Golf Channel Anywhere, Any Device...Almost

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As with ESPN, HBOGO and other entertainment apps, Golf Channel is announcing today expanded coverage via its app that allows for viewing of live coverage and original programming. All you need is a cable subscription or a friend's subscription or a cable company other than mine to access Golf Channel almost anywhere via smart phones or tablets.

For Immediate Release...

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 23, 2013) – Golf Live Extra, will begin live streaming Golf Channel 24/7 via “TV Everywhere” beginning Wednesday, April 24. Golf Live Extra, which is available via Golf Channel’s digital platforms on desktop, mobile and tablets, as well as on most digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, telco and other video subscription services, will stream Golf Channel around the clock, including the network’s coverage of tournaments, news, instruction and original programming.
 
“Golf Channel’s mission to connect the world to golf will be enhanced by Golf Live Extra making the same high-quality network available to golfers anywhere, anytime and on any device,” said Mike McCarley, President of Golf Channel and NBC Golf Media. “Golf Live Extra will satisfy golfers’ desire to watch Golf Channel on the best screen available, whether that is on their laptop on a business trip, a tablet on the driving range or a phone on their lunch break.”
 
Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Comcast Xfinity TV, DISH, Mediacom, Suddenlink and Verizon FiOS are the first providers to offer this new service to their customers. It is anticipated that other subscription services will be added shortly. The vast majority of content on Golf Live Extra will be streamed only via “TV Everywhere” and made available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of Golf Channel’s distribution partners’ services.
 
Golf Channel, which logged the network’s most-watched year ever in 2012 and is off to its fastest start ever in 2013, provides viewers with high-quality content including:

· Tournament coverage from all the major tours including the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, European Tour and Champions Tour. Golf Channel has been streaming golf competition on the PGA TOUR since January 2013, via “TV Everywhere” on Golf Live Extra.

· News and analysis programming including Morning Drive, Golf Central, Live From and Grey Goose 19th Hole.

· Instructional series including Playing Lessons, School of Golf, The Golf Fix, and Golf Channel Academy.

· Original productions including Feherty, The Haney Project: Michael Phelps, Big Break and In Play with Jimmy Roberts.
 
“Golf Channel’s digital platforms have experienced tremendous growth since joining the NBC Sports Group in 2011 and Golf Live Extra furthers our mission to provide viewers the best golf content available, no matter where they are,” said Rick Cordella, SVP & GM, Digital Media, NBC Sports Group. “Live streaming of Golf Channel via Golf Live Extra offers another high-quality user experience that complements all of our other platforms, whether you want to follow the professional tours, get tips on how to improve your game, or get a unique perspective from the top personalities in golf.”
 
Golf Live Extra rounds out Golf Channel’s digital portfolio, which ranked #1 among all digital properties dedicated to golf in unique visitors in February and March according to comScore. Golf Channel’s digital portfolio currently includes:

· GolfChannel.com & Golf Channel Mobile: A leading resource for online coverage of golf, GolfChannel.com and Golf Channel Mobile logged their best quarter ever this past first quarter 2013, pulling in record numbers across all key metrics including visits and video starts.

· Golf Channel Academy App: The network’s mobile instructional application, which features Golf Channel’s extensive library of instructional videos and the ability to tap into the expertise of certified SwingFix instructors, anywhere, anytime on their mobile devices.

I can listen to Michael Breed yell anywhere, anytime! Hallelujah!

· GolfNow.com & GolfNow Mobile App: The largest and most comprehensive online tee time reservation service, GolfNow offers golfers more ways to stay connected to their favorite courses and tee times through the web, e-mail and iPhone and Android mobile apps.

· Golf Live Extra: Golf Channel’s live streaming product for desktop, mobile and tablets, Golf Live Extra provides live streaming of the linear TV network to authenticated subscribers.

Vijay Survives Last Friday's Idea News Dump; More Fridays Loom

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A cynical friend pointed out--because I know nothing about cynicism--that last Friday was the ideal opportunity for a PGA Tour news dump on expected (or is it anticipated?) disciplinary action in the Vijay Singh deer antler case. What with the post Masters buzz, bombing coverage and other distractions, what better time to bury news of a Hall of Famer's situation?

