Memorial Tournament Direct Shares What A Post-COVID-19 PGA Tour Spectator-Attended Event Will Look Like

If the Memorial Tournament Presented by Nationwide takes place in July, 2020, it would be the second currently scheduled golf tournament in the COVID-19 era to welcome back include spectators (the John Deere Classic is scheduled to be the first).

Appearing on the Virtual Sports Report, the Memorial’s Dan Sullivan previewed things like no grandstands, volunteers in tournament-branded face coverings and more limited television coverage. Sean Zak at Golf.com documented all of the thoughts, but this is of particular note as we try to envision tournament operations of the future.

Among the biggest changes expected at the Memorial is tracking the whereabouts of fans. While there will be fewer spectators allowed on tournament grounds — ticket sales have purposefully been slowed to keep from over-populating — each spectator badge (and the badges of tournament staff/volunteers) will have within it an RFID tag. “At any time we can know, around the golf course, how many people are collecting in a certain area,” Sullivan said.

The full interview:

Turner Sells Out Ad Space For The Match, And Then Some

As unemployment skyrockets and the world economy continues a virtual halt, it’s curious to see how much corporate support there is for The Match 2, both in sponsorship and in ad sales. While the below story notes the various sponsors and buyers were locked in a month ago, the support has remained in part because of the match shifting to a charity effort.

Adweek’s Kelsey Sutton reports on the overwhelming financial outlay that is going to the $10 million charitable payout when Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning tee up May 24th at The Medalist.

Turner Sports is hopeful The Match will attract lots of eyeballs, and so are its advertising partners. The broadcaster is using the partially remote production to feature some unique on-air sponsorship opportunities.

Cisco has signed on as a content integration partner, and Turner Sports will use the videoconferencing application Webex to bring remote guests to the screen during the telecast, said Will Funk, Turner Sports’ evp, sports partnerships and branded content. DraftKings, another content integration partner, will provide betting odds on challenges and stunts on different holes throughout the course, all of which feature a charitable payout.

"The industry whiffed during quarantine, but this game is far from over."

With news of the European Tour’s launch of virtual Trackman matches, Adam Schupak of Golfweek (lovingly) takes the golf industry and television business to task for a fairly dreadful response to COVID-19 in a different way: how the sport has handled marketing itself and how its used assets to promote the game.

Granted, it’s asking a lot given the way the coronavirus overtook life and the difficulty of putting out “content” while so much suffering is taking place. On a grander scale, there is also the difficulty of coordinating, meeting and producing, but as he notes, the efforts have been uninspired.

PGA Tour pros from Rory McIlroy to Billy Horschel to Charley Hoffman have promoted Peloton (not even a Tour sponsor!) more than the sport that has brought them fame and fortune. Kudos to NASCAR for pivoting and quickly launching an e-race series so we could see Ian Poulter in his favorite habitat behind the wheel. Why couldn’t the professional golf circuits jump on something similar? Why couldn’t Jordan Spieth just invite a few friends over to the house for a simulator match and ask his wife to film it on his phone? We’d watch.

Finally, the European Tour has hopped on board with the BMW Indoor Invitational, a series of five 18-hole virtual golf tournaments contested using TrackMan. What took so long?

Getting PGA Tour releases?

Seriously, after pointing out that no one needed to see the Big Break XI once, much less again, Schupak points out why it was important for golf to better use the downtime.

This is a time for golf to puff out its chest and remind sports fans why golf is the greatest game of all. Where are the PSA’s promoting the beneficial reasons to play golf?

“We will be launching a campaign in due course with a number of PSAs in a variety of ways to talk about the benefits of golf, and you will begin to see those come out soon,” said Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America.

That’s a start because the golf industry tends to rest on its laurels – being on TV every weekend and having its own channel tends to do that – and doesn’t need to worry about exposure. Now would be a good time for the industry as a whole to actively seek and market to new golfers and support the people in the industry slogging it out and turning on the lights and cutting the grass at 15,000 courses nationwide.

