The Sentry Tournament of Champions is the new hot topic in the US. But it is trending for all the wrong reasons currently.
The Golf Channel is one of the broadcasting partners of the Tournament this year. However, fans are not happy with the channel’s coverage; especially Geoff Shackelford.
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Geoff Shackelford is a senior writer at Golf Magazine. He has written over ten books, and is the co-host of The Ringer’s ‘ShackHouse.’ GeoffShackelford.com, his website, was once named as one of the ten best golf websites in 2004.
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Interestingly, Geoff is also a weekly contributor to Golf Channel’s Morning Drive. However, he recently expressed his disappointment with the channel’s coverage.
Shackelford is not happy with the broadcasting of the Tournament of Champions
Not everyone can watch the matches live. From exceeding ticket prices to Covid-19 restrictions, many fans are obligated to watch the match through the telecast. However, with discrepancies in the broadcast, fans can’t enjoy the game from their livings rooms as well.
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Geoff posted his disappointment on Twitter after a section of the audio was censored following Justin Thomas’ tee shot. Fans who experienced the same took to the comments.
Lot of suspiciously long @golfchannel audio difficulties on this Thomas tee shot aftermath. 🤔 🤬 pic.twitter.com/9GkyE2qiYF
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) January 7, 2022
I thought it was my cable 😄
— jkyllhyde (@jkyllhyde) January 7, 2022
Shackelford replied to this comment, “I think with the tour handling production there may be a lot of this going forward!”
Although initially, as Geoff thought it was the PGA Tour that was responsible for the audio censoring, the same video from GOLFTV, uncensored, proved otherwise.
No “audio difficulties” on the GOLFTV feed. pic.twitter.com/BBDqyxqBpD
— Peter Robertson (@pagrobertson) January 7, 2022
Fan reactions to the Mickelson feed
Frustrated with the channel’s censoring, Geoff posted a chain of tweets sharing the moments where Golf Channel did the same, and this time it was for golf legend, Phil Mickelson.
With the @PGATOUR taking over production of the broadcasts, it appears they have a full time audio censor devoted to muting anything remotely sensitive. Here’s another involving @PhilMickelson. Or they are just having a lot of audio difficulties! pic.twitter.com/CP3LkISZmb
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) January 7, 2022
While the replies on his tweets involving Thomas were supporting the accusations, Shakelford’s post on Phil Mickelson had a funnier comment section.
Nobody needs to hear what Phil says. He will speak his mind on social media. He is a walking billboard
— M🌕🌕Nbeam Golf and such (@koloraphtis) January 7, 2022
Nope, when you have his money you need to speak what you think (remember the Ryder Cup loudmouth fiasco), but of course PGA must protect its products, right.
— Patrick Haugen (@CelticDude) January 7, 2022
There were some comparing the NFL, MLB, and NBA with golf. The comment said,
It’s 2022 and we’re still worried about occasional profanity on a golf course? Ever attended an NFL, MLB, or NBA game live? You hear far worse in the stands let alone on the field/court. Give me a break.
— DJ I-Train (@DJITRAIN) January 7, 2022
More audio muting at the Tournament of Champions!
While they were contemplating the Mickelson feed, more audio muting happened between the Tournament broadcasting. And it happened to be to Jordan Spieth, whom Shackelford thinks is always careful with his language.
I’ve watched a lot of @JordanSpieth in person and he is careful with his language. This censorship makes him and the announcers who don’t know this is going on look bad for reasons out of their control. It’s so lame in 2022 & hopefully a day-one thing the @pgatour will review. pic.twitter.com/CJwrygQcpJ
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) January 7, 2022
This time, fans went rogue and started accusing the PGA Tour and the channel for muting the audio at less “inappropriate” places.
Most likely!! That’s what so crazy in his case. Or “Oh Jordan!”
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) January 7, 2022
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Huh? The Tour is cutting out the audio but the announcers hear it and don’t know it’s being cut out? This is a fiasco. If anyone in Golf Channel management has a spine, they’re telling the Tour this is unacceptable. (And it’s complicated technically and will get fouled up.)
— Illinois Golfer (@IllinoisGolfer) January 7, 2022
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Read more: Why are PGA Tour Players Wearing Green Ribbons at the 2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions?
What do you think about the audio muting at the Tournament of Champions? Is it justified by the broadcasters?
