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USA Today
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Martin Hall not retiring after stepping away from 'School of Golf' on Golf Channel
Martin Hall not retiring after stepping away from 'School of Golf' on Golf Channel Show Caption Hide Caption Celebrities attending Tiger Woods TGL golf matches at SoFi Center While most fans attending TGL golf matches since January are ordinary people, there has been no lack of big-named celebrities at SoFi Center. Hall made the decision to leave the show after 15 years and 430 episodes, citing a desire to "have a little left in the tank." WEST PALM BEACH — It is late Friday morning and Martin Hall is in his happy place: the south range at The Club at Ibis. There are no cameras or producers around, no microphone clipped to his chest or IFB (audio receiver) in his ear, just the occasional sound of a ball being well struck by an Ibis member. Hall has settled into LAT – Life After TV – as easily as making a 2-foot putt. He's doing the same thing he did for 15 years and 430 shows as the face of instruction on Golf Channel's "School of Golf." Only now, it's to an audience of one, the Ibis member who is smiling after hitting her final drive straighter than a ruler. 'He's good!' she says. Hall smiles. If he misses being in front of a camera, he hides it well. Timing isn't just important with the golf swing, it's paramount to a successful life. Hall, who turns 70 this fall, insists he has no regrets after taping his last show that aired March 31 (his shows continue on replay on GolfPass). 'It was my decision for a variety of reasons,' he said. 'I was listening to Rory (McIlroy) being interviewed about when he was going to retire, and he said he wanted to have a little left in the tank. I remember my mom telling me, there's nothing worse than seeing a singer stay too long when they can't sing. There was a little voice in me that said this was the right time to hang it up.' More: Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy TGL golf league announces first expansion team - for 2027 Hall is not retiring. He still gives lessons four or five days a week at Ibis, where he has taught since 1997. But that seems like a part-time job after he started hosting the popular Golf Channel show in 2011. Playing golf at a high level is one of the most difficult tasks in sports; you can win a trophy one week and be humbled the next. Teaching golf in front of close to 1 million discerning viewers around the world is perhaps even more difficult. 'People ask me how many shows do I tape a day … four, five, six?' Hall says. 'They don't understand TV at all. I would say on average it takes me about 20 hours to prepare for a 30-minute show when you add up all the time I take to write it, prepare for it, talk to producers, get stuff ready. 'They say, 'Well, you made it look so easy, so natural.' There's nothing easy about it. You've got five cameras, you've got an earpiece, and you've got to look at this camera, then that camera, now 'Turn over here, two steps left, Martin.' It's very difficult, but I loved it.' More: IN HONOR OF MOM: Bella Cecere dedicates her life to late mother Kristin Hoke Martin Hall wanted to play golf professionally Teaching golf was never the plan for the England native and Palm City resident. He became a professional golfer after high school and played on the DP World Tour for a couple of years. In 1977, he had to go to Q-School to keep his card, but failed to advance after missing a 4-foot putt on the final hole. 'It turned out to be a very good 4-foot putt to miss,' he said. Hall started teaching in England before moving to the U.S. in 1985. One of his first jobs was teaching at St. Andrew's in Boca Raton, where he worked with famed instructors Bob Toski, Peter Kostis and Jim Flick. That led to him working for a golf academy run by Jack Nicklaus and Flick, known as the Nicklaus-Flick Golf Schools. When the company went public, Hall started teaching privately. In 1997, Hall was hired at Ibis by former head professional Steve Philbrook. Almost three decades later, Hall is still at Ibis – he's the director of instruction. 'It's been a great fit for me at Ibis,' Hall said. 'Not that I think I'm particularly clever, but I knew it was the right time to leave (Nicklaus-Flick).' Hall's big break, to coin a Golf Channel term, came in 2011 when he won a national talent search to host the network's weekly instruction show. His easy personality, English accent, knowledge of the swing and love of unusual training tools – some call them gadgets – quickly earned him high marks on TV. There were some early anxious moments, such as when he learned he was taping two shows on the same day alongside Tom Watson and Sir Nick Faldo. Hall felt like a high handicapper hitting balls next to Tiger Woods. 'I was so nervous because we're talking about two Hall of Famers,' Hall said. 'I told (wife) Lisa as we were driving to Orlando to turn the car around because I didn't think I could do this. But when I got there, I was fine. They were great to work with.' That was 14 years ago. Things soon changed after Hall became ubiquitous with his weekly prime-time show and unique drills. Some of the world's best golfers were in awe to see him. 