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CGA Tour Guide

She reaches for the stars (then talks golf with them)

The Golf Channel's Ann Liguori has a knack for getting celebrities to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets about golf- and other subjects.
By: Dave Shedloski

Anyone familiar with golf, or who is close to someone who is a devotee of the sport, knows how enthusiastic golfers can be when it comes to talking about their games- even if they don't necessarily like to talk about themselves.
Ann Liguori, who has played golf practically all her life, long has recognized this tendency among her fellow links lovers- and may even have been guilty of it a time or two herself. But instead of fighting the inclination, she has incorporated it into her diverse broadcast career.
"You can learn a lot about someone by playing golf with them," Liguori says " By the same token, I can learn a lot about a guest with golf as the underlying theme. People tend to become relaxed and open up about other things in their life."
The approach has given golf talk a good name and has provided The Golf Channel with one of its most successful programs, aptly titled "Conversations with Ann Liguori."
Beginning its third season, "Conversations" has become a welcome conduit between celebrity golfers and their adoring public. The list of well-known entertainers and athletes Liguori has hosted is a veritable "Who's Who" of happy hustlers and hackers.
Her premeire program features Sylvester Stallone. Those guests who have followed make up an eclectic collection that includes Kevin Costner, Charles Barkley, Vince Gill, Jeff Daniels, Alice Cooper Amy Grant, Pete Sampras, Meatloaf, Joanna Kerns, Ed Marinaro, Evel Kneivel and former veice president Dan Quayle.
You don't attract that kind of star power unless you're doing something right.
Liguori has hit upon a perfect formula that combines her interviewing talents with golf's growing appeal among celebrities and young adults.
"I think a lot f the individuals I talk with get a spiritual tranquility from the game that obviously is missing from their lives as celebrities," saya Liguori, who owns and produces another magazine program for Prime Sports calles "Sharp Sports Innerview" and hosts a weekly sports talk radio program.