Holly Sonders Leaves Golf Channel for Fox Sports

Holly Sonders joined Golf Channel in 2011 to help launch its live morning show, “Morning Drive.” Between then and now, she became very popular even expanding her portfolio to primetime in programs such as “School of Golf” and “Playing Lessons with the Pros.”

Her popularity grew to the point where she was on the cover of Golf Digest last year.

It appears that network executives like Sonders too. She is leaving Golf Channel for a position at Fox Sports. Her departure is effective immediately. Her last appearance on Morning Drive was earlier this week.

According to Marty Kaufmann at Golfweek, Sonders will become part of Fox’s golf team which is preparing to cover the 2015 U.S. Open and other USGA events. She will also become a sideline reporter for the NFL on Fox. Kaufmann reports that contract negotiations between Sonders and Golf Channel broke down and the two sides could not come to terms.

A Fox Sports spokesman would not comment to Awful Announcing on whether Sonders has been hired by the network.

Veteran golf reporter Geoff Shakelford writes Sonders wanted to be closer to her husband, Erik Kuselias who was once part of the Morning Drive cast, but was transferred to Connecticut by NBC Sports. Shakelford says Kuselias will be leaving NBCSN where he’s been hosting Pro Football Talk.

Golf Channel issued a terse statement on Sonders’ departure: “We wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

Having Sonders on Fox’s golf team will add some credibility among fans. She’ll also have the ability to spread her wings on the NFL.

There’s no word on who will replace her on Morning Drive.

[Golfweek/Geoff Shackelford/Golf Channel]