Author Archives: Keith Hirshland

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About Keith Hirshland

My name is Keith Hirshland and I am a four decades television veteran who has spent time both in front of and behind the camera. During nearly forty years in broadcasting my path has crossed in front of, behind and alongside some of the best in the business... And some of the worst. Many of those people I count as friends while others wouldn't make the effort to spit on me if I was on fire. This television life started early watching my Mom and Dad found, fund and run a local affiliate TV station in Reno, Nevada. As a teenager approaching adulthood I worked for them, first as an on-air sports reporter/anchor and later as a director and producer. Jobs in the industry took me across the country and then to many places around the world. Sports is my passion and putting it on TV has been my business. Production credits include auto racing, baseball, basketball, bowling, college football, field hockey, soccer, volleyball and water polo but the majority of my time "in the chair" since 1990 has been invested in the game of golf with both ESPN and The Golf. Channel ( I was one of the first forty people hired by TGC in 1994 ). I am a fan and I watch TV sports as a fan but I also have hundreds of thousands of hours watching from inside a production truck. I think that makes me qualified to comment, my hope is you agree. I have written four books, Cover Me Boys, I'm Going In (Tales of the Tube from a Broadcast Brat), a memoir that is a tribute to my parents, the hard working, creative people who started ESPN2 and The Golf Channel and a look back at my life in television. Cover Me Boys was awarded the “Memoir of the Year” in 2017 by Book Talk Radio Club. In February of 2019 it was released anew by Beacon Publishing Group. My second book is a novel, Big Flies, and is a mystery that tells the story of a father and a son with four of the world's most notorious unsolved robberies as a backdrop. Big Flies was named “Solo Medalist” in the True Crime category by New Apple Awards. My third book, another mystery titled The Flower Girl Murder, was published in 2018. Book number four might be the most fun I ever had on a writing project. Murphy Murphy and the Case of Serious Crisis is a mystery, a love story, and an homage to good grammar. It is both the Book Talk Radio Club BOOK OF THE YEAR for 202 and a TopShelf Awards first prize winner in the mystery category. All four are available at Amazon. Book five is in the capable hands of the good people at Beacon Publishing Group and should be available soon. I look forward to sharing new thoughts about golf, golf television, sports in general and the broadcast industry with you. The views expressed here are mine and mine alone. They are not connected to nor endorsed by any other person, association, company or organization.

MLB Should Change How and When it Votes for Post Season Awards

This month Clayton Kershaw was awarded both the 2014 National League Cy Young and the NL Most Valuable Player for his work as the “senior circuit’s” best pitcher. It was the Los Angeles Dodger lefty’s second straight “Cy” win and … Continue reading

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In Defense of Baseball

In his 1956 biography, the great golfer and gamesman, Walter Hagen wrote, “You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” I didn’t know Hagen personally, never met … Continue reading

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It’s Not Just The Ryder Cup That’s Broken It’s Team USA’s Give-A-Damn

And who can blame them. I read, listened and watched with interest as players (current and former), captains (former), fans and so called experts, bloviated and opined about the disastrous effects and far-reaching consequences of America losing the Ryder Cup … Continue reading

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A Trip to Tokyo

  In January our daughter, Hayley, moved to Tokyo. This wasn’t a whim. This wasn’t an act of fancy. This was a conscious, well thought out decision based on years of interest in, and respect for, the culture, as well … Continue reading

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The Best Golf Event You May Have Never Heard About

  Did you know last month a United States team played in, and won, a major international sports event? I’m not talking about the Mike Krzyzewski coached, highly paid, overly endorsed, NBA employed hoops team that came away from the … Continue reading

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Ten Reasons Why I Think Jerry Foltz is Golf Television’s Best On-Course Announcer

I watch a lot of golf on television. I watch a lot of golf on television alone because my wife and dog can’t stay in the same room with me because I spend a lot of time shaking my head … Continue reading

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TIGER and JACK? What about TIGER and ARNIE?

Since Tiger Woods began winning golf’s major championships, with The Masters in 1997, those who think, care, write and talk about the sport have linked and compared him to the man many called “the greatest to ever play the game”, … Continue reading

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The Most Annoying and Unnecessary Stats in Sports

 17th Century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli is said to have once proclaimed, “There are lies, damned lies and statistics.” As a television producer and sports fan I would say he is on to something. Modern sports event telecasts are … Continue reading

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Bandon Brothers and Sisters Final Part

This is the final part of a four part series on our recent trip to Bandon Dunes DAY FOUR – PUNCHBOWL BY NIGHT, OLD MACDONALD BY DAY Sunday evening, our final Bandon sunset, found us embroiled in another epic putting … Continue reading

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Bandon Brothers and Sisters Part 3

  This is part three of a four part series on our recent trip to Bandon Dunes DAY THREE – THE NAMESAKE After a few rounds of cocktails and a round of putting on Punchbowl, the 18 hole, 100,000+ square … Continue reading

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