals

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Brian Hammons, original member of the Golf Channel team since the network's inception, has not had his contract renewed after 21 years.

Hammons announced the news in a Tweet.

Golf Channel Executive Producer Molly Solomon issued this statement:

Brian Hammons has been a valued member of the Golf Channel team, anchoring telecasts through the years with class and professionalism. During this Sunday's pregame telecast of the Champions Tour Charles Schwab Cup Championship, we will pay tribute to Brian. And on behalf of Golf Channel, I would like to wish Brian the best and thank him for his contributions to Golf Channel.

Scott Van Pelt, a former assistant and later Golf Channel personality now with ESPN, Tweeted:

Feherty Has More To Say On Move From CBS; Guest Wish List

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Marika Washchyshyn at golf.com talks to David Feherty about his move from CBS to NBC and for the first time the funnyman mentions that there was a bit of a money issue.

Answering a question about rumors of wanting more booth time and less golf course time:

It was a combination of things. Money was always an issue, of course. I have been doing this for about 19 years, it was time to make that change. But the other aspect was that I’m going to be doing basically the same thing at NBC/Golf Channel. I’m going to be working more four-day events there than I was at CBS. Because I’m working all four days, whereas I was only working five four-day events at CBS, I’m going to work less events overall but more of the four day ones [by extension, more time in the booth]. The first few days, I’ll be in the tower like I was at CBS, but look, I’m an outside pet. Someone has got to be out there stirring things up on the course.

There was also this about his Golf Channel interview show and desired guests. It really is sad that for all the First Team All-Conference sucking up he's done to Tiger, the Big Bat hasn't been able to find time for an appearance.

There are a number who are on my bucket list, some of whom haven’t been able to come on because of scheduling, like Freddy [Couples], Ernie Els, Phil, Tiger. But really, I’d say Tiger. I want to show the side of Tiger that I know, the side the media doesn’t show. Part of the reason he hasn’t been on is that he’s not ready - he gets defensive, because we in the media have given him such a hard time.

And it just goes to show that even kissing up to Tiger doesn't earn you the chance for a one-on-one!

Forward Press: Next Wave Of New Media Golf Content?

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With music mogul Irving Azoff capping off an impressive first season of Callaway Live Tuesday at 9 pm ET, I explore the ambitious first season as well as the possibility of other manufacturers getting into the content business.

Taylor Made is rumored to be looking at doing a similar show, while Titleist, PING and Cobra are already doing quality video content for their websites. Considering how much of Golf Channel's inventory is now devoted to live tournament action and with Back9 network long gone, viewers may have their appetite for talk, equipment design insights and lifestyle entertainment fed by the people who sell them clubs.

Also this week: Golf Channel's Jordan Spieth special and woohoo, opening day for the PGA Tour.

ABC Gets Back In The Golf Business With LPGA Finale

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I'm hoping the Love Unlimited Orchestra's "Love Theme" is employed at some point to highlight ABC--ABC!--carrying the final round of the LPGA Tour's CME Group Tour Championship on November 22nd. Golf Channel will carry the first three days.

Granted, it's the ESPN golf team, but this is an encouraging sign for golf that a solid broadcast team is going to get a few more reps even as the worldwide leader cuts costs to please parent company Disney. With ABC not carrying the NFL or MLB, could the network that was so pivotal in cultivating golf on TV be an outlet for more LPGA or PGA Tour events down the road?

From an LPGA Tour release:

Tom Rinaldi will call the play on ABC’s telecast, joined by the team that called the RICOH Women’s British Open Championship on ESPN: Dottie Pepper, Judy Rankin, Andy North and Billy Kratzert, led by coordinating producer Mike McQuade - will cover the final round for ABC. The first three rounds will be broadcast on Golf Channel, with ESPN producing the telecasts.