MADISON, WI – The Illinois State Open Championship is the latest major golf event to use the Laser Link Distance System during competition. The tournament was contested July 31 – August 2 at The Glen Club, and came to a close with Mike Small, current University of Illinois golf coach and 2005 PGA Professional National Champion, claiming the victory. This is his third Illinois Open Championship in the last four years. Laser Link Golf was on-site at the event, and gave every player the opportunity to use the QuickShot rangefinder during their round. Players and tournament officials alike enjoyed the use of the equipment and commented on its effectiveness.
"Laser Link made it extremely easy to get my correct distance to the pin during the Illinois Open," stated Mike Small. "One click and I had the yardage! No reshooting the gun trying to hit the flag. All it took was one click!"
"We were very excited to have the Laser Link Distance System in use during the tournament," said Michael Miller, Executive Director of the Illinois PGA. "The Illinois Section has been working with Laser Link for several years now, and the System has always been a fine addition to our events. The accurate distance to the flagstick is a significant benefit to the players, and the System is so fast and easy to use that it really contributes to a faster pace of play."
The tournament took advantage of Decision 14-3/0.5, which allows a tournament committee to institute a Local Rule permitting the use of electronic distance measurement devices during play. The one restriction is that the devices must measure distance only. Any device measuring wind speed, wind direction, gradient, or any other factors that might affect play are not allowable under the Local Rule. The new Decision went into affect on January 1, 2006, and is currently in use by more than 50 state and local golf organizations around the country.
"It’s always exciting to have a golf organization such as the Illinois Section of the PGA use our product during one of their majors," said Dan Steiner, Vice President, Laser Link Golf. "Knowing that the best players in Illinois have the confidence that our System will provide them with yardage measurements both quickly and accurately simply reaffirms the belief that our target-specific system is the best way to measure distance."
About Laser Link Golf
Laser Link Golf is the producer of the Laser Link Distance System, the revolutionary distance measurement system designed specifically for golf. The laser-based system utilizes two components – a handheld laser rangefinder and a flagstick-based reflector – to determine the exact distance to the flagstick. Laser Link Golf products include the popular QuickShotâ?¢ rangefinder, the SmartStickâ?¢ reflector system, and the Smartyâ?¢ flagstick reflector. The System is designed to speed up play and add enjoyment to the game. It is in use at more than 1,000 private clubs around the country, and several more daily fee courses. Laser Link Golf is based in Madison, WI, and is owned and operated by many of the same individuals that started SoftSpikes®. They are involved in Laser Link Golf for the same reason they got involved in SoftSpikes® – both are good for the game!
Contact:
Mary Beth Lacy
(760) 202-1181
E-Mail: mb@mblacy.com
Corporate Information:
Dan Steiner
5237 Verona Road, Madison, WI 53713
608-249-4653
608-249-7474 (Fax)
www.laserlinkgolf.com
