In January 17,1995, a 24-hour American television cable network-the Golf Channel, was launched to devote itself entirely to golf events and programs around the world. It is the first of its kind and works closely with globally recognized golf associations like the Professional Golf Association, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, the United States Golf Assoc., the Royal Canadian Golf Assoc., The First Tee and others.
Joseph Gibbs, a media entrepreneur of Alabama, first devised the concept of such network in 1991. Later, to prove his assumption that a rising public interest for a golf network will be supported, he held a public survey called the Gallup Poll and found through it that his instincts were right. With the legendary golfer and golf course designer Arnold Palmer, they managed to secure an $80 M to put up the said network that became known as the Golf Channel. The first ever-live tournament televised by the network in January 1995 was the Dubai Dessert Classic.
The Golf Channel is available primarily in the United States, Asia and Canada through wireless transmissions and cable and satellite transmissions. There also is a European version of the network. However, most programs were the same as those being televised in the United States. The American studio is situated in Orlando, Florida.
The featured programs in the Golf channel appear in all sorts but live telecast of golf games is the norm. The network features coverage of PGA Tournament, LPGA Tour, PGA European Tour, Champions Tour, Canadian Australasian Tours, USGA and PGA America tournaments. Also, there is a nightly news show titled the Golf Central and one named the Golf Central, which is devoted entirely to college golf.
In 2004, the NetJets linked a unique partnership to the Golf Channel. In connection to this, the company gained exclusive rights for the airing of costumed programs which integrated and featured NetJets advertisements. Throughout the term of the partnership, NetJets was the Golf Channel’s exclusive aviation company and no other company of this type was able to advertise or be featured in any of the network’s programs.
In accordance with this partnership, the network televised an hour-long show titled “Golf Talk Taking Flight Presented by NetJets wherein golf stars Bob Murphy, Davis Love III, Dana Quigley and Dave Stockton were featured. Another is “NetJets Traveling on Tour”, a four-minute Golf Channel segments which followed golfers as they travel in cities for tours that showcased them in or beside NetJets Aircrafts. Third on the list is Golf Channel’s hit golf reality show – the Big Break II, that was aired in the fall of 2004 which aimed to assist aspiring golf professionals gain exemptions in the PGA and LPGA tournaments and events.
In 2005, the Golf Channel sponsored a golf tournament named the “Big Stakes Golf”, a special match play won by the mini-tour professionals David Ping and Garth Mulroy. The entry fee to play in this special event is $100,000 for a grand prize of $3,000,000, which will be split-up between the two players, the largest in golf history.
For further information on the Golf Channel check on its website. Their site includes program listings, schedules and airtimes, Golf Channel Tournaments, PGA Tournaments, updates on the reality show-The Big Break, Golf Channel contests, TGC Pro Shop, TGC Shows, TGC talents and host, listings of golf schools, golf vacation packages, event tickets and tee times.