Kelly Tilghman has announced she will be leaving The Golf Channel after 22 years with the network.
The sportscaster began working in the tape library when she joined the channel in 1996, shortly after its inception. Tilghman served The Golf Channel in a variety of roles including course reporter, announcer on their PGA Tour telecasts and anchor of their weeknight program Golf Central.
“She has been a trailblazer for female broadcasters and we thank her for her immeasurable contributions,” wrote the Golf Channel in their PR statement. “We wish her well as she transitions to her next chapter and thank her for her immeasurable contributions and professionalism.”
Tilghman wrote a farewell letter via golfchannel.com in which she thanked the viewers stating, “You made me feel like I was part of your family. You watched me mature and grow into the broadcaster I am today. You embraced me and my equally passionate, hard-working colleagues. I want to give special thanks to every one of you who stopped me in an airport, restaurant or grocery store and said, “Kelly, we watch you every night.”
Tilghman will work through Sunday, completing her tenure at the network with the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. Tilghman became good friends with Palmer during the early years at The Golf Channel, noting in her letter, “It’s the perfect spot for so many obvious reasons. Arnold’s family will be there. My Golf Channel and NBC family will be there. I know you will, too, like you always have.”
Though no announcement on her future was made, the 48-year old Tilghman doesn’t plan to retire, “I can’t imagine a scenario where I would never be on television again.”
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.