The Golf Channel Coverage

[Andru]

Well. Here are my thoughts.

Nick Faldo
- Funny saved the broadcast

Dottie Pepper
- Normally Can't stand listening to her but she did really well.

Rocco Mediate
- I like Rocco Mediate. good guy knows the tour and he's not afraid to rattle some feathers. He has a great future in television.

I can't wait to hear Faldo with Jim Nance on CBS. That should be awesome!!

What are yours?

[Kace]

I watched it all four days and must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was nice seeing the front 9 everyday and by the end of it, you feel as though you saw every shot of the tourny.

I look forward to see how they do as the season continues...

[Leftygolfer30]

Any time Kelly Tilghman is on TV it's all good.

By far the hottest female sports announcer on the planet!

[jjgowland]

I thought they did a pretty good job. Kelly is really quite awesome in managing the timing of who speaks next, knows golf and has a wonderful sense of humour.
Rocco had some fun. Enjoyed his notes.
Dotty Pepper really knows golf.
Mark Rolfing knows Maui
Nick talked too much. <something isn't quite right with him and Kelly. I'd prefer to see Frank N. in that seat)

Picture wise, too often, a player had a 3 - 4 foot putt and rather than show the stroke they 'gave him the putt' and broadcast broke away.
They spent way too much time and effort on Willy-Mac's story. Every golfer on the circuit has a wild pre-tour story.

And as Vijay said, "I'm tired of hearing about the FedEx Cup". The initial intention of the FedEx Cup was a reason to extend the season beyond August. I think it should be kept to that parameter and let this early part of their season be a build up to the majors.

Overall The Golf Channel did a pretty good job.

[Andru]

Any time Kelly Tilghman is on TV it's all good.

By far the hottest female sports announcer on the planet!

hehe. Uhmm. I'l take Hazel May on NESN ( Formally Sportsnet ) any day. I disagree with her performance. I think she has potential but to launch this 'new era' in golf. They should have hired a pro to mentor Kelly into the position. You won't know how good it can get until you hear Nick with Jim Nance.

[EDSGolf]

I found the quality of the filming/telecast not good, it looks cheap, as if it was being flimed with a good personal vide camera.

[leftintherough]

Nick talked too much. <something isn't quite right with him and Kelly. I'd prefer to see Frank N. in that seat)

Overall The Golf Channel did a pretty good job.

Nick actually got on my nerves. He'd have a great comment, then his next one would be off.

[Samick]

I enjoyed the broadcast alot. Great to see a bunch who have been there and knows what its like inside the ropes.

One thing that bugged me though was that some of them (Rocco and Faldo) didnt know when to shut-up. They talked over eachother a few times and all I got was garble! When the mic is close enough to the player and his caddie to hear them talking...I want to hear that too. Not Faldo's wise cracks and mumble.

Its about time that The Golf Channel gave the PGA the time on air that it deserves.

[shortbus]

I found the quality of the filming/telecast not good, it looks cheap, as if it was being flimed with a good personal video camera.

I was watching TGC on Look TV and I noticed that too. It was "hot" or overexposed to the point that I couldn't see the ball on the green half the time, and people's white hats just blended into the sky.

I wasn't sure if it was the original broadcast or the local feed, but it was hard to stay tuned to a cheap signal.

[MickDuff]

I enjoyed Faldo's commentary for the most part, but I just don't think he'll go over well with the American viewing public. Too wry and low-key, not enough of the gee-whiz, rah-rah, "I'll-tell-you-what" style of network coverage that's become the norm. I find it a refreshing change, but will be surprised if he makes it through the entire season...

[Pingnut]

What did you all think of the putting line from Whoever Insurance?
Reminded me of the old Fox sports hockey broadcasts with the puck trailing line or the first down markers in the NFL.

I thought it was terrible the way they left it on during the putt.
Show us the line if you'd like - but don't block the view.

[Kace]

What did you all think of the putting line from Whoever Insurance?
Reminded me of the old Fox sports hockey broadcasts with the puck trailing line or the first down markers in the NFL.

I thought it was terrible the way they left it on during the putt.
Show us the line if you'd like - but don't block the view.

It's a neat technology but I think they should have the ball glow all the time. :D

Seriously though, I enjoyed it, but as you said, they should have shown the line, turned it off during the putt and then shown a replay with it back on after.

[Bellyhungry]

Because there were so many other more worthy programs going on on TV, I only manage to get bits and pieces of the broadcast.

I am with EDSGOLF, I find the camera works and production values second rate. They were tolerable when they were broadcasting second rate tour events like The Nationwide, LPGA, and Senior Tour, but for the PGA Tour, it is not acceptable, unless they want to be a second rated sports behind NFL, NBA, and NHL.

I also agree that given the magnitude of the job, Kelly Tilghman should be eased into the head announcer position.

[GQuizzle]

I thought the coverage was pretty good for first time coverage. They had interesting graphics and good commentary. True indeed some refining is necessary, but all in all it was a solid telecast.

[nearace]

loved the putting tracker, goes to show us amatures pic the break then double it imo.

