News
Back9Network busts, suspends operations
Startup golf lifestyle network Back9Network announced on Monday in a statement that it has suspended operations due to a “temporary shortfall in capital.”
[quote_box_center]“Management and the board of directors are planning next steps and will continue their efforts to secure long-term, operating capital,” the company said in a statement. “The company will keep the public informed with any new developments.”[/quote_box_center]
While the statement and recent reports indicate that the network was and still is actively seeking the cash it needs to remain afloat, this latest news indicates that those efforts have not proven fruitful to date.
I talked with PGA Tour and Web.com player Kyle Thompson, who Back9 sponsors, earlier to get his take on the news.
[quote_box_center]“I tried to promote them some on social media and wore the logo on my bag,” Thompson told me. “Great bunch working for them. It’s too bad they went under. I feel like it’s just tough these days if you aren’t syndicated in HD.”[/quote_box_center]
Back9 went live on the air on DirecTV back in late September. The network has received $5 million in state loans from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development plus a $100,000 grant. The requirements of the loans awarded to the network back in Aug. 2012 required that Back9 retain 10 jobs and create another 40 by the end of 2014.
In January, the company laid off 35 of its full-time employees. Just a few weeks later, it was reported that Back9 was actively and aggressively seeking to raise a “significant” amount of capital through new investors or a potential buyout in an attempt to keep the network operational.
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Morning 9: 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour | Rory on possible return to policy board
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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JR
Feb 25, 2015 at 4:49 pm
The little I saw of Back 9 I thought it was a joke–very poor programs and content was low budget! As far as the GC, I enjoy the fact they have some maybe a good amount of golf on it, Euro, Gals, Sr. and some of the regular tour tho I do not enjoy it much. I find the fact they re-run Morning Drive about 3 times a morning a bit over the top and cannot stomach Hack on the show–the rest are acceptable and I can live with them. Overall am happy with it and will continue to watch as much as I can.
Phat
Feb 25, 2015 at 2:50 pm
An insult to golf and a waste of taxpayer money on page 3 girl photoshoots and lifestyles of the rich and famous junk). They should never have got off the ground.
Bert
Feb 25, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Never watched the Back-9 Network but from above it sounds like it was poor at best. Concerning The Golf Channel, I have tired of the Morning Drive. I dislike continuous yelling and even though Charlie seems funny, I believe his constant attacks on the Rules of Golf exemplify why he need to move on to something else other than golf. He desires attention, sort of like McCord. As for Hack, I like him allot but when he chimes in on in-depth golf topics, he’s over his head; he’s a hack!
Back9 Joke
Feb 25, 2015 at 11:20 am
Bosworth and Gorman are both serial losers……Anyone who put money into this and did not check their backgrounds deserves what they got…..a lot of lost cash.
What a joke this was from the beginning….only can hope that the State AG starts to investigate this rip-off.
theo
Feb 25, 2015 at 10:30 am
it was SD???
…were they also running late night episodes of All in the Family?
Steve
Feb 24, 2015 at 8:56 am
Rashad as your lead anchor, broadcasts in SD. Either they were clueless or someone stole a whole bunch of money.
Roosterredneck
Feb 24, 2015 at 8:46 am
Most all the golf anchors or commenters can’t or do not know how to work without Tiger to video breakdown swing & etc. I just want to watch golf and not just Tiger..I like to watch many different golfers not just the leader or Tiger, Phil, Freddie and etc.
j diz
Feb 25, 2015 at 11:24 am
is this english?
Mike Honcho
Feb 24, 2015 at 7:22 am
When Ahmad Rashad is the main personality you are hanging your hat on, good luck. There’s a reason he got ran off from GC.
Gdb99
Feb 24, 2015 at 6:25 am
I’m Wondering if, as a state of Connecticut resident, will be getting our money back anytime soon…
Bob Eubanks
Feb 23, 2015 at 9:30 pm
I enjoy the golf channel however a lot of their shows are rather boring and the anchors per se are bland especially Gary Williams he is a complete tool. The amount of commercials during a pga tournament is ridiculous not to mention the actual coverage needs to improve substantially. Especially during the masters, crap camera angles and to many commercials.
Connor
Mar 1, 2015 at 5:30 pm
The Golf Channel doesn’t broadcast the Masters…? It’s ESPN Thur-Fri, and CBS on the weekend.
The Golf Channel just does “Live From” which gets monotonous, but they give you all the information from each day that you’d every dream of. I agree with you on GC’s shows though… quite the snoozers.
Mat
Feb 23, 2015 at 9:20 pm
I can livestream in HD on my 5 year old laptop using $200 software and a decent camera. SD isn’t acceptable.
DontChase
Feb 23, 2015 at 7:31 pm
It’s 2015 – who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to start a TV channel – of any kind – that’s not in HD?
So basically you wanted me to buy in to a competitor to the Golf Channel – only not in HD?
Cant imagine where this idea went wrong…
Fsubaseball21
Feb 23, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Being employed in the golf industry I will say this. We REALLY need Tiger Woods to become relivent again. Not Rory not Phil not Jordan or DJ can come close to driving the needle such as Tiger did. Say what you want but a lot of us owe our jobs to him.
FTWPhil
Feb 23, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Golf Channel is subpar sports coverage… Why make a copy?
golfandgamble
Feb 23, 2015 at 4:49 pm
I can see why people nitpick the Golf Channel, but I’m just happy there’s a channel I can watch that shows golf. The coverage we get is so much better than it used to be and for that I’m thankful. I’ve never watched the Big Break or any of the lesson shows, but I think they do a good job with Morning Drive, Golf Central and live golf.
Dave
Feb 25, 2015 at 5:44 pm
Totally agree. Even though GC and on-air “personalities” have become cheesy as hell, it is pretty sweet to have tons of live HD coverage all in one place