SkyCaddie to provide real-time GPS information
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 26, 2007- The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the Golf Channel have each partnered with SkyGolf, makers of the SkyCaddie® GPS rangefinder, to provide enhanced, real-time information to viewers during live LPGA tournament broadcasts. Analysts will be utilizing SkyCaddie® rangefinders to provide real-time information to viewers of LPGA telecasts on ESPN2 and the Golf Channel, beginning with the Golf Channel’s broadcast of the SBS Open at Turtle Bay, Feb. 15-17.
Viewers will be given comprehensive information, including players’ driving distances and positioning, such as distances needed to clear or lay up in front of fairway hazards. The inclusion of this cutting-edge technology and production enhancement represents the first time advanced GPS technology will play such an integral role during LPGA golf broadcasts. The SkyCaddie® rangefinders use the same global positioning system used by the U.S. military, but in a highly portable handheld device about the size of a cell phone that can compute distances to any point on a golf course.
"We are very excited to be working with the LPGA and the Golf Channel to provide a unique perspective to viewers that will help showcase the remarkable talents of these highly skilled professional athletes," said SkyGolf CEO Richard Edmonson. "These partnerships will help bring to life the amazing feats that occur each week on the LPGA Tour, such as crushing 275 yard drives and pinpoint approach shots."
"Our research has shown that our viewers are looking for more statistics and information about the great play on the LPGA Tour," said LPGA Commissioner Carolyn F. Bivens. "We are pleased to team with SkyCaddie to bring enhanced information to our tournament broadcasts. SkyCaddie’s portability and easy-to-use technology will make broadcast implementation seamless, allowing our broadcast partners to clearly illustrate why LPGA players are some of the best athletes in the world."
"The LPGA is extremely popular right now, featuring gifted players and intense competition each week," said the Golf Channel’s Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales and New Media Gene Pizzolato. "We’re proud to be expanding our production capabilities of LPGA telecasts by incorporating the proven performance of the SkyCaddie into our broadcasts to bring exciting real-time information to our viewers like never before."
About SkyGolf
SkyGolf is a solutions integrator that leverages the convergence of proven technologies, including GPS, Internet, mobile handsets and proprietary content to provide an instant answer to the oldest question in golf, "How far?" While respecting the game’s traditions and history, SkyGolf is committed to using its advanced technology responsibly to improve pace-of-play, enhance golfers’ enjoyment of the game and ultimately increase participation for the good of the game.
The SkyCaddie, developed by SkyGolf, is used on over 14,000 golf courses in 45 countries around the world. Weighing less than 5 ounces, the SkyCaddie utilizes the same global positioning system used by the U.S. military, but in a highly portable handheld device, about the size of a cell phone, to compute distances to any point on a golf course. SkyGolf uses professional, high-performance GPS engines, satellite-based accuracy augmentation, plus proprietary accuracy enhancements to provide golfers with the distances needed to play smarter, faster and have more fun!
The proven reliability and accuracy of the SkyCaddie handheld, combined with the precision of SkyGolf’s vast course library, gives golfers the trust and confidence they need to play their best golf. For more information, visit www.skygolf.com.
About the Ladies Professional Golf Association
Featuring the world’s best women golfers, the LPGA’s membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2007 features 35 events, with total prize money of nearly $55 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $180 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world’s pre-eminent women’s professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. In addition to the LPGA Tour members, the LPGA membership includes nearly 1,200 certified Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP) who serve the golf industry in teaching, coaching and management positions. The LPGA T&CP member programs focus on increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.
About the Golf Channel
The Golf Channel (www.GolfChannel.com), co-founded by Arnold Palmer and a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMSK), is available in more than 100 million homes worldwide through cable, satellite and wireless companies. It features a programming schedule that includes more live golf coverage than all other networks combined, as well as news, instruction and original productions, such as the popular The Big Break. The Golf Channel, which will televise a generous schedule of LPGA Tour events in 2007, also this year became the exclusive cable home of the PGA TOUR, televising part or all of every official-money event. In addition, the network is the exclusive television home of the Nationwide Tour, European Tour and Canadian Tour, and the exclusive cable home of the Champions Tour. Also featured is a mix of other competition from the USGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour of Southern Africa.
Contact:
Connie Wilson, LPGA
386-274-6271
connie.wilson@lpga.com
Chris Myers, SkyGolf
601-209-1315
cmyers@skyhawke.com
Dan Higgins, Golf Channel
(407) 355-4018
dhiggins@tgcinc.com