[GQuizzle]

Any time Kelly Tilghman is on TV it's all good.

By far the hottest female sports announcer on the planet!

Ya mean you're not into Jennifer Mills?!

http://www.tourtalent.com/images/s_jennifermills.gif

[Louie]

Loved Nick Faldo but with Jim Nantz it would be so much better, everyone else was good as well.

[Andru]

Hazel Mae

http://www.survivinggrady.com/uploaded_images/damon4-779793.jpg

[abz-pete]

Hopefully, things will get better. I agree with Samick - too much talk, especially from Faldo. If there's any chance of hearing the inter-action between player and caddie, the commentators should just keep quiet...

[barry stevens]

Coverage was fine, I just curious what the time difference is to Hawaii as I was watching it pretty late and it said LIVE?

[golfer727272]

it was live--- Toronto is 6 hours ahead of Maui....1030 et here is late afternoon there. I like the show. Subjectivity is what makes the world goes round...

[GQuizzle]

Hazel Mae

http://www.survivinggrady.com/uploaded_images/damon4-779793.jpg

Is this the same Hazel Mae that was on TSN back in the day?

[ethandelacroix]

If that's Hazel Mae, then wow that's some serious plastic surgery!!!! LOL

Miles

[Andru]

Is this the same Hazel Mae that was on TSN back in the day?
yes it is!

[rotator]

I have always been an admirer of Faldo, and expected a better performance from him in this capacity. It seems he's trying to make it his show. I did not like his hard putdown of Nobilo, who had the timerity to question Faldo's analysis of one of VJ's misses. I totally agreed with Nobilo, but regardless it was unnecessary for Faldo to create that awkward moment for everyone on the telecast. Kelly and Nobilo were truly stunned by the attack. It was unprofessional (as a serious purported broadcaster) and a matter of ego.

I enjoyed the byplay between Faldo and Azinger when they used to be together, and wonder if Azinger was the real contributor and catalyst. He does not say much unless it's meaningful, and when he does it is insightful and direct and sometimes wry manner. I wonder if he was not interested, after all he is the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, as well as having personal and playing commitments.

[Andru]

I have always been an admirer of Faldo, and expected a better performance from him in this capacity. It seems he's trying to make it his show. I did not like his hard putdown of Nobilo, who had the timerity to question Faldo's analysis of one of VJ's misses. I totally agreed with Nobilo, but regardless it was unnecessary for Faldo to create that awkward moment for everyone on the telecast. Kelly and Nobilo were truly stunned by the attack. It was unprofessional (as a serious purported broadcaster) and a matter of ego.

I enjoyed the byplay between Faldo and Azinger when they used to be together, and wonder if Azinger was the real contributor and catalyst. He does not say much unless it's meaningful, and when he does it is insightful and direct and sometimes wry manner. I wonder if he was not interested, after all he is the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, as well as having personal and playing commitments.
I agree on the air is not the place to air your grievences. I ge tthe feeling. Nobilo may be tweaked Faldo got the chair over him. You have to understand the golf channel dynamics behind the scenes. Just as I think there are a few a little peeved that Tilghman is running the anchor.

Azinger is Azinger. He's a homer. I'm not sure I could take his USA Rah Rah BS. During the Ryder Cup is enough for me. Given the international Flavour of the tour. It's a good idea to have a guy who can find North Korea on a Map in the chair. Faldo needs controlling .Tirico did it. and at some point TCG will figure out that they need a pro in the seat and hire one.

Look real pros know how to work with egos. Tirico works with Joe Theisman. There's a formula and it works. Wait till CBS starts broadcaasting golf this year. Listen to Nantz, and Faldo..... will flourish.

[Bellyhungry]

Faldo's behavior does not surprise me.

When he was in his playing career, he was known to be a self-centered jerk. He mellowed out towards the twilight of his career, probably because he realized that he did not have to game to be a serious contender. Now that he is starting a new career in broadcasting, he is reverting back to his self-centered I-am-better-than-thou attitude.

As for Nabilo, over the last year, he was the only one on the TGC that dared to criticize the players on air. He might not have the charisma to be the main draw on a golf broadcast, but at least he is stayign true to his feelings.

[rotator]

Faldo's behavior does not surprise me.

When he was in his playing career, he was known to be a self-centered jerk. He mellowed out towards the twilight of his career, probably because he realized that he did not have to game to be a serious contender. Now that he is starting a new career in broadcasting, he is reverting back to his self-centered I-am-better-than-thou attitude.



I've mentioned many times I have admired Faldo. He had a lot of guts and dedication to get where he became one of the best golfers in his time. Through sheer singlemindedness, he developed a consistent game and a strong mental approach to match. But unfortunately, BellyHungry, you are dead right in your description. I believe his better-than thou attitude will show through, turning the audience, as well as his fellow announce team off. It's a shame, because he could ease off and be a good one.

Andru, a good call on a good professional like Tirico, Nance, in the lead anchor spot being needed to control the action. Someone must have got the message to Miller, because he toned down a lot, without losing his independence of critique and analysis, and he also now solicits second opinions from others on the team, such as Rossie, Dottie etc.