Adam “AJ” Gottfried has played golf since he was five years old. He credits the sport with keeping him out of trouble and admits he wouldn’t know what to do with his life if he couldn’t play golf. The sport also features prominently on Gottfried’s radio career with Tee It Up Radio Network and the “Livin the Good Life” show that he broadcasts with his father, Alan, and Tracy Roberts, a golf instructor, from a studio in Woodland Hills. While golf was the primary focus of the show when it started more than 20 years ago, only 35 percent to 40 percent of the show’s content still revolves around the game, with other sports, lifestyle and travel topics taking up the most airtime. “We wanted to reach more people and not just golf enthusiasts,” Gottfried explained. “It is the information on everything that we like, and our listeners would tend to agree. We feature the best of the best and have a lot of fun doing it.” Airing Sunday mornings, “Livin the Good Life” broadcasts on nearly 300 radio stations. In the Los Angeles area, it airs on AM 830, the radio home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The local feed goes from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Tee It Up Radio Network distributes the show. Among the network sponsors are Kentwool, a maker of golf socks and other apparel; Callaway Golf Co., Bridgestone Golf and Ocean organic vodka, while regional sponsors include Cheesecake Factory in Calabasas and golf instruction provider Golftec, with locations in Woodland Hills and Studio City. Segments of the show include a celebrity interview and Gottfried running down what is happening in other sports. While Southern California teams receive the most attention, those from other parts of the country also get time. Travel factors in as well with the broadcasters airing shows from other states or even countries. Still, golf remains a big part of the show. Tee It Up has been aligned with all the major golf tournaments. For example, it is a media partner of next month’s LPGA tournament at the Wilshire Country Club, in Los Angeles. The network sponsors its own golf event, the Tee It Up Celebrity Golf Invitational, now in its 13th year. It takes place in October at the Woodland Hills Country Club and benefits two organizations that assist military veterans and their families. While golf is a niche sport, it has come a way in terms of attracting younger people to participate. Gottfried credits Tiger Woods with making golf more popular and points to younger players like Rickie Fowler (29 years old) and Jordan Spieth (24 years old) with bringing some excitement. “The game has gotten more fun and it’s growing,” Gottfried said. – Mark R. Madler