Golf has had its fair share of negative press, over the years, related to gender inequality. That could be about to change.
PowerPlay Golf, the sport’s new short-form version which uses two flags on each green, is attempting to improve golf’s at times chauvinistic image by letting female professionals take on their male counterparts in its forthcoming global series of Tour-style golf events – the first time a tournament of this stature has made such a commitment.
Women’s US Open Champion Paula Creamer will be the headline act from the ladies’ game in PowerPlay Golf driven by Saab: Ignition, which is the inaugural PowerPlay Golf televised professional event at The Celtic Manor Resort, City Of Newport, Wales, on Bank Holiday Monday May 30th 2011 at 1700 BST.
Creamer is a popular and glamorous role model for ladies’ golf worldwide, and will take on some of the most famous names in golf such as Gary Player, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey and John Daly in a stellar 12-person field. The inaugural TV event, sponsored by Swedish motoring giants Saab, will be shown by dozens of global TV networks – including a live broadcast on Sky Sports – ensuring the event will reach millions of homes worldwide and marks the first stage of PowerPlay golf’s strategy to launch its innovative nine-hole, two-flag golfing format worldwide.
“I am really looking forward to taking part in PowerPlay Golf. It is wonderful that the event has such a great mix of players. Golf needs something different and this is certainly going to put our sport in the spotlight” commented Creamer, whose appearance alongside Graeme McDowell in the event represents the first time that the current Men’s and Women’s US Open Champions have competed against each other in a professional golf tournament of this status.
Swedish tour pros Helen Alfredsson and Caroline Hedwall will join Creamer as the other two female golfers in the event. “Competing against the men will be tough but a lot of fun. It is fantastic that PowerPlay Golf is so keen to promote a mixed format as that can only be good for the future of the women’s game at all levels” commented Solheim Cup winner Alfredsson. A view echoed by Peter McEvoy, PowerPlay Golf’s Executive Director: “Our pilot schemes and extensive research suggest that PowerPlay Golf will be extremely popular amongst lady golfers. We are committed to including female tour players in future televised events and firmly believe the format will be a real hit with lady golfers at amateur level.”
PowerPlay Golf is an exciting new short-form of the game which will captivate all TV sports fans. Played over nine holes, with two flags on every green, golfers use a limited number of ‘PowerPlays’ to score extra points when aiming at the harder Black Flag, creating exciting risk-and-reward decisions on each tee.
PowerPlay Golf www.powerplay-golf.com