PHILADELPHIA, Pa.– The most invigorating storyline in the golf industry is: What’s old is becoming new … and what’s new is becoming newer.
That mantra comes to golfers thanks to the wave of golf course renovation that has been sweeping the nation. Golf course operators everywhere are learning that modern updates might cost a few dollars in the short run, but provide money-saving and revenue-generating opportunities over the long haul.
From the classic courses that were built in the 1920s and ‘30s, to the more modern designs that flooded the country in the ‘80s and ‘90s, renovation has become the buzzword of the industry. For all of those reasons, a very special look inside the workings of golf course renovations will be the topic of the May episode of the award-winning Traveling Golfer television show.
Not only will viewers see the work that has been done on a number of great golf courses across the country, but they will see it through the eyes of two of the most renowned golf course architects in the world – Tom Fazio and Ron Garl.
“Renovation has become a very important part of the golf world,” said Fazio, who claims design rights to twice as many golf courses on the Golf Digest Top 200 list than any other golf course architect. “It is important, not only for the people who play and enjoy the game, but for the people who work in golf … who write about golf … who are connected in any way with this great game.”
“Renovation is one of the things that keeps a club up front,” added Garl, who has his name on more than 250 golf courses worldwide. “It brings you new members, things that are really important. The smart clubs are the ones doing renovations in a timely fashion.”
In this latest episode of the Traveling Golfer, viewers will get an inside look at renovations that have been done at such clubs as the Donald Ross classic at Aronimink in SE Pennsylvania, the Dick Wilson Champions course at Palm Aire CC in Sarasota, a quick peek at Garl’s re-design on the Longboat Key Club also near Sarasota, the Geoge Fazio gem at Jupiter Hills in Jupiter, Florida that was re-designed by Tom Fazio, and Garl’s major renovation on his original design at Herons Glen Golf & CC in North Fort Myers, Florida.
“This show is a bit of a departure from our normal format but it might be the most important show we have done to date,” explained Traveling Golfer host Tony Leodora. “Underscoring the importance of renovations in the golf world can only lead to major benefits down the line. Plus, the opportunity to visit with world-renowned golf authorities such as Fazio and Garl is always an enjoyable and educational experience.
“I have always found golf course architects to be some of the most fascinating people in the golf industry … even more fascinating than many of the players. These are extremely intelligent people with an artistic vision of golf. They provide us with the most beautiful playgrounds in the world.”
The May episode of the Traveling Golfer airs as a scheduled weekly feature show on NBC Sports and NBC Sports + throughout four markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. NBC Sports airings are 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, 10 p.m. on Tuesdays and 11 a.m. on Thursdays. NBC Sports + airs the show at 8 p.m. Mondays and Fridays. In addition, the show airs nationally, three times every day, on the Fun Roads Network (funroads.tv/schedule) – in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Wichita, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Washington State, North Dakota, Raleigh, Orlando, San Jose, Albany and Boise markets. Additionally, national and international expansion has taken place via connected TV on Roku, Amazon Fire, SelectTV and GlewedTV – including the new WingDing Network, available on demand and in 50 million households worldwide on Roku.
The Traveling Golfer also airs a number of times throughout the month on “Rivertalk” on HTC-4 in Myrtle Beach.
The show also airs on the Traveling Golfer network of websites … including The Golf Director Network and The Myrtle Beach Golf Channel (see full list of sites on travelinggolfervideo.com).
As part of every Traveling Golfer show there is the additional feature, “Tech Talk”, hosted by Tour Edge Golf experts, such as President Dave Glod. With years of experience as a club maker, Glod presents an inside look at the research and development of high-quality golf equipment.
Responding to golfers’ never-ending demands to learn more about interesting golf courses and golf resorts across the country and around the world, well-traveled host Tony Leodora created the Traveling Golfer so he could take viewers on video trips to some of the most exciting golf locations. In each of the last eight years, the show has been honored by the International Network of Golf with one of its prestigious awards. In four of those years the Traveling Golfer was named the No. 1 Golf Television Show in America.
The Traveling Golfer is a series of monthly shows hosted by Leodora, who has more than 20 years of experience in televised golf. The featured destination stays on the website for one month, before being replaced by a new show. Alternate shows also air in a two-month rotation. All old shows are archived for continued viewing on the YouTube Network and on the home website, www.travelinggolfervideo.com.
For more information about the Traveling Golfer, or to find out how a property can be featured on the show, call TL Golf Services at (610) 721-8186 or e-mail Tony Leodora at tony.leodora@TL-golfservices.com.