In Lieu Of Crowd Noise, Might Players Let Us In On Their "Sound"?

Bill Shaikin of the LA Times is using baseball’s downtime to consider improvements to the sport and this from Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss seemed tailored for golf, too.

“If there’s no crowd noise, you’ll be able to hear all the trash-talking. You might as well embrace it. Start mic’ing up players, or use directional microphones, so you can hear everything that’s being said. That’s something the audience hasn’t had before. Having been on the field at games, hearing it is really exciting. That’s the thing I think would be the best.

“I would be trying to replace the excitement of the fans screaming and the pulsating cheering with the inside scoop of what it’s really like to be in the game and hear everything that’s being said, and even the stuff on the mound.”

Maybe not everything, at least not in real time. A brief delay would allow producers to select the most compelling dialogue, mute objectionable language, and protect the integrity of the game, particularly

While there are physical complications with attaching mics to players that all golfers can all relate to, increased eavesdropping on player-caddie chats when live golf restarts would be hugely beneficial.

Now, players and caddies just have to be convinced that the state secrets bandied about between them are nothing more than player-caddie conversations.

Seminole To Make Its International Television Debut For May 17 COVID-19 Relief Match

Scheduled to make its world premiere at the 2021 Walker Cup, the exclusive Seminole Golf Club will now make its debut for television cameras in a grand way by hosting a COVID-19 relief match.

Though the real standout here is UnitedHealth Group in pledging $3 million to give to the worthy causes noted below.

The format is a peculiar choice but that’s beside the point given the ultimate goal of raising funds and providing some much-needed competition on TV. For Immediate Release:

McIlroy, Johnson, Fowler, Wolff headline TaylorMade Driving Relief 

marking return of televised golf to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts 

UnitedHealth Group pledges $3 million in support of the American Nurses Foundation and CDC Foundation 

PGA TOUR, NBC Sports and Sky Sports to broadcast team competition from Seminole Golf Club, May 17 

Farmers Insurance® pledges $1 million for birdies-and-eagle pool supporting Off Their Plate 

PGA TOUR Charities live donation platform powered by GoFundMe to support additional COVID-19 relief initiatives 

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., (May 04, 2020) – The PGA TOUR, NBC Sports and Sky Sports today announced the return of televised golf with TaylorMade Driving Relief, centered around a $3 million charity skins match supported by UnitedHealth Group to raise money and awareness for the American Nurses Foundation and CDC Foundation, two organizations helping to lead COVID-19 relief efforts.

On Sunday, May 17, from Seminole Golf Club, TaylorMade Driving Relief will feature two-time FedExCup champion and World No. 1 Rory McIlroy and 20-time PGA TOUR winner Dustin Johnson, teaming up against two Oklahoma State University alumni: PGA TOUR superstar Rickie Fowler and 2019 first-time TOUR winner and 2019 NCAA National Champion Matthew Wolff. The competition will follow strict CDC social distancing guidelines, local mandates and will utilize appropriate testing measures to help protect the health and safety of the golfers, production crew and others on site.

Additionally, Farmers Insurance® has pledged $1 million to back a birdies-and-eagle pool to benefit Off Their Plate, a charitable organization helping COVID-19 healthcare workers and impacted frontline shift employees.

Building upon this initial fundraising of $4 million, PGA TOUR Charities will announce a Text-To-Donate activation and online donation platform powered by GoFundMe to allow viewers to make additional contributions and raise funds for COVID-19 relief.

EVENT INFORMATION: 

• Players: All four golfers will donate their time for the 18-hole, two-man team skins competition, with McIlroy/Johnson playing for the American Nurses Foundation and Fowler/Wolff playing for the CDC Foundation.

