The Back9Network, a new golf and lifestyle focused multimedia network, made its official launch at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando recently. Which was a huge success. The team generated massive buzz and intrigue across the industry from CEOs to celebs. The Back9 is about inclusion and breaking away from golf’s rep of “stuffed shirts trying to keep people out,” after all.
I couldn’t go anywhere without people, whether or not they were aware of my involvement, wanting to hear more about Back9. (For purposes of full disclosure, I’m a senior editor for the network, and they’re also the presenting sponsor of WUP, but I’m still an independent contractor.)
I also got a lot of questions (and still am), like, “Who were those hot girls you were hanging out with?!”
Well, I won’t keep everyone in suspense any longer — Anna Rawson, whom you may recognize from the LPGA, and Jenn Bosworth, just to name a few. The above shot was taken at Demo Day — where we cruised around the different booths of various manufacturers and checked out some of the cool things going on and new products being presented.
Javier Colon, winner of NBC’s “The Voice” and B9N’s Artist in Residence, took a shot at the Nike Speed Trial. He showed off his pre-shot routine, too — breaking out in song a few times. Here now, Anna talks with a Nike rep and Javier about the results. (There were a few jaws that had to be picked up off the ground when Anna walked up.)
Next, Anna demos a Callaway club…Not a bad shot, eh?
And some behind the scene pics…
How sweet is Jenn's hat? (She's pretty sweet, too!)
Love the hat. So did everyone else -- they had freebies at the B9N Lounge and they went quicker than we could pass them out...
Back9 Party Bus!
Caught Anna in a candid photo while she was heading out of the Back9 RV
Poor Jenn had some bad chicken for lunch and wasn't feeling too hot.
Back9 had its Launch Party at the Ice Bar on Wednesday evening and I’m not just being biased, but it was probably the best party of the week (or ever at a golf geek conference). I mean, I forgot for a moment that we were at the PGA Merchandise Show. You know, because it was actually — how do I say this — cool.
Javier gave a special performance, along with Flava Flav. Yeah boy!
CEO Jamie Bosworth giving a killer speech at the Launch Party
Got Clock'd!
Finally, check out our recap video that showcases our successful week and demonstrates what we’re all about.
Oh, one last thing — Clint Eastwood is a founding shareholder and creative board chairman of the B9N. Boom.
Great stuff Stephanie. Looks like everyone had a blast at the premier. Been a decent month for Flava Flav I’d say! Good luck Back9
Not sure what a “multimedia network” does or is but if Flava Flav is on board you know it will be classy.
Looks like the Michelin Man has got his eye on the prize in the Anna leaves the RV photo.
Good Luck to your new venture. Hope they are paying you a bonus to wear those ugly hats
Here’s hoping Anna ads an improved golf game to her “assets”.
Wouldn’t it be nice if B9N can get Tiger on the show?
So….Be nice to Tiger!
Sorry, those hats are horrendous
Oh the irony is too much.
may all of your advertising & hot babes convince many golfers to buy your product, or at least to convince other advertisers to buy more time on this “network,” and hardcore profits be made by all involved!
C.R.E.A.M.
Ok, so what is this ? Is it a CATV channel ? Has it been picked up by any of the big operators ? Is it an online “channel”? I’m all for more golf related content, but to be honest, if FlavorFlav is in any way associated with it, i am out. I get trying to appeal to youth (or what is assumed to be youth oriented), but careful u don’t alienate everyone else.
Javier and Flava Flav are “cool” these days?
so some rich white guy is leading a company whose idea is that rich white guys are not marketing golf to ‘the 99%”
Cash those checks as soon as you get them.
>Ok, so what is this?
HOW DARE YOU ASK SUCH THINGS
Golf is not “a bunch of stuffed shirts keeping people out” at places that most people play. Public courses and munis are where most rounds are actually played and generally everyone is welcome.
The stuffed shirts are at private clubs, and the definition of private means that people are “kept out”. How is BackNine going to change that?
Just out of curiosity was the BackNine launch party invitation only?
“The team generated massive buzz and intrigue across the industry from CEOs to celebs.”
Will Anna Rawson play a round of golf with me? Or do I have to be a CEO or a celeb? Is that who you mean by “inclusion”? CEOS and celebs. CEOS and CELEBS! LOL
This whole post is like a parody, and then Flavor Flav shows up.
PS. Nice comments everyone, our bs meter is high.
I would like to buy the entire team a round of drinks
@EricJohnson
are you a CEO or a celeb? otherwise, forget it
Wow….”golf is about a bunch of stuffed shirts trying to keep people out.” I’ll be honest…I’m a golf professional and that statement is ridiculous. The PGA of America has all sorts of programs to help grow the game of golf . It seems like the more people try to make golf look hip and “cool” they end up failing miserably and make it look lame…..I’m not sure how Flava Flave can make anything look cool.
nothing says young, hip, and inclusive than the participation of an 80 year old republican badass like Clint. maybe he can focus on the “Any which way But Loose” phase of his movies, that orangoutang is just way funny (not to mention way hip). I’d love to hear his comments as creative chairman when he screens the first “hot chicks and flavaflav bust up the stodgy golf club” ep.
Hmmm, using pretty girls to sell stuff, that’s never been done before, right?