Golf Channel Launches Big Break Ireland Microsite

Series premieres Sept. 20, 9 p.m. ET ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 18 - In advance of the season premiere of Big Break Ireland, Golf Channel today launched the series' official microsite - www.GolfChannel.com/BigBreak.

The new site features text and video bios about the 12 contestants, photos and preview videos, including a three-minute trailer that gives viewers a sneak peek into the drama and excitement that will unfold during the 10-week series. Weekly blogs from the producers and contestants also will post on the site, and fans will have the opportunity to opt in to become a "text club" member and receive weekly mobile alerts.

Big Break Ireland's Facebook page, (www.facebook.com/GolfChannel.BigBreak) will allow fans to interact with fellow fans and Golf Channel, as well as receive weekly bonus clips and features.

Big Break Ireland, premiering Sept. 20 at 9 p.m. ET, will feature an international cast of six men and six women competing against each other in an attempt to make their lifelong dreams of playing alongside the world's top golfers a reality. Filmed at The K Club in Kildare, Ireland, the ultimate winner will be awarded two exemptions from the four exemptions up for grabs - which represent events on the LPGA Tour, European Tour and Ladies European Tour, among other prizes.

The Big Break show concept pits highly skilled golfers against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness. During Big Break Ireland, one contestant will be eliminated each week, with the last person standing crowned Big Break champion.

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Golf Channel Announces New Docu-Reality Series

Golf Channel Chronicles Homeless Man's Extraordinary Journey To Regain His Life And Golf Glory In New Docu-Reality Series Pipe Dream ORLANDO, Fla. (Dec. 7, 2010) - Two years ago the life of 53-year old professional golfer Mark Burk changed forever. The golfer who won tournaments all around the world and coached A-list celebrities found himself homeless and living in abandoned construction pipes in Palm Springs after a romantic relationship went awry.

In the new 10-part, docu-reality series Pipe Dream, Golf Channel chronicles Burk's journey to get his life back on track, regain his golf career and restore his good name. Beginning with the series worldwide premiere on Jan. 11 at 9:30 p.m. ET, Golf Channel viewers will find out if Burk is able to get back in the game or if it all proves to be just a pipe dream. Actor James Remar, best known for his roles in Sex and the City and Dexter, provides the narration for the series.

From the tender age of 13, Mark Burk knew he only wanted to do one thing - play golf. Studying under renowned instructors including Ben Doyle, Jim Flick, Peter Kostis, and Kip Puterbaugh, Burk played in various professional golf tournaments across the country and internationally, spending a year on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa. After playing competitively, he became a golf instructor and Hollywood consultant, teaching actors Halle Berry and Hugh Jackman how to swing a golf club for the film Swordfish.

But after years of living a charmed life, Burk became homeless in 2008. Due to a remarkably bad turn of events, including an alleged domestic violence dispute with then girlfriend, supermodel Beverly Johnson, he was left penniless and without a place to live. Pipe Dream documents Burk's struggle to survive on the streets, as well as his efforts to achieve his goal of getting back on the green. Throughout the 10-episode series, viewers will watch as Burk begins to pick up the pieces of his life, get a job, deal with a pending legal battle against his ex-girlfriend and attempt to make it through the Champions Tour Qualifying School.

"Pipe Dream follows the story of a man whose life has been turned upside down and now struggles daily to reclaim his name and his dream. Even through all of Mark's personal and professional struggles, it's been his passion and respect for the game of golf that has kept him alive," said Keith Allo, Golf Channel vice president of programming and original productions. "We are very excited to continue to bring unique and diverse programming to Golf Channel and feel that Pipe Dream will not only resonate with golf fans but with anyone, who at one time in their life, dared to dream against all odds."

Pipe Dream helps kick off an exciting slate of original programming debuting this January on Golf Channel along with the buzzed-about third season of The Haney Project which will follow political lightning rod Rush Limbaugh's attempts at improving his golf game with the help of Hank Haney, one of the world's best golf instructors and the former swing coach to Tiger Woods. The New Year also brings Golf Channel's highly-anticipated first morning show program, Morning Drive, and the start of the 2011 PGA TOUR season.

About Golf Channel
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. The Golf Channel cable network, co-founded by Arnold Palmer and a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is available in more than 120 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. Exclusive partnerships with the world's top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, added to a programming schedule distinguished by golf's best news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel's digital platform of businesses is led by GolfChannel.com, a leading golf destination on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, as well as services that help the recreational player with how to play, what to play and where to play golf.

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Golf Channel Offers 12 Nights Of Special Instruction

Exclusive All-New Instructional Specials Provide 12 Nights of Tips from Golf Greats, Including Palmer, Nicklaus and Player, Along With Finalists from Golf Channel's Nationwide Instructor Search 12 Nights at the Academy Airs Nov. 29 through Dec.10 at 7 p.m. ET ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 17, 2010) - In the spirit of the holiday season, Golf Channel tidings will come in the form of a first-of-their-kind instructional specials - 12 Nights at the Academy - when some of the biggest names to ever play the game will share their secrets of success. For 12 consecutive nights, golf legends, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Greg Norman and Gary Player will each host their own, all-new instructional show, sharing stories and experiences from their legendary careers and providing viewers with everything they need to know in order to improve their golf game. Several of the game's top instructors, including Hank Haney and Sean Foley, will take part, as will one of the all-time greats in LPGA Tour history, Annika Sorenstam. 12 Nights at the Academy premieres on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. ET, with a new episode airing each night through Dec. 10.

