Thursday, January 17, 2013

Joe Schmo is one of us

I just got off the phone with Joe Schmo. Or, as he is known to his friends and colleagues in our industry, Chase Rogan.

Chase, an agronomist from Pittsburgh, is the star of the new Spike TV series Joe Schmo: The Full Bounty. If you're not familiar with the concept of the show, it's a fake reality show. I know, aren't all reality shows fake? But this one, all of the competitors on the show are actors playing a role… except for the "Joe" who doesn't know that the other competitors are actors and that the whole thing is a sham. On this new season, which airs on Tuesdays on Spike, Chase is the Joe.

It makes for pretty funny TV, actually.

Rogan owns Pure Turf Consulting in Pittsburgh. He's got an M.S. from Penn State and is working on a few research projects right now, including one on snow mold.

So is Chase looking to change careers, and become a professional bounty hunter, which is the grand prize of the show?

"No," he laughs. "I was in it to win the $100,000."

So… did he win the money?


"Sorry, I can't talk about that," he sighs. Gotta watch the show, after all. New episodes are airing every week.

Fame hasn't quite found him yet... he's only been recognized once, when he was out with his wife and in-laws at dinner and someone asked him if he was Joe Schmo. But he hopes, as the series continues to run (and re-run) that it will help his career.

"I hope it has a big impact on my career, I'm hoping people will see it and at least want to talk to me so I can continue to broaden my network," Rogan says. "I'm all about meeting new people and I'm hoping this is a door that opens to allow me to do that, to broaden my network to meet new people."

Rogan will be happy to meet you at the Golf Industry Show in San Diego. We'll see if we can get him to stop by for an unofficial visit at the Golfdom booth so everyone can say hi.

We'll have a complete interview with Rogan in the February issue of Golfdom. For now, you'll just have to tune in on Tuesdays to cheer on our pal, Joe Schmo, professional agronomist.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck Joe! I hope this helps your career, your drive in the show, good nature, and overall positive vibe should do you well. Just don't let anything get to your head and ego!

Anonymous said...

Chase is the entire reason i watch the show. Im completely hooked on Joe Schmo! I hope Chase was given the money, he's earned it. He's got a great attitude!

Anonymous said...

Chase IS awesome. Soooo sweet, honest, and trustworthy. I don't even know what an argonist (spelling?) but I bet he is a good one!!