From the Forward Tees

Ann Liguori believes
that golf can really
help women in business

By Cynthia Boal Janssens,
Staff Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 6, 2003) -- Ann Liguori is one of America's best known female sports broadcasters. Actually, I hesitate to put that "female" in there because she has been in this business so long that she can certainly stand on her own merits.

She is truly a gal who has forged her way in a man's world and done it on her own. It began in 1987 when New York radio station WFAN decided to become the first to go to an all-sports format. Ann was hired to host a talk show on Saturday mornings. Sixteen years later, she is still with the station, giving as good as she gets on Sunday evenings from 9 p.m.-midnight. She discusses all sports while taking phone calls.

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In the meantime, she has formed her own sports production company that tapes and sells the show Sports Innerview with Ann Liguori, has written a book, does motivational speaking and is a corporate spokeswoman.

Ann and I managed to link up this month for a round at the Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando. She owns a second home in nearby Winter Park, near her sister, and she slips down here whenever she can. When I mention that I will be playing with Ann Liguori, the bag boy immediately asks:

"You mean Ann Liguori, from WFAN?" Then, looking sheepish, he says: "You can tell I'm a New Yorker, eh?"

"It's been amazing exposure," she explains when told of her local fame. "Of course when I began there were no women in the business hosting sports talk shows, so there was a lot of pressure to know a lot about all sports. I worked very, very hard to learn as much as I could."

Much as she enjoys the talk show work, she is proudest of her production company, which she formed in 1989. Since then she and her camera crew have filmed over 600 interviews, many of them on the golf course. These syndicated shows are aired on cable networks like New England Sports Network and the Sunshine Network in Florida.

"It's fun to run the business but tons of work. I schedule the interviews, hire the camera crews, supervise the production of the show, get the sponsors and sell the shows. It is extremely rewarding.plus I own all of these incredible interviews."

She admits that celebrities like Celine Dion, Matthew McConaughey and Joe Pesci are very difficult to nail down. "They rarely talk to the media for more than a few minutes and usually only to promote a movie or concert, and I need them for an entire day to interview them while we play golf," she explains.

Her interviews, which she also sells on her Web site as individual tapes, are becoming ever more valuable. Her interviews with the late Ted Williams, Charles Schulz and Joe DiMaggio are already classics. She also has managed to convert these relationships into a book, A Passion for Golf: Celebrity Musings About the Game and audiotape, "A Passion for Life, Celebrity Musings from the Fairways."

She admits that her very first filmed interview was an eye-opener. "The show was taped in 1989 with Mickey Mantle at Mantle's Restaurant in Manhattan. It was 10 in the morning and before we started, Mantle barked at my cameraman to get him a drink. I was shocked! This was long before the public was told that Mantle had a drinking problem. After the interview, Mantle asked me if I would go to dinner with him. When I declined, he said, 'How about your friend Janice?' "

She also has served as a radio correspondent for most of the world's major sports events including the Olympics, the Masters, Wimbledon and the Ryder and Solheim cups.

But when we are chatting, it is obvious that what Ann wants to talk about is women and golf. A lifelong athlete who earned 16 varsity letters in high school sports, she says she most likes golf and tennis, the sports you can play for a lifetime. She is impressed with my husband, who is playing along with us.

"I like to see husbands and wives play together and encourage each other on the course. I run into so many men who don't want their wives to play golf. Why is that? It is good for men and women to do an activity together that both are passionate about. And because golf takes so much time and can take you to some of the most beautiful resorts in the world, why not spend the time playing with and discovering the world with your spouse?"

Ann took up golf in her early 20s and today plays to an 11 index. In her public speaking, she encourages women to take up the game for some very different reasons.

"I speak to a lot of women's groups about using golf as a vehicle to conduct business. They have to realize that spending a day playing golf with clients is an excellent way to bond with clients and potential business partners. It gets you out of the office. If you are stuck inside you won't be making as many deals. I think I land most of my sponsors on or around a golf course."

But she particularly advises single women to become active in the game. "I encourage my single friends who want to meet guys to take up golf. Instead of going to a bar or a club, it is much "safer" to meet men through golf."

Ann, who is in her early 40s and single herself, says women should realize that most of the men they will meet playing golf will be reasonably well educated and have a decent income.

"The golf course is really a great place to get to know somebody. You can quickly learn about a person's temperament, honesty and integrity. Is he a good sport? Is he patient? You will learn some really important things. It is all about honesty and character on a golf course."

She adds, "You know, the late Dave Thomas of Wendy's fame told me he would never hire a top executive until he had played golf with them. He thought it was that important."

Then Ann switches gears, talking about how Annika Sorenstam performed when she played against the guy pros. "Annika is the No. 1 female player in the world. Why did so many question her ability to play with men? I guess since I have played sports with and against guys my whole life, I was annoyed by all the skeptics out there and the people who did not want her to do well." "She was fabulous," Ann states. "And I agree with Tiger Woods who said he would like to see her play in five or six PGA Tour events to give her more opportunity to test her skills. I've interviewed Annika several times, and I am a great fan of hers. In fact, here's an anecdote:

"I was emceeing a Women In Business luncheon at an LPGA tournament and after lunch, I escorted Annika as she played a few holes. The galleries moved with us to watch, and I was announcing as she played.

"When we got to the first green, she asked me to read about a 20-foot putt. So I stood behind her, studied the line, and told her the ball would break one to two inches, left to right.

"To which Annika promptly replied, 'Well, which is it? One inch or two?' That really showed me how exact and precise the top players in the world are! "

So what does she think about Augusta National accepting women as members? "Because the club stages a public event, I think the club should be integrated. I think Augusta National will eventually do the right thing and invite women to join.

"However, I do think many overlooked what was really one of the big sports stories and that is when Augusta National said 'No, thank you' to their sponsors last year. In the business world of sports, that is totally unheard of."

And what one thing has Ann learned from playing golf with so many celebrities? "The top athletes in the world are humbled by the game. The most successful people in various fields cannot, despite their work ethic, determination, mental and physical strength, master it.

"They are all challenged by golf and that's why they are so passionate about the game and keep coming back for more."

Ann Liguori's books and tapes can be purchased online at annliguori.com. "Sports Innerview with Ann Liguori" airs each week in top markets throughout the country on regional sports cable networks. Check your local listings.

Her book' "A Passion for Golf, Celebrity Musings About the Game" (Taylor Publishing 1998), includes interviews with celebrities like Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Costner, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Yogi Berra, Jim Brown, Alice Cooper, Glenn Frey and Smokey Robinson about their interest in golf.

She also produced and narrated an audiobook , "A Passion for Life, Celebrity Musings from the Fairways" (Audio Book Club, 2000), with interviews from various celebrities including Celine Dion, Matthew McConaughey, Brett Favre, Joe Pesci and the late Charles Schulz.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.