# The Golf Channel Origin Story: Del Wood on Arnold Palmer & The Network That Changed Sports Media

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-cart-barn-podcast-7010889/the-golf-channel-origin-story-del-wood-on-arnold-palmer-the-network-that-changed-sports-media
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-cart-barn-podcast-7010889/the-golf-channel-origin-story-del-wood-on-arnold-palmer-the-network-that-changed-sports-media.md
Podcast: [The Cart Barn Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-cart-barn-podcast-7010889)
Published: 2026-03-04T05:59:00+00:00
Episode link: https://cartbarnpodcast.com/episodes/the-golf-channel-origin-story-del-woods-on-arnold-palmer-the-network-that-changed-sports-media
Audio file: https://op3.dev/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.transistor.fm/ec54cd1d/d69cc031.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-cart-barn-podcast-7010889/episodes/the-golf-channel-origin-story-del-wood-on-arnold-palmer-the-network-that-changed-sports-media
Duration seconds: 2520

## Resource

The Golf Channel was founded in Birmingham, Alabama — and nearly collapsed before it ever became profitable. In this episode, Del Woods, founding CFO of The Golf Channel, shares the inside story of building the first 24-hour golf network, bringing Arnold Palmer into the deal, raising startup capital, and surviving the financial pressure that nearly ended the company. You’ll hear: • How the idea for a 24-hour golf network began • How Arnold Palmer became involved • The capital raise that made it possible • The near-bankruptcy moment in 1996 • What it was like playing Bay Hill during that stretch This is a golf history episode — and a sports media startup story. Follow the Cart Barn Podcast for more conversations documenting Alabama’s impact on the game of golf. Golf Channel history Arnold Palmer Sports business Golf media Sports television Media startup Birmingham Alabama Golf history Bay Hill

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## Transcript

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