Golf Channel To Air Primetime Special Highlighting 2017 PGA Jr. League Championship
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2017-11-29
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (PGA of America) — For the second consecutive year, PGA of America, Grayhawk Golf Club and National Car Rental have partnered with Golf Channel to air a two-hour, primetime special highlighting the 2017 PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental. The special will air December 5 (Tuesday) at 8:00 p.m. ET with a rebroadcast at 12:30 a.m. ET.
Golf Channel coverage will include player features, highlights from each round of play, and the awards ceremony following the Championship match. An encore telecast is scheduled to air on Friday, December 15, at 12:00 p.m. ET. Golf Channel’s broadcast team for the event includes Ryan Burr (play-by-play) and Tripp Isenhour (analyst), while Kay Cockerill and Billy Ray Brown serve as on-course reporters. Golf Channel social media host Alexandra Laughlin was onsite at Grayhawk Golf Club contributing to the network’s social media platforms, with several live activations, including interviews with those in the field.
“Partnering with Golf Channel to highlight the stories and talents of the players and PGA Professional Captains participating in the PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental is a tremendous opportunity,” said PGA President Paul Levy. “Just as with last year’s broadcast, our aim is to bring more national awareness to PGA Jr. League and its fun and welcoming team format, and ultimately inspire parents and kids to join the team in 2018.”
“PGA Jr. League has developed a winning formula through the PGA of America’s commitment to providing kids with a fun and engaging forum to learn the game from PGA and LPGA Professionals,” said Molly Solomon, EVP of Content & Executive Producer, and Golf Channel. “The passion for the game exemplified by these standout junior golfers is something we’re privileged to showcase to our viewers, along with the competition’s innovative format that fosters inclusion and being part of a team.”
“Grayhawk has been fortunate to host national events at every level, and this one is as cool as they come,” said Joe Shershenovich, Director of Golf for Grayhawk Golf Club. “As the host venue, and Southwest PGA Member, we were happy to welcome everyone involved to Scottsdale. Golf Channel’s coverage boosts the profile of PGA Jr. League by showing kids nationwide just how fun it is to learn and play the game through this unique program. As someone who’s been involved from the beginning, it’s easy to see why the PGA Jr. League is growing so fast. Those who tune into Golf Channel on December 5 will get an opportunity to see for themselves.”
“Since partnering with the PGA of America in 2012, National’s commitment has been to helping grow the game of golf at the grassroots level,” said Rob Connors, vice president of brand marketing at National Car Rental. “So, we’re especially proud to invest in the future of the sport by once again sponsoring this exciting championship that raises the visibility of some of the nation’s most talented young golfers.”
In 2017, a record number of 42,000 boys and girls participated on 3,400 PGA Jr. League teams — surpassing the 36,000 participants on 2,900 teams in 2016.
At the Championship, the eight competing All-Star teams were divided into two divisions and played each other in a series of round-robin, nine-hole matches, utilizing the two-person scramble format. First place teams in each division played for the national title. Georgia defeated New Jersey 6 ½ to 5 ½ for the championship.
PGA Jr. League is the flagship program for the youth pillar of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America. Visit PGAJrLeague.com to learn more.
For a recap of the final round of the 2017 PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental, click here.