Tag: Morning Drive

End of the road: Golf Channel says goodbye to ‘Morning Drive’

On Sunday, Golf Channel’s long-running “Morning Drive” TV show aired for the last time.

On Jan. 17, 1995, the first 24-hour single-sport station launched in a mere 10,000 households, capitalizing on the cable-TV boom.

Golf Channel changed the way golf fans consume the game and paved the way for the eventual creation of the NFL Network as well as MLB, NBA and NHL channels. It has grown from just 15 hours of live programming in the network’s first week—the 1995 Dubai Desert Classic was the first televised event—to more than 100 live hours from three U.S. time zones and five countries this week.

But 2020 has been a year of transition for the network and on Sunday, Golf Channel’s long-running “Morning Drive” TV show came to the end of the road.

The Golf Channel, owned by NBCUniversal, had been based in Orlando since its launch in 1995 but is pulling up stakes.

“As we announced in February, Golf Channel will be moving its media operations primarily to NBC Sports’ headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, by year-end, while GOLFNOW and GOLFPASS will continue to operate from Orlando,” a Golf Channel spokesman said in a statement to Golfweek in June.

Some are making the move north, but many are not, including some associated with “Morning Drive,” like Gary Williams—who started as a co-host in 2011—Robert Damron and Lauren Thompson.

This shot captures a familiar Morning Drive setting.

The long-running show eventually featured viewers-turned-crew-members.

Golf Channel, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in January, is carried in more than 70 countries and nine languages.

Golfweek‘s Eamon Lynch has been a contributor to the show, and on Saturday, he shared some shots from the studio.

Paige Mackenzie was a co-host who said via social media she’ll be heading west to Arizona. She will continue to be a part of the Golf Channel studio programs and tournaments. She was an analyst during NBC’s U.S. Women’s Open coverage and is expected to see her role on LPGA broadcasts grow in the future.

Williams’ future plans are unknown—other than that he will not be with the channel any longer—yet he wished those making the move to Connecticut all the best.

Damron said he’ll still be on PGA Tour Live broadcasts, but will also be enjoying life.

Damon Hack will be making the move, and showed his appreciation for Williams (and all his co-workers) while working an LPGA event this weekend.

The network recently announced the hiring of Shane Bacon, who will serve as a co-host for a new, live daily show, “Golf Today.” He’ll be joined by Hack as well as Anna Whiteley and Jimmy Roberts.

Golf Channel says “Golf Today” harkens back to network’s first year in 1995, when a show with the same name was the network’s original live tournament pre-game show.

The new “Golf Today” is set to debut on Monday, Jan. 4.

Golfweek’s Adam Schupak and Tim Schmitt contributed to this article.

Golf Channel’s ‘Morning Drive’ is down to its final episode. Who’s going where?

Some are making the move, but many are not, like Gary Williams — who started as a co-host in 2011 — Robert Damron and Lauren Thompson.  

Sunday marks the end of an era at Golf Channel as the long-running “Morning Drive” program will air for the final time.

The network announced earlier this year that changes were coming, including a complete relocation from its Orlando offices into the NBC Sports studios near New York City.

Golf Channel, which celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this year, airs in more than 70 countries and nine languages.

Some are making the move, but many are not, including some associated with “Morning Drive,” like Gary Williams — who started as a co-host in 2011 — Robert Damron and Lauren Thompson.

The network recently announced the hiring of Shane Bacon, who will serve as a co-host for a new, live daily show, “Golf Today.” Fellow hosts are Damon Hack, Anna Whiteley and Jimmy Roberts. That show debuts on Monday, Jan. 4.

Sunday’s broadcast should be an emotional one. It starts at 10 a.m. ET and should have plenty of highlights spanning the show’s tenure.

Our own Eamon Lynch has been a contributor on the show, and he shared some shots from the studio.

Paige Mackenzie was a co-host and she said via social media she’ll be heading west to Arizona, but will still be a part of the Golf Channel studio programs and tournaments. She was an analyst during NBC’s U.S. Women’s Open coverage and is expected to see her role on LPGA broadcasts grow in the future.

Williams wished those making the move to Connecticut all the best:

Damron said he’ll still be on PGA Tour Live broadcasts, but will also be enjoying life.

And Damon Hack showed his appreciation for Williams (and all his co-workers) while working the LPGA event in Naples.

And other staffers have looked back at a special decade as well.

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Tiger Woods discusses Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major titles

Tiger Woods still believes Jack Nicklaus’ major record is in reach, as long as he does everything right just like at Augusta National.

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With planning to host the Hero World Challenge and getting ready for his role as a playing captain at the Presidents Cup, Tiger Woods says he hasn’t had any time to think about 2020.

Woods is in the Bahamas this week to host the Hero, which benefits his foundation. So win number 83 hasn’t exactly been top of mind, he said.

“I have been so busy trying to figure this stuff out. My mind hasn’t crept to 2020,” he said Monday morning during an interview with Lisa Cornwell on Golf Channel.

More: When and where will Tiger Woods play next?

The Hero marks Woods’ return to competition – albeit a limited field of 18 of the world’s top players – since he won the Zozo Championship in Japan. That win was No. 82, tying Sam Snead for the most in PGA Tour history, and it came just a few weeks after Woods had a surgical procedure on his left knee.

So is 18 majors still attainable?

“I think it is. Obviously I have to do everything right like I did at Augusta. I have to have all the pieces come together,” said Woods, who turns 44 on Dec. 30. “Who knows? I was 14-1 when either leading outright or tied for the lead going into Sunday. I finally broke that slide and came from behind.

“Who knows? I’ve done it different ways. I’ve won tournaments; I’ve done that different ways. And I have finally won a major in different ways. Who knows what the future holds.”

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