In addition to the all-star lineup, 12 Nights at the Academy also will feature episodes hosted by three up-and-coming golf instructors selected from a nationwide search conducted by Golf Channel earlier this year - all hoping to host their own instructional series on the network. The finalists' shows will air Nov. 30, Dec. 5 and Dec. 7.

"12 Nights at the Academy is an opportunity for us to treat our viewers this holiday season to something very special," said Tom Stathakes, Golf Channel senior vice president of programming, production and operations. "Imagine having a half hour lesson with Jack Nicklaus or tips on how to improve your swing from Greg Norman. We're thrilled to bring several of these legendary golfers into the living rooms of golf fans and provide them with inside access to knowledge from some of the game's best."

Viewers will learn everything from how to practice like Tiger Woods to keeping better balance. Each show will be co-hosted be a member of Golf Channel's on-air team. Exclusive video tips from each instructor also will be featured on www.GolfChannel.com/12-Nights.

Golf Channel's Michael Breed, host of the network's Monday night instruction show, The Golf Fix, will give viewers a sneak peek into some of the best moments and tips coming up in the series of shows in a half-hour preview show airing Monday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. ET. Breed also will kick off the episodes on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. ET, when he will discuss spin - left-to-right and right-to-left off the tee - as well as backspin and topspin while putting.

Additional episodes of 12 Nights at the Academy include:

Arnold Palmer, regarded as the most-loved and one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, opens up his garage - his workshop - at his home at Orlando's Bay Hill Club & Lodge. Palmer shares with viewers the importance of the grip on the golf club and provides tips for low, mid and high handicap players. In addition, he also shares stories and memories from the past six decades. Air date: Dec. 10.

Gary Player, the most successful international golfer of all time and winner of 165 tournaments worldwide, reveals his secrets in how to play bunker shots. Air date: Dec. 8

Jack Nicklaus, one of the world's most iconic golfers who changed the face of the sport, teaches how to keep mental toughness and a good round going. Air date: Dec. 9

Greg Norman, nicknamed the "Great White Shark" for his aggressive golf style, shows viewers his teaching philosophy when it comes to ball striking and the short game. Norman also discusses the importance of physical fitness. Air date: Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m. ET

Annika Sorenstam - TBD. Air date: Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m. ET

Hank Haney, one of the world's best golf instructors and Tiger Woods' former swing coach, gives his cure for slices and hooks, and shares the best tip he ever received. His former pupil, Charles Barkley, also will call-in to the show. Air date: Dec. 4

Sean Foley, Woods' current swing coach, will discuss swing drills he takes Woods through. Foley also discusses the swing philosophy he instills in all of his students - swinging around the spine. Air date: Dec. 3

Short game specialist, Dave Stockton will be joined by his sons - Dave Jr. and Ron - to provide tips on putting. Air date: Dec. 6

Rocco Mediate and swing coach Jimmy Ballard will discuss with viewers how Mediate changed his golf swing and resurrected his game after nearly retiring due to lingering back injuries. Air date: Dec. 2

Golf Channel analysts Brandel Chamblee and Frank Nobilo will show viewers how the moment of impact is the most important aspect of the swing. Air date: Dec. 1

12 Nights at the Academy Schedule (All Times Eastern)

Nov. 22 Preview Show, hosted by Michael Breed 7 p.m.
Nov. 29 Michael Breed 7 p.m.
Nov. 29 Greg Norman 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 Instructor Search Finalist #1 7 p.m.
Dec. 1 Brandel Chamblee/Frank Nobilo 7 p.m.
Dec. 1 Annika Sorenstam 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 Rocco Mediate with Jimmy Ballard 7 p.m.
Dec. 3 Sean Foley 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 Hank Haney 7 p.m.
Dec. 5 Instructor Search Finalist #2 7 p.m.
Dec. 6 Dave Stockton 7 p.m.
Dec. 7 Instructor Search Finalist #3 7 p.m.
Dec. 8 Gary Player 7 p.m.
Dec. 9 Jack Nicklaus 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 Arnold Palmer 7 p.m.

About Golf Channel
Golf Channel is a multimedia, golf entertainment and services company based in Orlando, Fla. The Golf Channel cable network, co-founded by Arnold Palmer and a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is available in more than 120 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. Exclusive partnerships with the world's top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, added to a programming schedule distinguished by golf's best news, instruction and original programming. Golf Channel's digital platform of businesses is led by GolfChannel.com, a leading golf destination on the Internet, delivering unmatched coverage of the world of golf, as well as services that help the recreational player with how to play, what to play and where to play golf.

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