SKY GOLF COMMENTATORS

Rust contributors like to work up a fair old head of steam on female sporting broadcasters, the view of some being that they are there not because of any indigenous talent but because they are women. To take a contrarian view I would like today to champion the cause of Henni Zuel, the youngest ever golfer to play on the Ladies Tour, and an analyst for SKY golf. She dispelled any notion of being just eye candy yesterday when she was covering the Tshwane Open in Pretoria, South Africa. The anchor was Richard Haddock and dressed in a simple beige sweater her strong facial features made her telegenic but above all she was well informed on the course, players and conditions adding value for the viewer. Just 27, I would predict her tv future goes beyond golf broadcasting. She is with the David Beckham management people and is fluent and well schooled. Oh and by the way chaps and ladies, she is the fiancée of Argentina golfer Estanislao Goya so she is spoken for !

I cannot say my admiration extends to all the commentary team. I find Kiwi Wayne Riley increasingly garrulous, bumptious and fatuous.

Euan Murray, for many years the pro at Walton Heath, is a superb anchor man whilst South Africans Dale Hayes and Tony Johnstone bring wit and knowledge to the proceedings.

Over at the US PGA, CBS utilise Sir Nick Faldo who would be ok till he thinks he is being funny.

As another golfer said “Nick and I have something in common, we can’t make people laugh. The difference is he thinks he can.” Jim Nantz holds it altogether there for CBS and I love his highly deferential manner especially when he is beside Jack Nicklaus or interviewing some tough CEO of the sponsors inevitably talking about their company’s fine charitable work in the locality .

Being old school, I still retain warm memories of Henry Longhurst and enjoy Peter Alliss and Bruce”The Colonel ” Critchley but it’s certainly exciting to see a new young talent like Henni Zuel emerge too.