1 - PGA TOUR Media

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
9
SECTION
ShotLink is a revolutionary platform
for collecting and disseminating
scoring and statistical data on every
shot by every player in real-time during
every tournament round. This data asset creates improved live coverage
and more meaningful analysis. The new data creates great potential to
enhance entertainment and image of the sport across all platforms.
The development of ShotLink started in 1997 when the TOUR decided to
update its current scoring system, which was based on 1987 technology. The
TOUR, in conjunction with IBM, conducted an extensive review process to formulate
its strategy for the development and implementation of ShotLink.
Following an evaluation of more than 30 companies, additional technology and
implementation partners were identified: Information and Display Systems
(IDS), Palm, Electronic Arts, Daktronics and two mapping vendors: GeoGolf and
Geodetic Services. IBM provided overall project management, consulting services
and server and networking technologies.
ShotLink was introduced during the 2001 Buick Classic and represents the
TOUR’s scoring system for the future. The System was enhanced in 2006 with
the addition of a radar solution that accurately collects club head speed, ball
speed, launch angle and tracks the entire flight of the ball. This solution is
being installed on one tee each week. In 2007 a state-of -the-art set of LED
scoreboards were introduced at THE PLAYERS Championship. They are powered
by ShotLink and leverage the DiamondVision technology of Mitsubishi
Electric, the Official Large Outdoor Video Display Provider of the PGA TOUR.
This fan enhancement brings new information and insight to the fan in full
color, including: leaderboards, leader updates, player bio and highlight videos,
player performance metrics and shot location information. Future fan enhancements
include broadcast applications, online uses, mobile applications, on-site
presentations and new ShotLink statistics.
The accumulation, packaging and presentation of expanded shot and course
information provide the basis for numerous fan enhancements.
Current uses of ShotLink data include:
• Enhanced graphics and statistics in television broadcasts – over 2,500 incremental
broadcast mentions and graphics are aired annually due to the
ShotLink system
• Expanded information and statistics for use by media
• Powering on-site and PGATOUR.com tournament leaderboards
• Providing on-site media and hospitality access to live tournament information
• On-site wireless and kiosk applications for tournament patrons through
Tournament Tracker
• Powering mobile.pgatour.com, the PGA TOUR’s wireless application for use
on PDAs and cell phones
• Analysis of how each golf course is played to assist in course setup and in
design changes
• Increased data mining to create more interesting entertainment on PGA-
TOUR.com
PGA TOUR Wives Association, Inc. is a Florida
not-for-profit corporation organized to render support
for and provide assistance to needy children
and their families through the means of charitable
events. The Association is comprised of the wives
of professional golfers on the PGA TOUR and
Nationwide Tour, as well as individuals and corporations
that support the PGA TOUR Wives
Association, Inc.’s many charitable endeavors.
Since its incorporation in 1988, the PGA TOUR Wives Association, Inc.
has supported children’s charities across the country by raising money and
given back much to the game of golf through personal time and monetary
contributions. In addition to fundraising, members participate in Volunteer
Service Projects, performing a myriad of services ranging from Habitat
builds to cooking in soup kitchens to playing with hospitalized children in
communities where tournaments are held.
9-12
ShotLink
PGA TOUR Wives Association, Inc.
PGA TOUR 2008 Guide
• Powered the Emmy Award-winning TOURCast application on
PGATOUR.com, which launched in 2003, and will relaunch in a different
form in 2008.In addition to current uses, ShotLink provides unlimited potential
to develop fan enhancements and products over the next several years,
including:
• Enhanced and interactive television
• Internet, PC and console game enhancements
• Enhanced live data coverage and distance-related statistics information
on PGATOUR.com
Besides fan enhancements, ShotLink creates an ongoing historical archive
of statistical information. This information is available to players through the
PGA TOUR Links program, built by IBM.
The ShotLink data is collected by volunteers utilizing a combination of handheld
devices and laser range finders. Each week a team of approximately 350
volunteers dedicate approximately three man years of effort to perform this
data collection. In the course of the entire season, more than 10,000 volunteers
contribute to the success of this program.
For examples of ShotLink analysis from the 2007 season, see Section 2 as
follows:
• Longest drives. Page 2-6
• Greens in regulation/individual. Page 2-9
• Putting/individual. Page 2-12
• Par-3, Par-4, Par-5 scoring averages/individual. Page 2-16
• Total eagles, birdies/individual. Page 2-31
• Lowest rounds/individual. Page 2-38
• Highest, lowest fairway percentage by winners. Page 2-43
• Highest, lowest greens in regulation by winners. Page 2-48
• Streaks. Page 2-50
• Longest, shortest courses. Page 2-53
• Shortest, longest driving distance/course. Page 2-55
• Most, fewest putts per round/course. Page 2-57
• Putting inside 10 feet/course. Page 2-62
• Courses with hardest, easiest par 3s. Page 2-72
• Courses with hardest, easiest par 4s: Page 2-78
• Courses with hardest, easiest par 5s, Page 2-94
• Courses with lowest, highest birdie averages, Page 2-129
• Courses with highest, lowest final-round scoring averages. Page 2-133
• Shortest, longest par 3s. Page 2-150
• Shortest, longest par 4s. Page 2-157
• Shortest, longest par 5s, Page 2-160
• Toughest, easiest par 3s. Page 2-163
• Toughest, easiest par 4s. Page 2-176
• Toughest, easiest par 5s. Page 2-188
• Holes with shortest, longest driving distances, Page 2-195
• Holes with the toughest, easiest fairways to hit. Page 2-198
• Toughest, easiest par 3s to hit in regulation. Page 2-208
The PGA TOUR Wives Association, Inc. conducts numerous fundraisers
to support its charities. These include memorabilia auctions, tasting events,
concerts and other activities.
The Association’s favorite (and longest-running) fundraiser is the biennial
TOUR Wives Golf Classic, a nine-hole tournament where the wives play
golf and their husbands caddie. The TOUR Wives Golf Classic, first played in
1987, has been held at different courses around the country.
While its membership varies from year to year, the commitment of the
PGA TOUR Wives Association, Inc. to making a difference in the lives of
needy children stands strong. The Association’s dedicated members, past
and present, have reached deep into their resources to balance the demands
of family, work and travel and have given generously of themselves to realize
their ideals. For information regarding the PGA TOUR Wives Association,
please see their website at www.pgatourwives.org or contact Sara Moores
at the PGA TOUR.
PGATOUR.COM