“It demands that a player do everything well.” – NBC Sports’ Gary Koch on the Copperhead Course

RETIEF GOOSEN TO DEFEND TITLE AT TRANSITIONS CHAMPIONSHIP AT COPPERHEAD THIS WEEKEND ON NBC SPORTS

“It demands that a player do everything well.” – NBC Sports’ Gary Koch on Copperhead

“(Johnny) Miller is by far the most entertaining, controversial announcer in a sport that tends to steer clear of controversy in its broadcasts. He’s like a Howard Cosell of the country club set.” – St. Petersburg Times, 3-15-10

NEW YORK – Mar. 17, 2010 - Retief Goosen will attempt to defend his title against some of the best players in the world, including Sergio Garcia, Vijay Singh and Steve Stricker, at the Transitions Championship on the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort in Innisbrook, Fla. on NBC Sports this Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 p.m. ET.

Host Dan Hicks and analyst Johnny Miller, in their 11th season together as NBC’s lead golf team, will anchor the coverage from the 18th hole tower. They are joined by tower reporters Gary Koch, a Tampa native, and Mark Rolfing; course reporters Roger Maltbie and Dottie Pepper; and interviewer/essayist Jimmy Roberts.

KOCH: “Copperhead is a favorite of many of the players on the tour. It has a straight-forward, classic style. It’s a good old-fashioned golf course. It demands that a player do everything well.”

Ten of the top 20 players in the world will tee off at Transitions: Steve Stricker (No. 2), Ian Poulter (6), Jim Furyk (9), Padraig Harrington (10), Geoff Ogilvy (13), Kenny Perry (16), Sergio Garcia (17), Sean O’Hair (18), defending champion Retief Goosen (19) and Steward Cink (20).

KOCH: “This is as strong a field as any for this tournament in recent years. Steve Stricker is coming off a strong week and this course suits his game. It will be interesting to see how Padraig Harrington handles the week. He is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday at the White House. At this time of year, it’s important for players to continue to build on their previous performances particularly with the majors coming up.”

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ON JOHNNY MILLER (3-15-10): “Miller is by far the most entertaining, controversial announcer in a sport that tends to steer clear of controversy in its broadcasts. He’s like a Howard Cosell of the country club set.”

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: The Transitions Championship is the third of five consecutive weeks of NBC Sports’ PGA TOUR coverage. The first two events were the Honda Classic and the WGC-CA Championship. The remaining two events are the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard and the Shell Houston Open (all times ET):

Arnold Palmer Invitational – Orlando, Fla.
Saturday, March 27      2:30-6 p.m.
Sunday, March 28        2:30-6 p.m.

Shell Houston Open – Houston, Texas
Saturday, April 3       1-5 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 3-6 p.m.