Monday, October 6, 2014

Golf Channel Announces Fall Instruction Programming Lineup

Special Episode of The Golf Fix to Feature All Three Major Champions from 2014 in McIlroy, Kaymer and Watson from PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – Golf Channel announces its plans for new original instruction programming this fall, including the launch of Lesson Tee Live, a new 60-minute live instruction series premiering on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. ET. Additionally, the network will incorporate “Long Drive Month” into several on-air programs in anticipation of the RE/MAX World Long Drive Finals, which will get underway on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 10 p.m. ET, and culminate on Nov. 4 during the two-hour live finale on Golf Channel as eight finalists compete at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort for the $250,000 first place prize. Golf Channel’s new instruction programming this fall includes:

The Golf Fix (Monday’s at 7 p.m. ET)
Michael Breed hosts all three major champions from 2014 for a special episode of The Golf Fix on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. ET from the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda. 2014 Open Championship and PGA Championship winner Rory McIlroy, U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer and Masters champion Bubba Watson, along with Jim Furyk will offer instruction on the most notable aspects of their respective game throughout the episode at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda. Breed will focus on keys to driving success with McIlroy (average of 311 yards off the tee in 2014), putting with Kaymer, shot shaping and visualization with Watson, and short game with Furyk (led the PGA TOUR in scrambling in 2014). The episode will offer a unique opportunity for viewers to receive hands on instruction tips from some of the game’s biggest stars. Breed also will recognize executives from the PGA of America, as well as the Premier of Bermuda.

Lesson Tee Live (Wednesday’s at 8 p.m. ET)
The new, live instruction show premiering on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. ET will give avid golfers the opportunity to directly influence the sequence of each episode by utilizing social media and technology platforms to connect with the leading teaching professionals in the game. A rotation of PGA professionals and golf instructors will appear on the show providing viewers with swing tips and feedback on every aspect of their game, with viewers being encouraged to send their questions through various social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, FaceTime and Skype, which will act as the driving force behind the rundown of each episode. Fans will be encouraged to participate with the @GCA Twitter handle and use the hashtag #LessonTeeLive.

PGA professionals and instructors slated to appear on the initial episodes this fall include:
Oct. 8 – Jim McLean (PGA Professional, Jim McLean Golf Schools)          
Oct. 15 – David Leadbetter (PGA Professional, The Leadbetter Golf Academy)
Oct. 22 – Jerome Andrews (Spring Creek Golf Club, Charlottesville, Va.)
Oct. 22 – Brian Mogg (Brian Mogg Golf Academy)
Nov. 5 – Travis Fulton (PGA TOUR Golf Academy at World Golf Village, St. Augustine, Fla.)
Nov. 12 – Bill Harmon (Toscana Country Club, Indian Wells, Calif.) and Craig Harmon (PGA Professional, Seagate Country Club, Delray Beach, Fla.)
Nov. 19 – Bob Baldassari (PGA Professional; Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)

PGA of Australia teaching professional Annabel Rolley will co-host the series and facilitate social media conversation with viewers. Rolley has previously worked as an instructor at Royal Sydney Golf Club in Australia, Trump National Golf Club in New York, Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia, site of the 2011 Presidents Cup, and most recently at The Ridgewood Country Club in New Jersey. Rolley also spent time as a host of “The Golf Show” where she offered tips and instruction, along with golf-specific strength and conditioning exercises geared toward women in particular. PGA Professional Brian Crowell (GlenArbor Golf Club, Bedford, N.Y.) will join Rolley for the initial launch of the show this fall. Crowell previously served as a co-host for “Golf Digest’s Equipment Special,” and also has participated in “Masters In-Depth,” which aired on DirecTV, Masters.com and CBSSports.com.

Golf Channel Academy (Tuesday’s at 7 p.m. ET)
Fifteen-time PGA TOUR winner and major champion Corey Pavin will be featured over the course of five episodes on Golf Channel Academy this fall, joining Gary Williams from Braemar Country Club in California, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. ET. Each episode will highlight a different aspect of the golf swing.
Oct. 14 – Full swing
Oct. 21 – Driver
Nov. 4 – Bunker Play
Nov. 11 – Short Game
Nov. 18 - Putting

School of Golf (Wednesday’s at 7 p.m. ET)
Sara Brown will join Martin Hall on School of Golf, beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. ET. Brown, a former Big Break contestant and current Symetra Tour player will be a part of the show for the remainder of 2014.
Oct. 8 – Long Drive Special
Oct. 15 – From Tee to Green
Oct. 22 – Hitting the Range
Oct. 29 – Scary Shots
Nov. 5 – Stick it Close
Nov. 12 – Great Escapes
Nov. 19 – Indoor Practice
Nov. 26 – Right or Rubbish
Dec. 3 – Year End Special

Playing Lessons (Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. ET)
In addition to her role on School of Golf, Brown will join the always colorful Swede, Fredrik Jacobson for the final episode of Playing Lessons in 2014 on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. ET. A former winner on the PGA TOUR and European Tour, Jacobson will share the keys that have helped him become one of the best putters in the game. He also will demonstrate how to get it up and down more consistently, and offer advice on how to make solid contact out of fairway bunkers. Jacobson also discusses his affinity for table tennis, and opens up about life away from the golf course. The episode was shot at Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound, Fla.

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