• Location: Seminole Golf Club (Juno Beach, Fla.) A majestic Donald Ross design with a clever routing on a rectangular site, each hole at Seminole encounters a new wind direction. Seminole has long been one of America’s most-revered clubs and this marks the club’s first ever golf event broadcast. No fans or spectators will be permitted on site.

• Date/Time: Sunday, May 17; live coverage will air from 2-6 p.m. ET 

• Television Broadcast: NBC, GOLF Channel, NBCSN, Sky Sports and other PGA TOUR global media partners

• Digital: Unauthenticated streaming of the entire event available via PGA TOUR LIVE (NBC Sports Gold and Amazon Prime Video), GOLFPASS, GolfChannel.com and GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR. Pre-match coverage as well as the first two holes of the event also will stream on Twitter. 

• Safety measures: PGA TOUR will follow all guidelines, executive orders and mandates issued by the state of Florida, Palm Beach County and the city of Juno Beach.

“We are excited about the safe and responsible return of live golf and the opportunity to raise significant funds for those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic through the TaylorMade Driving Relief event,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “With four of the PGA TOUR’s top stars in Rory, Rickie, Dustin and Matthew of Team TaylorMade participating and UnitedHealth Group serving as the foundation of charitable giving, and Farmers Insurance providing an additional bonus pool, golf fans around the world can look forward to a unique, interactive and entertaining event that will help those in need.”

BROADCAST: PGA TOUR Entertainment will produce live coverage, which will feature commentary from NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico from his home in Michigan, as well as analysts Paul Azinger and Gary Koch and play-by-play with Rich Lerner from an off-site production facility. On site at Seminole Golf Club will be on-course reporters Jerry Foltz and Steve Sands.

“NBC Sports is proud to raise awareness for these charities that are directly making an impact on COVID-19 relief,” said Pete Bevacqua, President, NBC Sports Group. “We’re grateful to the four exceptional PGA TOUR players for donating their time, as well as all the sponsors for helping elevate this unique fundraising event, which will feature the first worldwide broadcast of a golf competition from Seminole Golf Club.”

“Seminole Golf Club is honored to host this charitable event and welcomes all golf fans and sports enthusiasts to tune in to the broadcast to see these world-class players take on our course,” said Jimmy Dunne, President of Seminole Golf Club.  “This match is a pure public service, with all money raised providing COVID-19 relief to those most in need in Florida and around the country, and Seminole is thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to such a worthy cause at this difficult time.” 

FUNDRAISING AND IMPACT: Thanks to a pledge from UnitedHealth Group, the primary charitable component will see the teams compete in a $3 million charity skins match as each team will compete for one of two charities, the American Nurses Foundation and CDC Foundation.

“The 325,000 people of UnitedHealth Group continue to work tirelessly every day to support the health and safety of the people we are privileged to serve and to contribute to the resolution of this pandemic,” said David S. Wichmann, UnitedHealth Group Chief Executive Officer. “This additional financial support for the American Nurses Foundation and the CDC Foundation advances our commitment to take care of those who care for us by helping to meet the clinical, emotional and mental health needs of our frontline heroes, doctors, nurses and all health care workers. We’re pleased to be a part of this event designed to bring attention to and encourage further financial support for those on the leading edge of fighting this pandemic.”

Additionally, Farmers Insurance also kicked off fundraising efforts with a $1 million pledge, to back a birdies-and-eagles pool to benefit Off Their Plate, whose work creates a conduit for local communities to provide nutritious meals to the hospital teams we depend on and economic relief to local restaurant workers who have been most affected by COVID.

“For more than 90 years, serving our customers and helping communities impacted by disasters around the country has been in our DNA, and that remains true now more than ever. On behalf of everyone at Farmers, we’re proud of first responders and frontline workers for what they continue to do every single day during this unprecedented situation,” said Farmers Insurance CEO Jeff Dailey. “It’s a privilege to support this event, alongside our brand ambassador Rickie Fowler, and provide much needed funds to Off Their Plate, so they can continue to help those most impacted in this uncertain time.”

