For a woman as accomplished as Ann Liguori, interview questions come easily. More than having a fascinating perspective and life experiences, Ann is so easy to talk to. And she is a radio icon, but I am remiss not to mention her made-for-TV smile or timeless style.
Like so many others over her remarkable career, I first heard Ann on the Radio through WLIW-88.3 FM (“Long Island’s Only NPR Station”) during her weekly “Sports Innerview” radio show on Saturday mornings or her award-winning ‘Talking Golf’ show Sunday mornings on WFAN-NY and Audacy, and before that, the ‘Hey Liguori, What’s the Story’ show that aired for 25 years on WFAN. Ann is also the President of Ann Liguori Productions and the Founder of the Ann Liguori Foundation, is which she hosts an annual charity golf tourney each year in The Hamptons to raise money for cancer research. Ann is a Global Ambassador for IBKUL Athleisure wear, often sporting the stylish line at her book signings and many public appearances.
As a writer (albeit not nearly as accomplished as Ann), I have tremendous respect for her effort and integrity in moving beyond “stock answers or greying anecdotes.” Liguori does not shy away from the real questions and her interviews are genuine sports journalism in its purest form.
I met Ann in Bridgehampton this Summer for a meet-and-greet, author signing event at Barnes & Noble for her new book, “Life on the Green – Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf.” Forwarded by Jim Nantz, from cover to cover, LIFE ON THE GREEN curates insights and life lessons from some of the most compelling characters and champions in the Gold world. Unfiltered and topical, Liguori’s conversations relate how these esteemed competitors and gallery favorites have navigated their lives on and off the course.
Conversations include Tom Watson, Bernhard Langer, Nancy Lopez, Dottie Pepper, Amy Alcott, Gary Player, Ben Crenshaw, Jan Stephenson, Padraig Harrington, Annika Sorenstam, Renee Powell and Jack Nicklaus, and more.
Don’t take my word for it, listen to what Jim Nantz says about Ann Liguori and her new book, “Her reservoir of superstar guests through the years would make Jimmy Kimmel envious….You are about to embark on a journey that will inform and enlighten you…It will be storytelling at its best—unfiltered and fresh…You will be inspired by the life lessons that the greatest names in golf share — wisdom that we all can embrace for a lifetime of success and happiness.” That is one heck of an endorsement.
In a world before influencers, Ann Liguori’s impact on the sports broadcasting world is pronounced, and, highlighted by her journalistic integrity, Liguori has uncovered intriguing stories, unearthed revelations, and life wisdom that will inspire all.
You are a legendary sports interviewer – can you share any tips for a young, up-and-coming writer who is interviewing a legend in their field?
Do as much research on the person you’re interviewing as you can; come up with original questions; listen to what the person is saying and react and follow up to the person’s answers; turn the interview into a compelling conversation. Don’t have an agenda. Let the person speak. Be a good listener!
Your new book focuses on lessons learned on the golf course. What can a golf enthusiast expect to learn? What about those of us (gasp) who are not as well-versed on the links?
My new book, ‘Life on the Green, Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf,’ appeals to golfers and non-golfers alike. Business leaders, athletes, men and women, young and old, will be inspired by the 12 golf legends in the book, 6 men and 6 women, who share life wisdom they’ve learned from their iconic golf careers, wisdom they use in their day-to-day lives. The book features each legend sharing their success story and lessons we all can use to better our lives. A few of the themes include:
- Gary Player encourages the pursuit of passion above all else.
- Nancy Lopez emphasizes the power of positivity.
- Dottie Pepper’s success in golf and life hinges on meticulous preparation.
- Annika Sorenstam underscores the importance of patience, both on and off the course, and the fact that there are no shortcuts to success.
- Ben Crenshaw discusses the critical value of treating people with respect.
- Tom Watson encourages learning from the best, connecting with strong mentors.
- Padraig Harrington reveals that having fear, not just nerves, is normal, and encourages all to embrace fear.
I am a strong supporter of puns, and your “Sports Innerview” is a great one! Tell us about what the name, and its spelling mean.
I always strive to get the ‘Innerview’ from my ‘interviews’ with guests on both my radio and cable series. So I created the show name years ago for my ‘Sports Innerview’ cable series in which I interviewed the top legends in sports and still license those shows and archives. And I also use the name ‘Sports Innerview’ for my weekly radio show on WLIW 88.3 FM that airs Saturday mornings, 7-8 AM and is distributed on my podcast via audioboom. The name is fitting for my style of shows.
What was Patty Berg like?
