Caitlin Clark, the star of Indiana Fever, is competing in a different sport pro-am on Wednesday. The original Iowa star wants to show off her prowess on the fairway while the Golf Channel tries to highlight a generational star, which could increase the page of the program.
It’s excellent for everyone whenever a particular person like Caitlin Clark joins our activity, according to NBC Sports ‘ executive vice president of sport, Tom Knapp. It shows how difficult golf is to throw herself out there and demonstrate her golfing prowess alongside some of the world’s best and most successful golfers in a professional manner.
The WNBA Rookie of the Year is set to join in an 18-hole pro-am titled The ANNIKA at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Fla., on Wednesday. Clark, a 6-year-old who has been playing sport, may compete against world No. The first nine holes feature Nelly Korda, who will play alongside game host Annika Sörenstam, who has won the LPGA twice, for the final nine holes. Clark’s participation is a part of her endorsement deal with Gainbridge, an Indiana-based insurtech company and tournament sponsor, which also owns the naming rights to the Indiana Pacers and Fever ( Gainbridge Fieldhouse ) home.

This is n’t Clark’s earliest look on the professional golf level. She played with two-time major champion Zach Johnson, a native of Iowa, in the John Deere Pro-Am next summers. Following on that success, she’ll sign autographs for enthusiasts throughout the 18 holes.
For the first time in a while, Golf Channel has expanded its protection and software for a pro-am occasion, as Knapp anticipates higher ratings for the network during that weekday window. Knapp claims that the costs associated with expanding coverage are more based on long-term considering than short-term results, especially given that the community owns the rights to the LPGA, another women’s sports home looking to capitalize on the speed of development across women’s sports.
” When we decided to invest in this, we really did n’t say’ oh it’s going to do two or three times than what we normally would do,'” he said. ” We knew it would do better but equivalent to the economy, this is good for everyone to glow a light on children’s sport and children’s activities. Since we know that showing Caitlin will be good in the long run, we did n’t do a deep dive, so let’s be honest. We did a little sharpening, but we did n’t do a deep dive.
Golf Channel’s Golf Today present will begin at 11: 00 a. m. at the ANNIKA—90 days earlier than usual. The system uses all of the telecast’s final hour to cover Clark’s pro-am with highlights and lived look-ins, making use of the available resources and equipment for the competition, which begins on Thursday. A transcript of an appointment with Kira K. Dixon, a journalist and host of the Golf Channel, may also be included in the policy.

Pro-ams may help networks produce unique information that reveals a person’s approach and preparation for potential interviews before, during, and after an event. It contains a number of live training rounds that are challenging to recreate right away when the tournament begins. The Golf Channel, which often televises pro-ams again, is looking to utilize one of the most famous athletes on the planet, a rising golf legend and lesser-known story who helped pave the way for today’s growth. Clark may receive more attention, but Korda, who is also a Nike athlete, is expected to receive more national interest.
Clark is not the first top bat-and-ball player to get a strong interest in golf and see how it compares to the pros, even though she is considering an offer from the other women’s hockey league Unrivaled. John Smoltz, a former professional golfer, and Michael Jordan, a current and former NBA Hall of Famer, are also successful golf. However, this cross occurs at a strange period, when women’s sports are receiving more attention than ever.
” She’s just getting started on one of the most memorable jobs in professional activities”, Knapp added. ” This left her to the WNBA. We’d love to have her, but as frequently as she wants to step up into our planet.