COMPETITORS: TaylorMade brings four of the world’s best and most exciting players to the event, and all are donating their time to be a part of the COVID-19 relief effort.

“While all of us navigate through the impact of this pandemic, we wanted to do our part for first responders and nominated COVID-19 charities. After speaking with our Team TaylorMade athletes, we are thrilled to make this TaylorMade Driving Relief event happen with our partners at the PGA TOUR and NBC Sports,” said David Abeles,CEO, TaylorMade. “The return of live golf and the opportunity to raise money for those affected is simply fantastic.”

Rory McIlroy, TaylorMade and UnitedHealth Group Health Ambassador:

• The reigning FedExCup champion and 2019 PGA TOUR Player of the Year is currently ranked No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking. McIlroy has 18 PGA TOUR victories and an additional nine wins worldwide including four major championships, the 2019 PLAYERS Championship, three World Golf Championships and the 2019 and 2016 FedExCup titles. 

• “It’s been difficult to witness what so many are enduring over the last several weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m excited and thankful to TaylorMade and UnitedHealth Group for making this event possible and providing us with the opportunity to show our support of those on the frontlines. I hope that we can provide some respite and entertainment for those tuning in across the globe. Dustin and I will have a lot of fun together and our games will fit well as we push to raise funds and awareness on May 17.”

 Dustin Johnson, TaylorMade Ambassador: 

• Johnson, a 20-time PGA TOUR winner, is currently No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Johnson’s 20 victories include the 2016 U.S. Open, six World Golf Championships events and four FedExCup Playoffs events.

• “I’m really excited to team up with Rory and to get back out on the golf course. Seminole is a great venue and it will be cool to show it to the world through this event. I’m sure Rickie and Matthew will be ready for us, but hopefully Rory and I can take them and help generate a lot of money and support for charities and those affected most by COVID-19.”

Rickie Fowler, TaylorMade Ball and Farmers Insurance Ambassador:

• Fowler owns nine victories worldwide, including his memorable win at THE PLAYERS Championship in 2015 when he played the finishing stretch of holes 15-18 in a 5-under total of 11 strokes. 

• “When I heard about this event, I couldn’t get involved fast enough. It’s special to be able to have an impact and raise charitable contributions through our sport and to do it with Matthew as a partner. I know how much I have missed sports and golf, especially, so to be one of the first events returning to television is very exciting and I’m proud to have Farmers, one of my sponsors, be a partner of this event as well. Playing aggressive has never been a problem for Matthew and me so we should have no issue testing the birdies-and-eagles bonus pool that has been backed by Farmers Insurance $1 million pledge.”

 Matthew Wolff, TaylorMade Ambassador:

• Wolff turned professional last June and by July, he earned his first career PGA TOUR victory at the inaugural 3M Open. Playing on sponsor exemptions, he needed just four starts to capture that first title and earned his PGA TOUR card at age 20. Wolff became the third player to win the individual title at the NCAA Championships and a PGA TOUR event in the same year, joining Ben Crenshaw and Tiger Woods.

• “I’m fired up to play alongside Rickie and raise money to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts. Rory and DJ have welcomed me to team TaylorMade with open arms and become great friends so I can’t wait for a fun competition against us Cowboys. Rickie and I are ready to bring our best and more importantly help the frontline heroes getting us through this extremely difficult time. Special thanks to the PGA Tour, NBC, Taylormade and all our partners for the opportunity. See you at Seminole!”

Podcast: The Shack Show Episode 6 With Guest Nick Faldo

We covered a nice gamut in this chat, including the times, the world of travel, the recent Masters replay, radical game transformations, the driver head, Pringle sweaters, par-3 courses and dogs in a time of pandemics. Among other topics.

As always thanks to all who made this possible, starting with Sir Nick, show producer Tim Parotchka, everyone on the iHeart Golf team.

