Rich Lerner
host.
reporter.
storyteller.
“Rich transformed our event at Oak Hill into a special memory and a page in Oak Hill’s history. He is a fascinating, charismatic, entertaining individual who after meeting for a short period of time you feel like you have known for years.”
Jim McKenna
President, Oak Hill Country Club
The longtime Golf Channel host and
essayist has carved out a reputation as one of the sport's best storytellers. In person, he really cuts it loose. As the keynote speaker for your member-guest, annual dinner, special event, club championship, or just a steak and cigar night, Rich can truly make your next event unforgettable.
“Rich did a wonderful job at our event! His comments and funny stories about kids and golf were so appropriate for a First Tee crowd, and his fireside chat with Bernhard Langer, Peter Jacobsen, and Jeff Maggert was a huge hit. Thanks Rich!"
Ann Bain, Chair of the First Tee Naples/Collier "Swing Fore The Future" Gala, 02.13.23
testimonials.
“Rich has spoken for us on numerous occasions and has always been a hit with our guests! His humor in storytelling combined with incredible golf knowledge and willingness to field the wildest questions has made him a favorite for us.”
Ed Jessie, Vice President, Sales International Sports Management
“I’ve never hosted a speaker as entertaining and knowledgeable in his field as Rich Lerner.”
Josh King, V.P. Communications International
Exchange Wall Street
“Rich’s warmth, sense of humor, and master storyteller’s eye for delicious detail will leave an audience with a deeper appreciation for the game they love. I’ve seen Rich three times at the same club and can’t wait for next year.”
Jim Axelrod, Senior National Correspondent for
CBS News and a golf lover.
“Rich’s stories, unbridled honesty, hilarious accounts starring legends and young guns add up for
a much more entertaining evening than
the Tour players we’ve brought in.”
Chris Lenzeny, Vice President at Merrill Lynch.
“Rich Lerner combines the professionalism of what you want in a broadcaster and the humor in what you need in a stand-up comedian. He’s a talented writer, a hilarious storyteller and leaves everyone wanting more.”
Peter Jacobsen,
NBC Sports Commentator and Professional Golfer
“We are so grateful that Rich Lerner agreed to be our guest speaker for the 56th Annual John R. Williams Invitational. His experiences, candor, and humor were refreshing when discussing the greatest game and golfers in the world. His stories had our members and guests both crying and
laughing at the same time!”
Jason Ballard
Head Golf Professional, Oak Hill Country Club
I can't begin to tell you how much everyone loved Rich's talk. He was fantastic.
Paul Kenny, Head Professional, Rockrimmon Country Club, Stamford, CT
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about rich.
Rich Lerner grew to love the game of golf at his father’s driving range in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He grew to love broadcasting while announcing Whiffle Ball games with his three brothers in his backyard, and later Temple basketball from the fabled Palestra for WRTI.
For the better part of the last two decades, he’s combined his two passions at Golf Channel.
Lerner’s earned a reputation as one of sports television’s premier storytellers. His unique essays punctuate the network’s coverage of golf’s major championships as well as The Ryder Cup. Acclaimed golf author Lorne Rubenstein called Lerner “an essayist of distinction.”
Through the years, he’s written and reported a number of documentaries, including Tiger Woods: Millennium Man, New York Stories – a poignant account of five golfers impacted by the tragedy on 9-11 – and Se Ri Pak: A Champion’s Journey, for which Lerner was awarded The Women’s Sports Foundation Journalism Award. More recently, he co-produced and wrote two Golf Channel films, Summer of ‘76 and Go Down Swinging.
Lerner also serves as the lead anchor for Golf Channel’s Live From shows at the game’s biggest events like The Masters and U.S. Open, writing and delivering the opening teases in addition to his closing essays. And, he handles play-by-play for PGA TOUR, traveling from Pebble Beach to Kuala Lumpur and parts in between.
In February 2018, Lerner worked as a feature story reporter on NBC’s coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. In 2024, Rich served as the live play-by-play broadcaster for NBC's coverage of Gymnastics at the Paris Summer Olympics.
Rich is a recipient of the prestigious Lew Klein Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from his alma mater, Temple University. He’s also been honored with The Women’s Sports Foundation Journalism Award.
Rich and his wife of over 30 years, Robin, live in Connecticut not far from Golf Channel’s headquarters. They have two sons, Jesse and Jack.
For almost 20 years, through their Elijah Ross Foundation, Robin and Rich hosted a charity pro-am golf tournament in Orlando, The December Classic, benefitting the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.