PowerPlay Golf, the exciting ‘two flag’ format, takes step toward levelling the playing field
HENLEY-IN-ARDEN, Warwickshire, England (May 19, 2011) – A powerful dose of gender equity is about to be injected into the game of golf.
PowerPlay Golf, the sport’s novel short-form scoring format that offers two pin placements (flags) on each green, will match women professionals against men professionals in PowerPlay Golf’s upcoming global series of tour-style competition.
U.S. Women’s Open Champion Paula Creamer headlines the women’s field in “PowerPlay Golf driven by Saab: Ignition,” which is the inaugural PowerPlay Golf televised event, on Monday, May 30, at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales (live broadcast on Golf Channel at noon EDT and re-broadcast on May 31 at 8:00 pm EDT).
One of golf’s most popular and respected role models worldwide, Creamer will be joined by Swedish international tour pros Helen Alfredsson and Caroline Hedwall in the ground-breaking event.
“I am really looking forward to taking part in PowerPlay Golf,” Creamer said. “It is wonderful that the event has such a great mix of players from the different tours. Golf needs something different and the PowerPlay Golf live TV events are certainly going to put our sport in the spotlight.”
The Memorial Day Weekend event, sponsored by Swedish motoring giant Saab, will be televised by dozens of global networks, including a live broadcast on Golf Channel and Sky Sports, to ensure the event will reach millions of homes worldwide. It marks the first stage of PowerPlay golf’s strategy to launch its innovative nine-hole, two-flag golf format, which is to debut in the United States this summer.
“Competing against the men will be tough but a lot of fun,” said Alfredsson, an LPGA Tour and Solheim Cup winner and captain, who has competed against men pros in non-tour events. “It is fantastic that PowerPlay Golf is so keen to promote a mixed format. That can only be good for the future of the women’s game at all levels.”
The three women pros will match their shot-making and strategic skills against some of the most famous names in golf, with the 12-player international field to include Hall of Fame member Gary Player of South Africa, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey of England, Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland and John Daly of the United States.
The appearance of Creamer alongside McDowell represents the first time that the reigning men’s and women’s U.S. Open Champions have competed against each other in a professional golf tournament of this calibre.
PowerPlay Golf creates an exciting new strategic spin on scoring, adding drama and an “interactive” element to the game, and allowing viewers to strategize and second-guess the players’ choices on every hole.
PowerPlay Golf competition is designed for nine holes, featuring two flagsticks on every green. There is a risk-and-reward decision to be made on each hole, as golfers choose to play to the regulation hole placement, designated by a White Flag, or try to score extra points by playing to the more difficult placement or Black Flag.
Opting for the Black Flag is called a “PowerPlay,” with each player required to designate three “PowerPlays” for the first eight holes. The ninth hole provides the chance to score bonus points, but also to lose more points than on previous holes.
Market research suggests that “PowerPlay Golf will be extremely popular among women golfers,” said Peter McEvoy, PowerPlay Golf’s Executive Director. “We are committed to including women tour players in future televised events and firmly believe the format will be a real hit with women golfers around the world.”
About PowerPlay Golf
PowerPlay Golf® is a 9-hole golf format in which golfers choose to aim for one of two flags on the green – a White Flag and a Black (‘PowerPlay’) Flag. The format is ideal for TV, enabling broadcasters to televise a complete golf tournament in less than three hours, and to increase interest among golf television audiences. In the game, golfers have limited PowerPlays, and score extra points for net birdie or better when playing to the Black Flag, thereby creating extra pressure. Golf clubs become PowerPlay Golf® Official Venues by registering on the PowerPlay Golf® website, whereupon they are sent a club pack containing PowerPlay Golf® flags and other branded materials. Golfers can register online to earn PowerPlay Dollars, enabling them to climb the PPG World Rankings and compete in user-generated PowerPlay Golf® Leagues both locally and around the world. Website: www.powerplay-golf.com
Contact:
Karen Moraghan Ed Vyeda
Hunter Public Relations/East Hunter Public Relations/West
(908) 876-5100 (831) 375-1747
karen.moraghan@hunter-pr.com evyeda@hunter-pr.com