The iHeart show page. The Apple podcast page for episode six. And to subscribe or review the show.

Show notes:

A preview of Faldo’s new CBS Sports Network’s shows debuting Monday at 7:30 pm ET.

If you’re looking for lessons and swing tips, @NickFaldo006’s new show on @CBSSportsNet is just for you. FALDO FORMULA – MIND. BODY. SWING debuts on Monday at 8 PM ET pic.twitter.com/c9M4i2ELOG

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) April 23, 2020

If you’re looking for lessons and swing tips, @NickFaldo006’s new show on @CBSSportsNet is just for you. FALDO FORMULA – MIND. BODY. SWING debuts on Monday at 8 PM ET pic.twitter.com/c9M4i2ELOG

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) April 23, 2020

Sir Nick and Saxon on Medterra:

Take1 Morning SNAX. @medterracbd tell us which one you like best? @FWeims @SnickLindz pic.twitter.com/XVCOViTvxN

— Sir Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) April 11, 2020

Podcasts this week considering Faldo’s career and 1990 Masters win, starting with The Shotgun Start’s two deep effort featuring guest Sean Martin. (Really great discussions for those who’ve forgotte how incredible Faldo’s post-game remake run turned out to be.)

A Pod Unlike Any Other’s look back at the 1989 Masters.

Notah Begay Worrying About Way More Than A Postponed Golf Season

Tod Leonard on the upsetting revelation from Notah Begay on a Golf Channel conference call Thursday to discuss what would have been in Augusta this week. A Navajo/Pueblo Indian, Begay reported that COVID-19 is wreaking havoc in the Native American community as well, even in New Mexico, a state rarely mentioned as under attack from the virus.

From Leonard’s GolfDigest.com report:

Begay said 75 percent of his relatives live on the reservation. “I’m going to lose some family members; I’m quite certain of it,” he said.

“To these rural areas of this nation … they have zero internet access; they don’t have mobile phone reception; a lot of times they don’t know what’s going on,” Begay said.

"Jim Nantz is just like you—a disappointed golf fan missing this week's Masters"

GolfDigest.com’s Guy Yocom catches up with Jim Nantz during what would have been his 35th broadcasting duties for CBS.

Nantz shares observations on quarantining in Pebble Beach and this tease for the weekend CBS shows:

This weekend there will be two encore presentations—the 2004 Masters on Saturday—with Sunday bringing a rebroadcast of last year’s “Return to Glory.” Nantz spent the early part of this week taping interviews via his computer at home with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods for the weekend shows. “We want the presentations to be as stimulating as possible and having Phil and Tiger talk about their wins as they watch the old broadcasts is pure gold for the viewers.”

"Are sports broadcasting kingpins facing their Napster moment?"

Richard Gillis poses the above question in the Irish Times. It’s a worthwhile read if you’re interested in the future of TV sports and are comfortable pondering post COVID-19 matters. (Thanks to reader Rob for this.)

He writes:

Sport has its own version of the CD album: the traditional multi-sport subscription package as sold by Sky, ESPN and Setanta among others. Pared down to its bare bones, these subscriptions bear a passing resemblance to the CD album: Come for the Premier League, stay for carp fishing, canoeing and the European Speedway Championship from Gdansk.

That model started in the United States but has been challenged by cord cutting and audiences shifting to streaming services. But in a matter of weeks, has the pandemic potentially exposed an excess that endanger the model of sports?

Most of us are already juggling multiple accounts, from the established names such as Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime and The Irish Times through to more niche entertainment sites, gym memberships, mindfulness apps and further still into FMCG categories such as pet food and beauty products.

Sport has got the memo and, in the pre-Covid-19 era, a new business model for governing bodies and event owners was emerging that sees them streaming sport direct to fans via so-called Over The Top (OTT) channels.

Women's Clothier Katherine Way Making Masks, Gowns For Jacksonville Hospitals

Another day, and another one of golf’s small, All-American made companies doing its part to help those on the front lines.

