GREENi, a new player mapping service aimed at observing the pace of play in golf tournaments and allowing spectators to find exactly where players are on the course, will be showcased at The European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, this week.
Using the latest GPS technology attached to each walking scorer, GREENi tracks each group over 18 holes, providing player location data which is then used by European Tour Rules Officials to measure, monitor and manage the pace of play.
Spectators can also use GREENi to establish the exact location of their favourite player on the course through mobile devices and tablets, enhancing their experience at an event.
Launched last year, it is being employed for the first time this week over the famous West Course at Wentworth Club, where Luke Donald will defend his title at the BMW PGA Championship.
David Garland, The European Tour’s Director of Tour Operations, said: “The European Tour is, and always has been, serious about improving the pace of play at all of our tournaments and using new technology such as GREENi is another tool that could help us.”
Steve Schindler, Director of GP Sports, said: “GREENi allows us to see exactly where players are on the course at any time which can help Rules Officials to easily identify and speed up any slow groups, while the spectator experience is enhanced by the ability to know where your favourite player is on the course at any given time.
“This is the first time the service has been used at a professional event and we hope The European Tour will find it very beneficial and it can be used at many more tournaments around the world.”
European Tour professional and GREENi Ambassador Peter Lawrie said: “With the help of the GREENi service, the situation on the golf course will never again be an unknown. It is also the ideal service for tournament spectators who are able to pinpoint exactly where their favourite players are.”
To learn more about the service visit www.greeni.com
Spectators attending the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club should look for the screens around the Village and beside the Big Screen to locate their favourite player on the West Course.