Trailblazer. Pioneer. Icon. All of those and more can be used to describe the one and only Ann Liguori, a sports talk show host, personality, and author, who was the first female to host her own call-in sports talk show on WFAN-NY. In her storied career she has covered many of the most important events in sports, including the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the Olympics. Liguori’s lifelong passion for the game of golf shines bright in her new book Life on the Green, Lessons and Wisdoms from Legends of Golf, in which she interviews twelve golf legends who share their stories and wisdom. Somehow, in the middle of the always crowded sports calendar, Liguori also finds time to raise money for cancer prevention and cancer care with her star-studded Ann Liguori Foundation Charity Golf Classic, held in the Hamptons every year. The Overhead Compartment was excited and honored to hit the links with Liguori to find out about her new book and the latest goings on in her busy sports life.
The Overhead Compartment with Ann Liguori starts now…..
OC: Your new book Life On The Green is filled with golf legends sharing lessons and wisdom from their experiences. What is the most important lesson you hope readers will learn?
AL: I interviewed 12 legends of golf, 6 men and 6 women, all Hall of Famers, sharing life lessons they learned from their iconic golf careers that they use in their day to day lives. Golf teaches so many life skills. Each legend shares incredible insight into their secrets to success and their own stories of learning and excelling. Some of the most important lessons in the book include Gary Player encouraging all of us to pursue our passion. We work so hard, we might as well love what we do! Annika Sorenstam shares the importance of having patience, on and off the course; Nancy Lopez talks about staying positive through the ups and downs of golf and in life; Padraig Harrington reveals that he has fear every time he tees it up and he talk about embracing that fear; Jack Nicklaus talks about integrity and sportsmanship; to name a few themes. The book is rich in inspirational content with compelling stories from each legend.
OC: As one of the original sports talk show hosts on WFAN-NY, the first all sports radio station, what advice would you give to someone just starting out?
AL: One’s work ethic is key. As Annika Sorenstam reminds us in her chapter in the book, there are no shortcuts to success. Preparation is imperative, as Dottie Pepper talks about in her chapter. For anyone just starting out in the business and throughout one’s career, you must put in the work, do your research, be prepared. The work will eventually pay off. I push myself every day and I’ve been hosting shows and writing for a while now. You’re only as good as your last project so set your standards high, set goals, as Jan Stephenson advises, and work hard! Practice, Practice, Practice!!!
OC: How have you seen the industry change for women since you started?
AL: There are a lot more opportunities for women in sports media now than when I first started in the eighties. That’s a good thing! But we as women can’t take those opportunities for granted. We must be professional and work hard and continue to shine. And I hope young women appreciate the women before them who battled through the challenges to help open up doors for future generations.
OC: Over the hundreds of celebrity interviews you have done, which was the most memorable?
AL: I’ve interviewed hundreds of sports legends and dozens of Hollywood and musical stars. Sports wise, I always point to my TV interviews with the great Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams. I was in my twenties interviewing these icons in sports – Wilt Chamberlain, Jim Brown, Bart Starr, Gordie Howe – all much older and looking back on their incredible sport’s careers and so eager and willing to share their amazing stories! Mantle was such a sports icon and Ted Williams rarely did interviews. He was ailing at the time but made time for me and what a baseball genius he was! Two unforgettable guests for sure! Celebrity – wise, I enjoyed spending the day with Celine Dion and her husband/manager Rene Angelil. They bought a golf club in Montreal years ago so they would not have to wait for tee times! She has a very nice golf swing and was so friendly and willing to share so many wonderful stories about her career and life, while we played golf with the cameras rolling. And spending the day golfing and interviewing Matthew McConaughey was tough, but someone had to do it!
OC: What is the hardest thing about interviewing famous people?
AL: Once I am able to sit down or play golf with a famous person, it’s the easy part. The most difficult aspect of interviewing famous people is actually getting the interview itself! Agents, often times, are not too helpful. I often rely on friends and other contacts who have an ‘in’ with the A List star to get the interview and the time I need for the shows. It takes years of networking and having great contacts to book the A List stars and I’m proud of my guests lists in both radio and television through the years.
OC: What’s the most exciting place work has taken you?
AL: I travel the world talking about golf and other sports. I’ve covered 6 Olympics from Nagano, Japan to Lillehammer, Norway. I love playing golf in Ireland and Northern Ireland and in Scotland. I’ve golfed in South Africa and went on safaris and visited their wine country. I’ve enjoyed golf trips from The Azores and Portugal to Morrocco, Italy, France, and Spain, and most of the top courses in the U.S. I live on the East End of Long Island, minutes away from some of the top courses in the country. Each day is exciting. Each course, a new adventure. I love to travel and learn about the country through the people, the food, and their golf courses! So it’s tough to pinpoint the most exciting place that work has taken me. The adventure continues and I love every minute of it and each destination is special in its own way!
OC: Top five favorite golf courses?
AL: My favorite golf destination is Ireland. Just when you think you’ve played the most scenic links course on the planet, drive 20 minutes down the road in the Emerald Isle and you play another course, equally beautiful and inspiring. I love the NW and SW regions of Ireland but truly the entire country is magnificent. The people are so very hospitable and one third of the world’s links courses are in Ireland. Links courses like Enniscrone, Carne, Donegal in the NW and Trump International Doonbeg, Lahinch, Tralee, Old Head, in the SW are so much fun. Adare Manor near Limerick, hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027 and Ashford Castle near Galway and Mt Falcon in the NW are a few of my favorite places to stay and/or play golf in Ireland.
OC: First thing you do when arriving at a hotel:
AL: After I check out the view from the room, I usually have a tee time, so I change into my golf clothes (IBKUL Athleisure wear as their Global Ambassador), and grab my clubs and hit the links!
Ann Liguori, please use care upon departure as items may have shifted in The Overhead Compartment during our journey. Thanks for choosing us for your travel tips! Have a wonderful day!