Well there's always this Friday, as Jason Sobel asked PGA Tour SVP Ty Votaw for the latest news on Singh's case.

When asked Monday about whether a decision has been reached regarding Singh’s situation, Tour executive vice president of communications Ty Votaw simply said, “No.” When asked if there was a timeframe for such a decision, he similarly responded in the negative.

Should We Be Rushing 14-Year-Old's To The Big Stage?

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At the suggestion it was a bit much to be putting a 14-year-old on a stage like the Masters, yours truly has been met with shock for not being on board with golf joining the youth obsession that has never served anyone well, particularly athletes.

Thankfully, in this weekend's WSJ column, John Paul Newport looks at Tianlang Guan (playing this week in New Orleans) and quietly suggests that success at 14 is not a guarantee of success.

The road from success at 14 years old to adult stardom is long and disjointed. "Golf is so different from other sports because careers are so long," said Pia Nilsson, who has coached Annika Sorenstam, Suzann Pettersen and Ai Miyazato, among others. "Very often the boys and girls who are good at an early age are not the ones who are good later on."

In sports like gymnastics, diving and ice skating, motivated youngsters with an extensive coaching and support system peak in their teens. Then they're done. But before golf prodigies reach their prime, at the earliest in their 20s and more often in their 30s, a lot of life intervenes.

"Of course, you can learn to get very good at a young age. We see that more and more, especially in Asia, where very young boys and girls are practicing harder and harder," Nilsson said. "But being the best golfer you can possibly be requires long-term thinking and an understanding that we are human beings and we have to grow up."

Zach & Dustin WD From Korea Event Due To "Perceived Unrest"

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I suspect Zach Johnson and Dustin Johnson have read a few too many New York Times stories and decided the perceived unrest was too much, even with an appearance fee at stake for this week's lightly anticipated Ballantine's Championship in South Korea.

A statement from Ballantine's confirmed the WD's and the unusual reason given:

Ballantine’s is disappointed to announce that Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson have informed us they will no longer be attending the Ballantine’s Championship. They have reached this decision following perceived unrest on the Korean Peninsula and can no longer assure their commitment to this year’s event.

Ballantine’s can, however, confirm a list of world-class players attending the Ballantine’s Championship, including Louis Oosthuizen, YE Yang, Bae Sang Moon, Paul Lawrie, Thomas Björn, Thongchai Jaidee, Marcus Fraser and Paul Casey.

Ballantine’s and event organisers, The European Tour, would like to reiterate that the tournament is going ahead as planned with a full field of European, Asian and Korean PGA Tour members. Ballantine’s has been kept fully up to date on relevant issues and The European Tour has also been liaising with key decision makers, including the Foreign Office, who have not warned of any increased risk to those travelling to or within the country.

We are looking forward to hosting a number of the world’s leading players and some of Korea’s best golfing talent at the Ballantine’s Championship later this week.

Planning Going As Expected For Pinehurst Opens

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AP's Joedy McCreary reports from Thursday's press conference at Pinehurst to promote next year's U.S. Open/U.S. Women's Open combo platter.

It seems green speeds will be the same for both men and women...

The course will be slightly longer for the men and the greens will be a touch softer a week later for the women.

Davis says No. 2 will play at roughly 7,500 yards for the men’s event and approximately 6,800 yards for the women. Par will be 70 for both. He says the greens will be roughly 11½ to 12 on the stimpmeter.

“Our goal really is to have the women hitting roughly the same kind of shot into the greens and roughly the same kind of shot off the tees,” Davis said.

Also interesting is the lack of consideration (for now) given to a joint Opens sequel.

"There has not been discussion in-house about, 'Let's name another back-to-back Open site,'" Davis said. "I really do think we want to see how this goes and take it from there. It could be a giant hit and we say, 'This is great for the game.'

"There's things that can go wrong on this, too," he added. "I do think we're very bullish on this. There's a lot more upside to this than downside, but there certainly are risks and we knew going into it."

John Dell also covered the day and focused on what will be one of the first Opens with hardly any rough as we've come to know it at the U.S. Open.