Duramed FUTURES Tour Blogs

Perry SwensonTour Member Kicks Off New Show on The Golf Channel

Perry Swenson is co-star of new 12-episode show on The Golf Channel, which airs each Tuesday night and premieres on Feb. 5. Read her blog about the show.

By Perry Swenson

I’ve never been so nervous driving a car, as I was when I drove down Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach in our red 1962 Cadillac convertible. I could barely see over the steering wheel. My jittery nerves didn’t come from the road in front of me, however, but from the camera man sitting next to me in the passenger seat, and the camera man sitting in the back seat of the car, filming my every move!

Golf and music have always been my two biggest passions in life and I was given the incredible opportunity to express both of them at the same time while filming our new television series “Road Trip: Myrtle Beach!” With a total of 12 episodes, the first four episodes are scheduled to start airing prime time on the Golf Channel, starting February 5 at 7:30 p.m. (EST).

The show, “Road Trip,” takes place in the “Golf Capital of the World” -- Myrtle Beach, S.C. It involves four friends discovering everything the 60-mile “Grand Strand” has to offer, like having fun on some incredible golf courses, showcasing some of the local restaurants and live-music dives in town that complete a perfect vacation. And, when our foursome gets together anything is bound to happen!

My three co-stars make it really easy on me, as each of them has a unique and individual character that adds to the excitement of the show. Charlie Rymer is an established PGA Tour Player and ESPN TV personality. To me, Charlie is the “fun dad” of the group! He has become a great mentor to me. He is always funny and light-hearted, and has given me some great advice about playing professional golf. Mark Bryan, the lead guitarist from Hootie & the Blowfish, became my “partner in crime” when it came to ganging up against the other two. Mark is a curly haired goofball, always cracking jokes, and pretty much acted my age most of time. I give him a hard time, reminding him of his age, because one of their first hit songs was the favorite song of my sixth-grade boyfriend and mine. Josh Kelley, an established solo artist, could possibly start a second career as a professional golfer or trick shot artist. At one point in the show, I refer to him as “Caveman” because he finds a huge stick in the woods to tee his ball up on and hit his drive at least 300 yards down the middle -- not to mention, his caveman-like beard, that (unfortunately) was recently shaven off for his wedding. Josh is crazy and “all over the map” with his movie impersonations and chain-wallet. I was never sure what stunt he was going to pull next. Then there is me. I am the lone woman stuck in the “boys’ club!” I just try to keep them all in line and, of course, every good TV show needs a blonde!

Our producer, Mickey Holden, and our director, Tim Johnson, were so much fun to work with. They were full of continuous encouragement, which only helped fuel the laughter and excitement. They were both fun to work with and when they said “Cameras rolling!” we were really just able to be ourselves instead of acting. The best part of all was getting to hear Josh and Mark’s music! They are really talented musicians and now, I am their biggest fan.

Be sure to check out “Road Trip: Myrtle Beach!” on The Golf Channel and come along for the ride!

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Perry Swenson has played on the Duramed FUTURES Tour for three seasons, posting a career-best tie for fourth at the 2005 Lima Memorial Hospital FUTURES Classic in Lima, Ohio. She played collegiately at the University of Texas in Austin, and was the winner of the 2004 Doherty Cup.