F
ew people have their finger on the pulse of the LPGA more than Beth Hutter, Golf Channel’s producer for LPGA events since 2006. Hutter knows the sport and its personalities better than most, which helps her direct the network’s coverage of the tour.
Viewers are noticing that coverage. Ratings for the LPGA on Golf Channel this year are up 21 percent, making it the most watched year for the LPGA on the network. Hutter has embraced the catchphrase created by LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan — “See why it’s different out here” — and incorporated that thinking into her broadcasts.
“I really look for ways to depict that in the show,” Hutter said, saying the concept applies to whether she’s showing a different side of a player, inviting a player into the production truck or interviewing a player in the middle of a round.
Now that the LPGA is back on a growth curve after some lean years, Hutter finds herself pushing LPGA content onto more of Golf Channel’s platforms, as well.
“We are now providing a lot more content for the network’s news shows, including ‘Morning Drive’ and ‘Golf Central,’ as well as specific content for GolfChannel.com,” she said. “[And] as the LPGA expands as a tour, we are constantly adding more events and content. Therefore, my schedule has become a lot busier.”
— Michael Smith