Wow, Patty Berg! Of the hundreds of sports legends I’ve interviewed, I’m impressed you asked me about her. She was a founding member of the LPGA and the first President of the LPGA. I interviewed her a few years before she passed in 2006 at the age of 88. She was delightful to talk to and shared a wealth of information about the LPGA in its formative years, and how difficult it was to get the Tour going as the 13 Founders of the LPGA did everything – organized the tournaments, raised the prize money, sold the tickets, promoted and ran the events! Patty was a superstar, a renaissance woman. She won 29 amateur titles, 15 Major titles, volunteered and served in the US Marine Corps from 1942-45, and despite a head-on car crash that shattered her knee, she went on to win tournaments and do amazing things.
Obviously, we’re all excited about the LPGA and PGA Tours coming to Shinnecock again; what makes the Hamptons so great for the event?
There are many passionate and knowledgeable golfers out here on the East End. Many of the top golf courses in the country are right out here on the East End. It’s a golfer’s paradise. The U.S. Open is returning to Shinnecock in 2026 and then ten years later, Shinnecock will host both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women’s Open in back-to-back weeks. Shinnecock has such a rich history in golf as the oldest incorporated golf club and was one of the five founding member clubs of the USGA. The club allowed female members since its inception in 1891, hosting the 1900 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The Clubhouse, built in 1892, is spectacular. Everything about Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is special. There is so much history at Shinnecock and the entire world will be tuning in for the 2026 U.S. Open. I’ve covered the previous four U.S. Opens at Shinnecock in 1986, 1995, 2004, and 2018. New Yorkers and golfers, everywhere, appreciate this historic and prestigious venue. What makes the Hamptons so great for the event is its appreciation and respect for Shinnecock and its place in golf and sports history.
Sports reveal so much about who we are off the field/court. What lessons have you learned through sports in your life?
Sports has taught me so much. From my earliest days competing in tennis, volleyball, softball, basketball, kickball, running track, earning 16 Varsity letters in high school (competing on both the girl’s track team and playing on the boy’s tennis team because there was no girls’ team at the time in my high school), sports has taught me how to win, how to lose, sportsmanship, how to organize, time management, how to deal with adversity, how to interact with people, how to train, prepare, work ethic, how to compete – so much! I would not be who I am if I did not grow up as an athlete. Sports teaches lessons you can use for a lifetime – on and off the field, course, court. You learn so many life skills by competing in sports.
How long have you been coming to the Hamptons, and what do you like to do when you’re out in the East?
I’ve lived out here since the nineties. I enjoy golfing, boating, biking, running with our golden retriever, Gus, taking in the scenic beauty, on land and on the waterways, the country roads, enjoying the quaint villages and incredible restaurants and marinas. It is an amazing place to live. Let’s keep it clean and beautiful!
Who were your mentors when breaking into the male-dominated world of sports broadcasting?
I credit former Olympic swimmer and ABC Sports commentator Donna deVarona for opening a door for me at ABC Radio Sports Network where I was a freelance producer, produced Howard Cosell’s commentary, and covered every team in New York, doing reports from the games and sending in interviews. This helped lead to my work at WFAN-NY, where I became the first woman to host a call-in sports talk show on the first all-sports radio station, where I hosted ‘Hey Liguori, What’s the Story,’ for 25 years. When I started my own Sports Innerview cable series, which aired for 17 years on sports cable networks throughout the country, Loretta Volpe, a VP at an advertising agency, supported my entrepreneurial work by helping me secure Sharp Electronics as my title sponsor for many years. I hosted the series, booked the guests, and brought in my own sponsors. Loretta was ahead of her time, and was in a position, rare for women in the eighties and nineties, who could truly help other women.
How do you make your interviewees feel comfortable to speak freely?
I’m genuinely interested in the person I am talking with and that comes across. Again, it’s doing your research on the guest prior to the interview, making it conversational, being authentic and having fun! And listening is key, and then responding to what your guest is saying and then digging deeper, if you think there is more the guest may share.
What are your thoughts on sports podcasts? Every athlete has one these days.
There are so many podcasts now, the marketplace is overloaded! Who has the time to listen? It’s best to choose the podcasts that have the most interesting and accurate content. Accuracy is key. I’m not interested in opinions that are not backed up by facts. Become a discerning listener!
What are you most excited about in the media landscape in 2024?
I’m excited about my book, ‘Life on the Green, Lessons and Wisdom from Legends of Golf,’ and continuing to promote the positive and uplifting messages in the book, for all. It makes for a great Holiday gift! I’m excited to continue hosting shows and interviewing extraordinary people. I’m excited to do a lot of traveling and playing golf courses in various parts of the world. As far as the media landscape, overall, just the facts, folks! The media has become so divisive. I wish the media would go back to solid, accurate reporting and journalism, and that our society, on both sides of the spectrum, would work together for the good of everyone. I’m an idealist, I know.