'I think the first time I saw Shane Lowry, he nearly fainted,' said Hall, with a chuckle, of the native of Ireland who now lives in Jupiter. "I was coming out of the Bear's Club, and he was going in. When you've done this as long as I have, you can tell when people recognize you. Shane jumped out of his skin.' Such are the perks of being on TV for 430 shows. Hall insists he never got into teaching for fortune or fame – good thing, because most instructors toil quietly – but it was his curiosity of solving the Rubik's Cube that is the golf swing. 'I don't think of myself as a legend at all,' Hall said. 'I'm someone who just loved, loved golf. Never quite played at the level I wanted to but love trying to discover what makes golf swings tick.' Golf Channel's loss has been Ibis' gain. He still arrives before dawn on most days, eager to solve a 20-handicapper's slice, without the constant stress of coming up with a different show next week. Morgan Pressel, Karrie Webb, Lexi Thompson among those he helped For the most part, he eschewed working with touring pros – though he helped LPGA major champions Morgan Pressel, Karrie Webb and Lexi Thompson – because he didn't want to travel more than he did. In addition to private lessons, Hall conducts a half-dozen clinics for Ibis' membership, sometimes with special guests such as Annika Sorenstam when the club started using TopTracer technology on its range. 'Martin knows how to adapt to that individual,' said Robin Boretti, Ibis' director of golf, who has worked with Hall since his arrival at the club. 'He can make you laugh during a lesson. He can make you serious during a lesson. He knows his stuff. He can change your ball flight in seconds. 'What's great about Martin is he's always giving back to the members as well as our other instructors. I don't think there's any doubt he has helped us put together the best instructional team in South Florida. Sometimes, I don't think our membership knows how lucky they are to have Martin here.' His wife, Lisa, knows how much effort he puts into each lesson, especially when he was on Golf Channel. She has been among those making those last-minute drives to Home Depot to pick up a 2-by-4 for his latest prop. 'Martin never takes any shortcuts, which to me stands out more than anything,' said Lisa, who was the 1997 LPGA Rookie of the Year and played on two European Solheim Cup teams. 'He always wants to do his best. There has been relief now that the TV pressure has been taken off. There's a sense of freedom and space and time.' Hall isn't about to use his extra time these days to play much golf. He says he plays maybe 18 holes every two weeks, keeping his handicap in the 2-to-4 range. 'I'd rather go for a walk on the beach and have ice cream,' he said. Like all good instructors, Hall has used ever-improving technology to assist with his teaching. He points out technology is important – if it's used properly. He didn't need a computer to tell him it was time to slow down. His body and mind have been telling him that for a while. 'I feel like I've been going down the river in a speed boat at 100 miles an hour,' he said. 'I'd like to swap it for a canoe and a paddle.' Five Questions with Martin Hall Here are five questions we asked longtime Golf Channel teacher Martin Hall, the director of instruction at The Club at Ibis in West Palm Beach: Question: You hosted 430 shows on Golf Channel. That's a lot of shows. How did you keep them fresh and unique? Answer. Putting a show together that's interesting, compelling, and somehow putting a bit of a slant on it that's a little unusual, a little different, without being ridiculous. It's hard to do, and it I mean, and it got harder at the end as well because my producer kept saying, "I want a drill that no one's ever seen before.' How much joy does it bring you when you see one of your students play better and the enjoyment they have? I don't take any responsibility for how well people play. That's on them, right? I take responsibility, particularly if they're good players, to make sure they have the right message and they have the right tools to do better, but they have to put some of the work in. They have to do some of the push-ups, right? You didn't plan on becoming an instructor. What was it like when you started teaching? I had no idea what I was teaching when it first came off. It really depended on what was on the cover of Golf Digest that month, because that was what I taught for a month until the next Golf Digest came along. If you could take a lesson from anyone, who would it be? I would want to take one from Tiger (Woods). I know Rory (McIlroy) well. I have a really good idea of what Rory would say to any question I would ask him about his golf swing. But Tiger, I'm not. He doesn't give it up as much as Rory does. That's just the difference between them.' What are your thoughts on technology with instruction and how much did you embrace it? I think technology is a good thing for golf, but you have to understand what you're using. I've got five computers running this morning. You have to understand the strengths and weaknesses of every system. They're not perfect. Once you've got a few miles under your belt with technology, it's fantastic. I wouldn't want to teach without it. I'm a far better teacher because of technology than without it.
