Golf Channel Cuts Roger Maltbie, Gary Koch From 2023 Broadcast Team

0
NBC Golf Channel Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch
Roger Maltbie (L) and Gary Koch (R) celebrate on the 18th green after winning the Raphael Division of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa on April 25, 2009 in Savannah, GA. (Photo by Hunter Martin via Getty Images)

According to Golfweek, Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch have been axed by NBC Golf Channel’s Executive Producer Molly Solomon. The duo will not return to network broadcasts in 2023.

Solomon’s decision was made to “refresh” the team for the future, according to Maltbie and Koch.

“Roger and Gary have been synonymous with NBC Sports’ golf coverage for decades, having educated and entertained multiple generations of viewers and having made some of the most memorable calls in the history of the game,” Solomon spun in a statement to Golfweek.

“Their professionalism and prowess is only exceeded by their character as they have been great teammates and friends to so many of us here. We will be honoring their careers during our coverage of the PNC Championship in December.”

Maltbie, 71, was originally laid off in 2021 but returned for the 2022 season when Jim “Bones” Mackay left his on-air role to caddie for Justin Thomas. A five-time PGA Tour winner, Maltbie has covered golf for NBC Sports since 1992. His signature element is a “golf whisper,” necessitated by the fact that he generally stands much closer to the green than other on-course reporters.

Koch, 69, is a six-time winner on the tour and was an analyst in the tower for the network’s coverage, including Tiger Woods’ 2008 U.S. Open victory. He is best known, though, for his “Better than Most” call in the third round of the 2001 Players Championship at the TPC at Sawgrass. Three off the pace of Jerry Kelly, Woods faced a lengthy, triple-breaking, fringe putt for birdie on the famous 17th hole’s Island Green. Koch’s call of that putt has gone down as one of the most famous in golf history. Woods would go on to win.

Will LIV Golf come calling for a pair of legends? Stay tuned.

Advertisement

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your name here