Category: TV/Media

Inside the Ropes at The Memorial

Tag along with a media rookie at The Memorial.

Memorial LogoI had the opportunity to attend The Memorial Tournament last week at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, OH with our editor, Erik (who took about 2000 pictures over the week). After my experience, it’s going to be tough to go to another tournament as a regular spectator.

This wasn’t the first tournament I’ve attended. I previously attended the 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club and the 2004 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, but it being inside the ropes as a member of the media provided an entirely different feeling to the week.

Read along as I share some of my thoughts on being a media rookie at The Memorial.

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TaylorMade TP Ball Launch: On the Range Video

This video takes you onto the driving range with Dean Snell and Sergio Garcia for the introduction of the TaylorMade TP golf balls.

TaylorMadeWe’ve told you about the new TP Balls from TaylorMade. We’ve shown you the reveal video. We’ve told you what it’s like to be there and we even produced a special-edition podcast. Now it’s time for the final piece, the video from the driving range last Monday morning.

The video largely features Dean Snell talking about the development of the TP Red and the TP Black. He begins by talking about the TrackMan system TaylorMade uses to analyze launch and flight data. He talks about the problems they had to overcome in getting pros to switch to the TP balls. You’ll also see Sergio’s, uhh, “unique” ball stamp. In the end, Sergio hits two drives – one with his old ball and one with the TaylorMade TP Red.

Throughout the video you’ll catch a glimpse at some of the private jokes and the lighthearted nature of the whole event. Enjoy.

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‘I Am a Golfer’ TV Ad Debuts

I am a golfer. We’re all golfers. TaylorMade’s new ad seeks to drive that point home.

TaylorMadeTaylorMade’s new ad – introduced Sunday evening at the TP Ball Launch, is called “I am a golfer.” You’ve likely seen the TaylorMade ads in recent publications, but this 60-second video debuts today worldwide.

The ad features the voiceover of U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehman, who upon reading the script and seeing the video the first time, got chills. The part about “I still feel my dad’s hands teaching me to hold a club” was especially touching, TaylorMade CEO Mark King told reporters.

You can view the ad here.

Inside the TaylorMade Golf Ball Launch

Here’s your insider’s look at TaylorMade’s golf ball launch event.

Taylormade Ball Launch Follow ArrowsThe Sand Trap was at Reynolds Plantation this week for the launch of TaylorMade’s new TP golf balls. We’ve given you the lowdown on the new TP Red and TP Black balls, and now we’d like to give you some insight into what it’s like to attend a major golf product launch. Read on and you’ll feel like you were there (minus the great food, cool presentations and range time with Sergio Garcia, of course).

TaylorMade doesn’t do anything small, and the brand’s splashy re-entry into the golf ball business was no exception. The event was held over a long weekend at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia – conveniently located between Atlanta and Augusta. Perfect for snaring tour professionals and media members on their way from the BellSouth to the Masters.

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TaylorMade TP Golf Ball Video

TaylorMade knows how to get the heart pumping with a fast-paced video that makes you want to go out and whack some golf balls really far.

TaylorMade TP BallsIn case you haven’t heard yet, TaylorMade now makes golf balls. Sunday’s introduction of the TP Red and TP Black golf balls was done by TaylorMade-Adidas Golf CEO Mark King, PGA Tour player Sergio Garcia, and others. Towards the end of the presentation, Garcia introduced a video.

This video (6:07, 31.3 MB .wmv), to be more precise.

Go ahead and grab the video. You’ll find it’s an aggressive, energy-packed video that makes some bold claims and statements, not the least of which is Senior Director of R&D Dean Snell saying “Holy Shit, this is awesome” (though Dean would later jokingly claim he never said “holy shit” and that the audio was dubbed in).

What follows are some screenshots of the presentation for those who don’t have time to watch the six-minute video.

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Girls Get Lei’d on The Big Break V

It’s time for another season of “The Big Break”. The ladies will stir up trouble in Hawaii making this another terrific season of physical and mental prowess. Who will earn an exemption this season?

How many people agree with me that the Big Break IV was a bit of a snoozer? The old “Europeans versus the Americans” work better in the Presidents Cup or the Ryder Cup but became a bit overdone by the time The Golf Channel got through with it. Well folks, snooze no more! The ladies are back for another season of the Big Break and they’re not only good golfers but they are also hotties!

2006 Big Break V:Hawaii Calendar

They even have their own 2006 swimsuit calendar to muster up a bit more interest! Where is Danielle Amiee when you need her?

Seriously, if the new season of the Big Break is anything like the original “Ladies Only” competition, it should be a hoot to watch.

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ABC Out in 2007

ABC has balked at Tim Finchem’s asking price and has apparently left the table in negotiations for television coverage in 2007 (and beyond).

ABC LogoGolf Digest and USA Today (via the AP) are reporting that television network ABC has walked out of negotiations with the PGA Tour for carrying tournament coverage beginning in 2007. This leaves only CBS and NBC at the table with Tour Commish Tim Finchem.

The current PGA Tour contract runs through the 2006 season. In 2007, the PGA Tour will feature a revamped schedule, a playoff system, the “FedEx Cup,” and a “Fall Finish”. Apparently, the ol’ Finchy is still asking for too much money, and ABC simply decided they’d heard enough. Despite having found success with Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo in the announcing booth, both players may need to hone their game for the Champions Tour come 2007 if they’d like at least a semi-regular paycheck.

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Battle of the Bridges

The Battle of the Bridges takes place tonight in what might be Tiger Woods’ final Monday-night appearance.

Tonight, at 7pm ET on ESPN2 and at 8pm ET on ABC, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen, and John Daly will meet at the Battle of the Bridges. Tiger Woods may not be playing in Monday-night golf beyond this year’s event, making this event one you won’t want to miss.

Ratings have dropped since Sergio Garcia bested Woods in a head-to-head match in 2000, and this year’s lineup failed to get Vijay Singh and Ernie Els for the best-ball match play tournament.

For those of you who can’t get enough Tiger, for those of you who hate or love Phil Mickelson, for those of you who want to see if John Daly has gone back to the mullet, and for those of you who want to see if Retief Goosen’s facial expression ever changes, tune in tonight.

Titleist Performance Institute Begins New Season Tonight

The Titleist Performance Institute kicks off its 2005 season with 10 new episodes. When? Tonight!

Titleist Performance Institute TpiThe Titleist Performance Institute kicks off its 2005 10-episode season tonight on The Golf Channel. The first episode of the season, “Lower Back,” airs tonight (June 11) at 8:40pm EDT.

In its second season on The Golf Channel, Golf Fitness Academy Presented by Titleist offers a wide range of useful tips that directly relate to producing a more efficient swing, from conditioning exercises for all golfers which improve upper and lower strength, flexibility and endurance to identifying obstacles and prescribing solutions for specific categories of golfers, such as women, juniors, and players with bad posture.

Basically, it’s something you rarely see on The Golf Channel: informative, helpful programming that isn’t catered towards rich old guys or Tiger Woods fanatics. Perhaps the TPI will release a free DVD like they did last year… The full press release – and a guide to all of the shows and guests – can be found here at titleist.com.