This time it’s Katherine Way, the maker of women’s wear you’ve seen emerge to great acclaim in recent years and a staple at major championship shops, is doing her part for the greater Jacksonville area.

News4Jax’s Lauren Verno explains how Way’s team is using fabrics and a mask kit that allows volunteers to produce masks and soon, isolation gowns for local hospitals.

"We have about 30 women that are making masks for us right now," explained Way.

The people who put together the masks together are not employees. They are volunteers who also want to give back to their community.

Starting this week, Way and her volunteers will start making isolation gowns for Baptist Health hospitals.

For more information on the effort or how to obtain one of Way’s kits from the Jacksonville headquarters, this page explains and updates what is happening.

The company is also accepting donations to purchase more material.

Roundup: 2020 Masters Week Schedules

With no Masters to be played, the broadcast partners of Augusta National Golf Club will still supply us with several past events to view.

From CBS:

Saturday, April 11 

• THE MASTERS: 1975 (1:30-2:30 PM, ET) - The 1975 Masters Tournament unfolded with the greatest players of their generation – Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Tom Weiskopf – at the peak of their games and battling over four glorious days, creating drama and excitement that would help define this memorable tournament.

• FINAL ROUND – 2004 MASTERS TOURNAMENT (2:30-6:00 PM, ET) - “Is it his time? Yes! At long last!” proclaimed Jim Nantz as Mickelson earned his long-awaited Masters victory, and his first major, with an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole. The 18-footer broke a deadlock with Ernie Els to give Mickelson the one-stroke victory.  

Sunday, April 12

• FINAL ROUND – 2019 MASTERS TOURNAMENT (12:30-6:00 PM, ET) - “The Return to Glory!” In one of the most memorable Masters ever, Woods capped off his incredible comeback with his fifth Masters victory – his first in 14 years – over a crowded leaderboard featuring many of the game’s top players. Trailing by two strokes on Sunday heading to the famous 12th hole, Woods safely hit his tee shot on to the green while the players ahead of him faltered and put their shots into Rae’s Creek. Woods took the lead down the stretch and never looked back on his way to his 15th career major championship.

 From ESPN where the 1986 final round airs Wednesday:

ESPN will salute the Masters Tournament with encore presentations of the final rounds of two of Tiger Woods’ five wins, Jack Nicklaus’ stunning victory in 1986 and other classic editions of the iconic event at Augusta National Golf Club over three days beginning Wednesday, April 8.

Viewers will be able to watch Woods’ wins in the 1997 and 2005 Masters, with the final round of the 1997 event, his first Masters win, airing in prime time at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 9. The final round of his win in the 2005 Masters will air at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 10. In that event, Woods improbably chipped into the hole on the 16th at Augusta National, perhaps the most memorable shot of his storied career.

In 1986, Nicklaus shocked the golf world with his come-from-behind win, scoring his record-setting sixth Masters title as well as his 18th and final major championship. The final round airs Wednesday, April 8, at 3 p.m. On that same day, ESPN will open the salute at 1 p.m. with highlights from the 2018 Masters Par 3 Contest, an event highlighted by Nicklaus’ grandson (and caddie) G.T. Nicklaus scoring a hole-in-one as his proud grandfather watched. The Par 3 Contest re-airs at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

Also featured will be the final round from 2012, when Bubba Watson won the first of his two Masters green jackets, airing on Thursday at 2 p.m. Watson beat Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff with an incredible shot off the pine straw on the 10th to set up his winning putt.

The final round of the 2013 Masters, won by Adam Scott over Angel Cabrera in a playoff, airs Friday at 12:15 p.m. It remains the popular Australian’s only Masters win.

The airdates for the Masters salute coincide with the dates ESPN would have been televising the Masters Par 3 Contest and the first two rounds of this year’s event before it was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Also, beginning next week ESPN+, the leading direct-to-consumer sports streaming service, will present an on-demand collection of official Masters Films, including highlights of nearly every Masters event since 1960.

