
ATLANTA – July 26, 2007 – Every year, millions of golf lovers (and golf haters) hit the links in search of their perfect round – striving to have a Tiger Woods moment or a Phil Mickelson clutch save. Yet according to the National Golf Foundation, less than eight percent of golfers will ever play a round in the 80s. In fact, the average round is almost 100. Golf on television has tried to help – from showing pros' techniques in tournament coverage, to instructional tips to hundreds of infomercials pushing the latest gadgets to reduce strokes. Finally, there's an answer. Beginning in August, duffers will have a show they can call their own – "Real Guys...Real Golf."
"Real Guys...Real Golf," debuting on the national cable network MavTV, is a unique reality sports, travel and entertainment show that follows four average guys, yet avid golfers, as they travel to some of the best golf resorts in the country. Viewers can watch (and likely relate to) the guys' less than stellar golf performances and vicariously experience "not to be missed" resort amenities, restaurants and nightlife hotspots. Each hour-long show begins with information on the course and the resort's amenities, and then the real fun begins. The camera follows the foursome as they try to tackle the course – jibs and jabs like "I think your putter got stuck in your skirt," and "Forty bucks says it's in the water" are uttered when the guys are actually being nice. While sometimes the course gets the best of them, they always finish with a great meal, a little relaxation and local entertainment.
"Real Guys...Real Golf" host Brian Katrek is a veteran sports broadcaster, having served as lead announcer for the PGA Tour's radio and international television broadcasts and as the current host of "On the Green," a weekly radio show on Atlanta's 790 The Zone. In each episode, Brian is joined by three guest golfers, ranging from fellow radio personalities like Mike Bell, co-host of 790's Mayhem in the A.M., Chuck Oliver of 790 The Zone and Jimmy Baron, a former member of Atlanta's 99X morning show, to professional athletes and just some "real guys.
"We try not to take ourselves too seriously because, like most golfers, we don't claim to be great at the game," said Chris Wilson, the show's co-creator and guest "real guy" golfer. "We wanted to create a show for people like us who love the game and its challenges, and like to have a little fun on and off the course."
For the show's first episode, the guys feature the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla. to give viewers a taste of the course and the local nightlife. Throughout the season the guys will feature additional popular golf resorts, including Sawgrass Marriott Resort in Jacksonville, Fla.; Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate in Orlando, Fla.; and Big Canoe in Big Canoe, Ga. Additional resorts will be featured for upcoming shows.
Prestigious golf resorts aren't the only big names associated with the show – several recognizable sponsors have already signed up. Initial sponsors include Walt Disney World Golf, Divots, Mizuno Golf, Backyard Golf and Teetimeslive.com.
Beginning in August, viewers in 55 MavTV markets across the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Dallas, Washington D.C. and Houston, can tune in to see the guys and their antics. After each new show airs, fans can log on to the network's Web site, www.mavtv.com, to stream episodes of the show. Fans also can visit the show's Web site, www.realguysrealgolf.com, to sign up for an e-newsletter that will include updates on future shows, golf tips and humorous travelogues from the real guys.
About Real Guys...Real Golf
Created by Bryan Wetzel and Chris Wilson, "Real Guys...Real Golf" depicts the average
golfer – the guys who will never break 80, never play at Augusta National and rarely
identify with the current golf programs on television. The show follows a group of four
average guys as they travel to some of the country's best golf resorts to play a humorous
round of mediocre golf and have a little fun after a long day on the course. Scheduled
to debut in August 2007, the show will air on MavTV.
About MavTV
MavTV is an independently-owned national cable network and video brand created specifically
to appeal to the interests of men. Launched on Oct. 1, 2004 the network features a mix of
original sports and gaming programming as well as general content related to the male
demographic. MavTV can be seen in more than 55 key markets via cable in the US and has
distribution agreements on mobile platforms in the US, Australia, New Zealand, and India.
In addition, the MavTV live feed and original content can be found internationally on
broadcast and cable beginning later in 2007. Additional information can be found at
www.mavtv.com.