Here is the bottom line...
If the gurus at The Golf Channel do not think a show on golf courses, architecture, architects would work, then their idea of how to do it is FUBAR'd. It would work, much better than many of their shows...which are so bad that my viewership of the channel is WAY down...and I am an off the hook golf addict, like many of you on this site.
Any golf addict needs to be their target market. Some are addicted to improving their game, they've got all the "how to" shows lined up already. Some are addicted to the professional tours, The Golf Channel's got this coverage soup to nuts. Some are addicted to the history of the game, this is lacking at The Golf Channel. Some are addicted to the golf courses, this is why there are Top 100 lists and this is why people travel far and wide to play so many different courses...not just architecture junkies. Like the history ascpect, this is lacking. A show could tie in the last two concepts that are lacking at The Golf Channel.
Furthermore, if people don't think golfers care about architecture...they are flat out wrong. They may not realize they care about architecture and if you couch it as architecture, you may lose them. But I am always pleasantly surprised every time I play with a low handicap player at how they pick up on architectural concepts and designs while playing. Ridges in greens, attack angles, risk/reward decisions...perhaps this is inherent in becoming a good player.
So, could you do a show on golf architecture but couch it as a show on "golf course management". Absolutely. Demonstrate how knowing subtle features, and some not so subtle features, affect your score and people should watch. Pick a certain course to do the show at each and every time. TPC Sawgrass (people seem to already be aware of at least one of this courses' holes' architectural features), #2, Bandon Dunes resort courses, perhaps the week of the majors do one at Olympic, Kiawah, Lytham and St. Anne's, and Augusta. People will watch and sponsors will be there...if not the course themselves certainly the regular sponsors. Get eyeballs on the show and sponsors will follow.
And if you've got eyeballs on this show, follow each "course management" show with a show on the architect itself. Follow theTPC Sawgrass episode with a show on Pete and Alice Dye. Follow #2 with one on Ross. Bandon with Keiser, Doak, Kidd, C&C. Etc, etc, etc.
Again, it would work. Sponsors will be there. The Golf Channel will pull in two more segments of their target market that they are neglecting and if "sold" correctly still maintain the segments of the target market that they already have.
And if the status quo lovers and/or the negative nellies want to continually say that a Golf Channel guy already said this won't work, fine. But it will, if done right. I want to see it...I want to see The Golf Channel improve...and/or competition enter the market place to see better golf-centric television...so here are some of my ideas.