From Golf Channel/NBC:

2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur (NBC)

Airing Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC will be the encore broadcast of last year’s inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur. A monumental day in golf and the overall sports landscape, Jennifer Kupcho captured the first edition of the event while battling Maria Fassi in the final pairing at the famed Augusta National Golf Club on the Saturday prior to the 2019 Masters. NBC’s telecast also will live stream viaGOLF Channel Digital. GOLF Channel also will air the final day Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.

Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals (2018, 2019)

GOLF Channel will televise both the 2018 and 2019 editions of the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals from Augusta National Golf Club. The 2018 competition will air at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 4, while the 2019 National Finals will air Sunday at 8 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET.

During the 8 a.m. ET re-air of the 2019 National Finals, GOLF Channel will celebrate the 2020 national finalists with several dedicated features that will post on the network’s social media handles (@GolfChannel on Twitter and Facebook). The 2020 Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals is rescheduled for Sunday, April 4, 2021. All national finals participants scheduled to compete in the 2020 event will compete in 2021.

And of course the Masters YouTube channel has all of the final round broadcasts.

"I thought it would be amusing to commentate on my dogs eating dinner--next thing I know, it's gone viral"

Today in much needed virus distraction news, The Telegraph’s James Corrigan catches up with the BBC’s Andrew Cotter about the sports broadcaster’s unintentionally viral dog-dining commentary. (8.2 million views as of this post.)

Golf fans should recognize his voice and his work in the podcast sphere (including a new just recently dropping co-hosted by Eddie Pepperell). And if you haven’t seen it…

I was bored. pic.twitter.com/bVoC0hyNzC

— Andrew Cotter (@MrAndrewCotter) March 27, 2020

Bevacqua: Talks Ongoing With PGA Tour To Rebrand Golf Channel

Joe Flint of the Wall Street Journal reports on the PGA Tour’s new media rights deal and included this.

NBC Sports Group President Pete Bevacqua said as part of the new deal, the PGA Tour would take on a greater role in programming and producing at NBC’s Golf Channel. Mr. Bevacqua said talks about rebranding the Golf Channel to reflect the significance of the PGA Tour to the network are ongoing.

Wild guess here, the PGA TOUR Network?

McManus On New PGA Tour Media Deal And Removing Broadcast Clutter

Adam Schupak files a lengthy Q&A with CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus upon the network’s signing of a 9-year deal with the PGA Tour.

The chat covers a lot of ground, but McManus addresses a key question many have had regarding the deal. Specifically, whether viewers will suffer to pay for it. McManus says the opposite is the case.

Q.  With CBS having to pay significantly more in rights fees, should viewers be concerned that you’re going to have to add additional sponsorship and promotional elements to make up that difference?

SM: Definitely not. In fact, we have regular conversations with the Tour about eliminating some of the clutter, so I would say if anything you’re going to see fewer interruptions than more. We’re going to continue to try to do more CBS Eye on the Course, the double box, so you don’t miss live golf action. We and NBC, although sometimes we get criticized, we and NBC run basically the same commercial load. You will not see that expanding in this deal, and if anything we’re going to try to reduce the clutter a little bit. We’ve already reduced the amount of on‑air promotions we do for other programs, and I think we and the Tour are really cognizant of the fact that you want to show as much golf as you possibly can, and the two box is one way to do that, and less clutter is another way to do it. But no, there’s not going to be increased sponsorship or increased commercial inventory in the new deal.

Heads Up: College Golf TV Carrying Final Round Live Stream Of The Bandon Dunes Championship

Just a heads up for those who aren’t aware of College Golf TV, they’ve got final round coverage of The Bandon Dunes Championship at, Bandon Dunes!

Oregon State leads Oregon heading into Tuesday’s final round.

Coverage is from 9 am to 2 pm Pacific Time at the link.