15 August 2008
S4C begins its coverage of top-class golf on Wednesday, 20 August (9.30pm) with Golffio, a new magazine programme featuring free-to-air highlights of some of the world’s major tournaments.
The programme will be presented by former Wales rugby international and golf enthusiast Jonathan Davies, along with presenter, actor and comedian Dewi ‘Pws’ Morris and presenter Llinos Lee.
Golffio starts with highlights of The European Tour International Schedule, the US PGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, which this week is in Wales with the S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe being held at Machynys Peninsula Golf and Country Club, near Llanelli.
Looking ahead, future programmes will feature highlights of The 2010 Ryder Cup, to be held at The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open, Newport, South Wales course, along with other tournaments, over the next three seasons.
Jonathan Davies said: “I’m really looking forward to presenting Golffio on S4C. I’ve been a passionate golf fan for many years, both as an amateur player and as a spectator. Golf is a major sport in Wales with a huge following and with The Ryder Cup being held here in 2010, there’s a major buzz about the game all around the country. I hope Golffio will provide the quality, entertaining coverage that followers of the sport in Wales and the UK deserve.”
Geraint Rowlands, S4C’s Content Editor Sport, added: “We are delighted that a sportsman of Jonathan Davies’ stature is heading the presentation team. Jonathan’s pedigree as a sport presenter is well established and he is also an accomplished golfer with a true understanding of the game. He is central to a very strong presentation team who are all passionate about golf. Dewi ‘Pws’ Morris’s humour and originality will add greatly to the show while Llinos had made a huge impression as presenter of S4C’s popular youth magazine series Uned 5.”
Produced by Cardiff-based TV company Indus Films, the series will also be packed with features, news and views about major golfing tournaments, the top players in Wales and the world, Welsh golf courses and golfing equipment, gear and gadgets.
The first programme in the series will keep an eagle eye on the form of Europe’s top golfers as they battle for a place in Nick Faldo’s European Ryder Cup Team to challenge the United States in The 2008 Ryder Cup held at Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky, USA on September 19-21.
Golffio, which will be broadcast during August and September, with an end-of-season review programme in November, is great news for golf enthusiasts throughout the UK. The programme will be available on S4C’s digital channel, S4C digidol in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Sky 134 and Freesat 120 as well as in Wales on Freeview 4, Freesat 104, Sky 104 and Virgin Media 194.
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