Golf Host Kessler Goes Direct to the Dish

A lot of old-timer Golf Channel viewers still mourn the departure of Peter Kessler from that network several years ago, for good reason. No breathing soul knows more golf history or has a better pulse on the game from day to day. Not that the Florida resident has been laying low of late; his daily program on XM Sirius satellite radio's PGA Tour Radio Network is popular among golf news junkies, and I've had the pleasure of guesting on it several times over the past few years.

But now Kessler's deep, authoritative voice will be heard on TV on a regular basis as part of DIRECTV's regular lineup. The world’s most popular video service, along with 4Ball Productions, will premier Golf Stories on The 101 Network on Sept. 28 at 9 p.m. on DIRECTV’s The 101 Network. Kessler hosts a series of hour-long specials throughout the year, providing viewers with an insider’s look at the world of golf, profiles of the world’s greatest resorts and top courses, interviews with the greats of the game, the history of the game, behind the scenes looks at life on tour, instructions on how to improve their game and much, much more.

“DIRECTV is already the leader in the clubhouse with golf fans who have enjoyed an unprecedented level of golf programming that has included exclusive, interactive coverage of all four major grand slam tournaments,” said Chris Long, senior vice president, Entertainment and Production for DIRECTV. “Golf Stories on The 101 Network perfectly complements our existing programming by offering golf fans and enthusiasts access to the best courses, tours, instruction and players that cannot be found anywhere else.”

The premiere of Golf Stories on The 101 Network is co-hosted by Stina Sternberg and features an interview with Jack Nicklaus, golf’s “Golden Bear.” Nicklaus sits down with Kessler and opens up about life, family and golf. The episode also includes a behind-the-scenes look at how Golf Digest shoots its year-long instructionals with Butch Harmon, the game’s most influential teacher; a visit with Marius Filmalter, the new TOUR putting guru whose first client was Tiger Woods; a look at The Spirit, one of golf's premier amateur events; and an emotional one-on-one with the father of modern golf instruction, Bob Toski. Here's a sneak preview:

Known as the “Voice of Golf,” Peter Kessler was also the voice of HBO Sports and has narrated Emmy award-winning documentaries. As the primary talent at The Golf Channel for eight years, he wrote, hosted and produced over 1,300 hours of live television, interviewing every great player and teacher of the 20th century. Peter also wrote highly acclaimed long-form interviews for GOLF Magazine and founded the first company to market hybrid golf clubs.