National Post
08-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
LAT Multilingual Appoints Julie Wong-Gravend as President
Article content VANCOUVER, British Columbia — LAT Multilingual Translation & Marketing Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Wong-Gravend as President, effective immediately. She succeeds Lise Alain, who is retiring after a storied career as Founder and President. Alain will continue to support the company in an advisory role. Article content Article content 'Julie has been a driving force at LAT for nearly a decade,' said Lise Alain. 'Her deep industry knowledge, strategic vision, and dedication to our mission make her the ideal leader to guide LAT into the future. I have every confidence in her ability to continue growing the company with purpose and passion.' Article content Over the years, Wong-Gravend has built strong, trusted relationships with clients across a wide range of industries, contributing significantly to LAT's growth while fostering an inclusive and collaborative team culture. Article content 'I'm honoured and excited to take on this role,' said Wong-Gravend. 'For 26 years, LAT has empowered businesses to thrive in multilingual markets. I'm proud to continue that legacy with our incredible team, and to help our clients connect with diverse communities in ways that are both meaningful and impactful.' Article content In her previous role as Vice President, Wong-Gravend oversaw LAT's translation team and played a key part in the company's strategic evolution. As a certified member of OTTIAQ, Quebec's professional association of translators, she also led the successful delivery of high-impact marketing adaptation and transcreation projects. Article content Founded in 1999, LAT Multilingual is a women-owned, ISO-certified, and B Corp-certified company specializing in translation, cultural adaptation, and multicultural marketing. With offices in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto, LAT helps organizations of all sizes connect authentically with diverse audiences across North America. By combining linguistic expertise with culturally informed strategies, LAT delivers trusted quality, meaningful results, and a commitment to ethical, inclusive business practices. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contact: Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
LAT Multilingual Appoints Julie Wong-Gravend as President
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- LAT Multilingual Translation & Marketing Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Wong-Gravend as President, effective immediately. She succeeds Lise Alain, who is retiring after a storied career as Founder and President. Alain will continue to support the company in an advisory role. 'Julie has been a driving force at LAT for nearly a decade,' said Lise Alain. 'Her deep industry knowledge, strategic vision, and dedication to our mission make her the ideal leader to guide LAT into the future. I have every confidence in her ability to continue growing the company with purpose and passion.' Over the years, Wong-Gravend has built strong, trusted relationships with clients across a wide range of industries, contributing significantly to LAT's growth while fostering an inclusive and collaborative team culture. 'I'm honoured and excited to take on this role,' said Wong-Gravend. 'For 26 years, LAT has empowered businesses to thrive in multilingual markets. I'm proud to continue that legacy with our incredible team, and to help our clients connect with diverse communities in ways that are both meaningful and impactful.' In her previous role as Vice President, Wong-Gravend oversaw LAT's translation team and played a key part in the company's strategic evolution. As a certified member of OTTIAQ, Quebec's professional association of translators, she also led the successful delivery of high-impact marketing adaptation and transcreation projects. About LAT Multilingual Founded in 1999, LAT Multilingual is a women-owned, ISO-certified, and B Corp-certified company specializing in translation, cultural adaptation, and multicultural marketing. With offices in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto, LAT helps organizations of all sizes connect authentically with diverse audiences across North America. By combining linguistic expertise with culturally informed strategies, LAT delivers trusted quality, meaningful results, and a commitment to ethical, inclusive business practices.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LA Times Embraces AI to Give ‘Political Rating' to Opinion Stories
The Los Angeles Times will be using a new artificial intelligence tool to give a 'political rating' to its opinion stories and other articles, owner Patrick Soon-Shiong announced on Monday. LAT's new AI feature, dubbed Insights, will show readers where a story falls on the political spectrum; there will be five options: Left, Center Left, Center, Center Right, or Right. Beyond opinion stories, Insights will also grade Times' 'Voices' stories, which include news commentary, reviews and criticism. 'The purpose of Insights is to offer readers an instantly accessible way to see a wide range of different AI-enabled perspectives alongside the positions presented in the article,' Soon-Shiong said. 'I believe providing more varied viewpoints supports our journalistic mission and will help readers navigate the issues facing this nation.' Insights' political grades will be generated in partnership with a Bay Area-based AI company. The LA Times will also be using Perplexity AI to 'identify the ideas expressed in a Voices article,' as well as share links to additional sources. For stories with a certain political viewpoint, Insights will offer readers links to sources with different views, the newspaper said on the technology's explainer page. The AI grades and insights will not be reviewed by journalists before they are published. Reader feedback will be incorporated to produce 'better, more accurate results over time,' LAT added. Insights is the latest change to hit the LA Times in recent months. Notably, Soon-Shiong nixed the editorial board's planned endorsement of Kamala Harris last year — a move that led to several staffers quitting. One editorial writer who quit even called him a 'chickens—t' who threw the editorial team 'under the bus.' In January, Soon-Shiong said it has been a 'struggle' to get his newsroom to buy into a more balanced ideological approach, following the canceled Harris endorsement. 'Change is difficult, right? I respect that, and I have empathy for that,' the billionaire told Fox News Digital earlier this year. Last week, more than 40 newsroom employees at the LA Times took buyout offers. Moving forward, the Times is not the only major paper leveraging AI. The New York Times recently announced that its own AI tool, named Echo, will be used to summarize articles. NYT staffers are also being trained on how to use AI to edit their work and suggest catchy headlines and social media posts. The post LA Times Embraces AI to Give 'Political Rating' to Opinion Stories appeared first on TheWrap.
