PowerPlay Golf, golf’s new 9 hole, two flag format, last week launched its made-for-TV version, the PowerPlay Shootout, at Frilford Heath Golf Club in Oxfordshire, UK.
The event attracted wide acclaim from a specially invited audience of golf’s governing bodies, media, TV companies and commercial sponsors and, following this successful debut, discussions are now underway with various television companies to bring the format to a worldwide TV audience.
The PowerPlay Shootout features a shotgun start over the first 8 holes after which a cut is made. Those who have qualified then ‘Shootout’ down the final hole. The event lasts three hours and the format, together with PowerPlay Golf’s risk and reward scoring system, guarantees a gripping finale with lots of spectacular attacking golf along the way.
Among those participating in the pilot were ex-Ryder Cup player Steven Richardson, French Open winner Malcolm Mackenzie and World Cup player Mark Mouland. They were also joined by new lady tour pro Danielle Montgomery, and the 2006 US Kids World 8 Year Old Champion golfer, Billy Spooner from Boston in Lincolnshire.
Chief executive of PowerPlay Golf, David Hardy, said, “This was a magnificent launch for the new Shootout format, attracting a good mix of participants from top amateurs to seasoned tour players, as well as all the major broadcasters. Because it’s a shorter game and the finale is so exciting, PowerPlay Shootout will appeal to golfers and sports fans all over the world”.
The launch game culminated in Keith Waters (European Tour), bursting through the field to win the Shootout with an immaculate last-hole ‘six pointer‘, having made the cut with nine other players, including Mouland and Mackenzie.
Speaking after the final hole, Mouland, said, “PowerPlay is totally different. I can see it catching on at once. When you have a shotgun start like we saw today, a whole tournament can be done and dusted in three hours, which is brilliant.”
Co-founders of PowerPlay Golf, Peter McEvoy and David Piggins, who are already rolling out PowerPlay Golf to golf courses around the world, are now planning a 12 event PowerPlay Shootout World Series, which will bring the same fast, dynamic excitement to golf viewers which the IPL is currently doing for cricket lovers. And Sir Ian Botham is behind the recent launch of the PowerPlay Golf British Championship 2008.
PowerPlay Golf www.powerplay-golf.com