Golf: Cablevision is killing my father

In New Jersey, there are two major cable television providers -- Comcast and Cablevision.

Like many utilities, we don't have a choice between the providers.

It's all about location, location, location.

Until recently moving out of my parent's house, I've lived in Cablevision Nazi Germany my whole life.

Now, I should initially alleviate all questions.

I've never been a Comcast employee, nor even an advocate, but I will give them the upper hand for one specific reason; channel 59, the Golf Channel.

For years my father and I have writing letters, made calls, and even visited Cablevision offices to inquire why they don't carry it.

Our local golf course has a petition signed by hundreds of golfers who crave more golf than ABC can provide addressed to Cablevision of Monmouth.

We have never been given the option of even paying extra for this station, and we have never been given an explanation.

The demand is absolutely there, the dollars are there, the customers have been waiting patiently (somewhat) for years now to be able to watch U.S. Open highlights at 3:15 in the morning.

Sometimes, my father drives 45 minutes to visit me- but I know it's just so he can catch a few golf lessons or British Open highlights in my living room.

When I can find nothing else to watch on my 299 other digital cable channels (which happens more often than you'd think), I can always tune in to a story about Phil's new swing, or watch Tiger grovel back to Bruce Harmon.

My father doesn't have that.

I'm curing my hook while my father chooses between SoapNet, Lifetime, Women's Entertainment, or about 10 other home and garden programs.

All my father wants out of life is to give his sons everything he can, and the Golf Channel.

As it is, he's 1-for-2.

My father is miserable Monday-Wednesday, and gets just enough network golf to stay above water Thursday-Sunday.

Of course, when ABC cuts away from the Buick Classic playoff to air "America's Funniest Home Video's," I have to talk him away the ledge.

Why do you do it Cablevision?

Most men my father's age have midlife crises and they buy a sports car.

My dad's crisis is going to force him to move a few miles east just to live in the Land of the Free, Home of the Comcast Subscriber's.

My father isn't dead, but he won't be alive until he can call me on a Tuesday afternoon, tell me to flip to channel 59, and show me proof that I am indeed swinging too fast.